Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
There is something interesting about watching an old, beloved show for the first time years after the release of its final season. You miss the excitement of watching new episodes contemporaneously with other fans. But if the show you’ve chosen months or years after the fact is indeed worth watching, you should enjoy it just […]
Understanding overtime exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) can be one of the more challenging responsibilities HR professionals face. The complexity of exempt classifications—particularly for executive, administrative, and professional employees—requires diligence, especially as roles and salary thresholds evolve. On September 11, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling in Mayfield v. U.S. Department […]
In August 2024, the California Supreme Court decided Stone v. Alameda Health System, which clarified that the meal and rest break requirements of the California Labor Code at sections 226.7 and 512 and other Labor Code provisions do not apply to public employers. The Court also held that the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) penalty […]
Over the last decade, numerous laws have been enacted across the U.S. to advance pay equity and transparency in the workplace. Pay data reporting laws, in particular, have gained significant momentum, becoming a key driver of progress toward fairer compensation practices. Several U.S. states, including California and Illinois, have enacted pay data reporting laws, while […]
It’s open enrollment season: time for HR professionals to help employees evaluate and make important decisions about their health and financial benefits. Among those choices are flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs), popular options that can play a central role in protecting the health and financial futures of employees. To make it […]
In American culture and social settings, it’s long been taboo to discuss one’s salary. Sharing that information around those who earn more can make the lower earner feel inferior. Sharing with those who earn less can feel like gloating. More broadly, most people feel it isn’t anyone else’s business how much they make. But things […]
Whistleblower protections are crucial for maintaining ethical standards and ensuring employee compliance within organizations. Whistleblowers play a vital role in uncovering misconduct that might otherwise stay hidden, thereby safeguarding the integrity and reputation of the company. Despite the significant risks whistleblowers face, their actions are essential in promoting transparency and accountability. HR departments have a […]
We have been monitoring and awaiting the Supreme Court’s ruling on (what is known as) the Chevron doctrine. You can read more about the doctrine here. On June 28, the Supreme Court issued its decision and overruled the doctrine, which had been in place for more than four decades. For a number of reasons, this decision has and […]
Maria Melendez‘s path to human capital leadership is a testament to her unwavering dedication to fostering positive workplace dynamics. Originally from Venezuela, her journey began with a local food company, where she discovered her passion for HR while gaining foundational skills. This early exposure to union challenges sparked her interest in the complexities of employee […]
Gender-affirming care allows individuals to align their outward, physical traits with their inner gender identity. This care can include a range of social, psychological, behavioral, and medical treatments to help individuals develop harmony between their mental, social, emotional, and physical states. This type of care is recognized as medically necessary by major medical organizations, including […]