Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
We’re reworking our evaluation process and want to make sure we’re appraising workers properly. What should we keep in mind? And how should we address supervisors who procrastinate in completing the evaluations? That’s often a problem for us. Thank you. —Caroline M., HR Director in Oxnard
We have several employees who punch in early or late, anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes at either end. They say they are “getting their workstations ready” or “finishing up.” Their supervisors have informed me that the overtime is not authorized and should not be paid. But I think I have to pay it if […]
A California appeals court has rejected a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by a former State Farm insurance agent, ruling that the insurer could terminate the agent at will under the terms of an agency/employment agreement—even though the agreement didn’t use the term “at will.”
We have a service repair technician who is required to repair 12 instruments a year, but due to a three-month Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) absence was only able to repair six. May we view him as an unsatisfactory performer and reduce his merit raise? — Anonymous
Employers must give employees written notice of their possible right to take an Earned Income Tax Credit on their federal tax returns, as required by a new California law, A.B. 650, that took effect on January 1. The new provision applies to all employers and employees covered by California’s unemployment insurance law.
I’m trying to get a wellness program going in our company but I can’t seem to get top management to “get it.” Can you help out by outlining why wellness is important— something even our VPs can understand?— Stephen P., Manager of People, San Francisco
We’re having a devil of a time figuring out precisely how to pay our nonexempt employees when they travel. If they travel by air and stay overnight, do we start paying as soon as they leave their house for the airport? Then let’s say the plane lands at 7 p.m., they go to the hotel, […]
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued a new fact sheet explaining how federal nondiscrimination laws apply to employer tests and other selection procedures—such as personality tests, medical exams, and credit checks—used to screen applicants for hire and employees for promotion. The fact sheet also spotlights “best practices” employers can follow to avoid […]