Tag: Paid Time Off

How to Develop a Stress-Free Company Culture (Part 1)

Businesses lose hundreds of billions annually in healthcare costs, missed workdays, and lost productivity due to stress employees experience in the workplace. According to one study, 52% of employees admit to calling in sick because they’re stressed out. And 60%–80% of accidents that occur on the job are due to distractions or sleepiness caused by […]

How to stay off the DOL’s naughty list during the holiday season

by Julie A. Moore Even without the eggnog fog and the distracting visions of sugar plums dancing through everyone’s heads at this time of year, the holidays can be a tricky time for complying with employment laws related to wage and hour and leave issues. Here are some FAQs we typically see from HR professionals […]

Paid time off: Not always as simple as it sounds

Marking up that 2017 calendar to note important dates and deadlines? Here’s one to note in red—January 31 is National Plan for Vacation Day, a day the people behind an initiative called “Project: Time Off” have set as a day to encourage hardworking and devoted employees to plan some rest and relaxation.  The travel-related industries […]

North Dakota eases PTO payout rules

by Lisa Edison-Smith Because of new legislation taking effect August 1, private-sector employers in North Dakota will find it easier to avoid paying out unused paid time off (PTO) or vacation time when employees quit. Under the old law, an employer was required to pay a departing employee for any PTO or vacation time that […]

Model notice for new Massachusetts paid sick leave law published

by Kimberly A. Klimczuk The Massachusetts attorney general (AG) has published a model notice that employers may use to fulfill their obligations to notify employees about the state’s new earned sick leave law that goes into effect on July 1. In addition, the AG has issued a new “safe harbor” notice that makes it easier […]

‘Safe harbor’ available for Massachusetts paid sick time law

The Massachusetts attorney general has announced a “safe harbor” provision that may provide relief to at least some employers covered by the state’s new earned sick time law. The law, which voters approved in the November 4, 2014, election, takes effect on July 1, but the safe harbor gives some employers until January 1, 2016, […]

Employee wage, time off, and benefit issues that arrive with winter storms

by Leanne Mehrman, Sal Simao, and Joanna Rich Much of the country suffered through punishing storms this past winter, and it has already started again. While fresh snowfall on a crisp winter day can be a beautiful thing, snowy and icy driving conditions are usually a little less charming, especially for employers whose employees aren’t […]

Is Your Employee Handbook a Legal Time Bomb?

Hunter Lott is an HR practitioner dedicated to the “rights of management.” His handbook remarks below came during his “Please Sue Me” session at a recent Society for Human Resource Management Conference and Exposition.

Set Boundaries to Make PTO Work

Marques, an associate in the New York office of Holland & Knight LLP, offered her PTO tips at a recent webinar sponsored by BLR® and HR Hero®. Make sure that all parts of the company are on the same page. Payroll, posted policies, and employment handbooks should all agree, says Marques. Make sure the payroll […]

Q&A on PTO policies in California

Administering a new PTO policy can be tricky, especially in California where accrued vacation days are counted as accrued wages. It’s imperative to understand how PTO days are treated under the law. In a recent CER webinar, Dan Chammas talked about the differences between vacation policies and PTO policies. He then answered questions on avoiding […]