Tag: human resources

Does the ‘Praise in Public, Correct in Private’ Logic Apply to E-Mail?

Public shaming was once a legitimate means of sharing examples of undesirable behavior to the broader group. Whether it was branding an adulterer with a scarlet letter in puritanical times or the more recent practice of hardline managers who dress down underperforming employees in front of the team, the idea is that public correction or […]

Insurance and Benefit Policy Trends for 2022

As employers evaluate their benefits packages for the coming year, the past 2 years are going to play a significant role in that conversation. Before the pandemic, setting health insurance rates followed a formulaic pattern. But, with COVID-19 throwing healthcare costs for a 2-year loop, finding a relevant comparable year on which to set premiums […]

7 Ways to Identify and Combat Employee Burnout

As the end of the year approaches and we’re continuing to battle the changing realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses in all sectors are working hard to finish on a high note. But this year, many of the skilled hourly workers that restaurants, retail, and warehouses are depending on for the busy holiday seasons are […]

Timing Matters: Employee Fired During FMLA Leave for Months-Old Problems

Though the following case is still in its infancy, it tees up several common concerns in employment litigation. A new supervisor arrives on the scene and starts pointing out performance problems for the first time (calling into question the veracity of the critique). The employee goes out on leave for medical conditions. The employer decides […]

Does Remote Work Mean the Death of Office Perks?

In the Information Age, companies’ most valuable asset is their human capital. Organizations compete aggressively to hire the best and brightest employees because those employees help their company outperform competitors through their ability to innovate and strategize. Therefore, it’s not surprising that companies try to get as much value as they can from these employees, […]

COVID-19

Maine Vaccine Mandate Wins Supreme Court Battle but May Lose the War

Maine can move ahead and enforce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate against designated healthcare employees after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to grant an injunction to a group of affected workers on Friday, when the statute was supposed to take effect. The employees had challenged the law because it doesn’t allow a religious exemption. 4 Takeaways […]

Employers of Tipped Workers Advised to Be Ready for More Recordkeeping

Employers that take advantage of the “tip credit” will have to monitor and document their tipped employees’ tasks much more closely than they have in the past under a new rule from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The new rule, which takes effect December 28, says employers may take a tip credit only for […]

Poised to Make Her Mark in the DEI Space

For so many of the diversity and inclusion leaders we speak with, a formative time in their careers was during higher education. This is due at least in part to the fact that DEI efforts are still relatively novel in the corporate world, and many of the new ideas, strategies and practices used by DEI […]

Recognizing Mental Health’s Importance

The pandemic has disrupted lives, communities, and businesses around the world. It has also laid bare some severe economic and social issues, including mental health. Research shows that the pandemic increased adverse mental health conditions for many. In fact, a new Conference Board survey shows that 57% of workers say their mental health has declined […]

Rare Exception to FAA Kills Arbitration Clause

The Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) enforces certain arbitration agreements involving federal law, including some employment disputes and claims against employers under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). But is an arbitration agreement that prohibits an individual from seeking relief provided by federal statute still enforceable? The U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals […]