Short Takes: Deductions
Can I deduct an employee’s remaining debt from a final paycheck?
Archives
Court Proceedings: Help—I Have to Give a Deposition!
I’ve been summoned to give a deposition related to a lawsuit filed against our company. What tips do you have to help me to prepare? — Sharon, HR Manager in West Sacramento
You’re the Expert: How can we help our employees confront co-workers whose actions make them uncomfortable?
Many of our employees are not confronting coworkers whose actions make them uncomfortable. How can we help them to take this all-important step in preventing harassment?
Hiring: Do We Need to Wait Until All Checks Are Complete to Make an Offer of Employment?
We know that we’re supposed to make a “genuine” offer of employment before we require medical tests and so on. But what do we do when we are waiting for one more reference to come back or the results of a background check? (We can do the background check before the offer, right?) Do we […]
COLA and Merit Raises: Can We Stop Giving COLA Raises to Substandard Employees?
We tend to give employees two types of raises. First, everyone gets a COLA raise on July 1. It’s the same percentage for everyone. Then we also give annual merit raises on anniversary dates. My question is, can we start not giving the COLA raise to substandard employees? Is there a better way to structure […]
Flu Epidemic: Can You Help Me with a Concrete Plan for a Possible Flu Epidemic?
I need some help with creating a plan for coping with a possible avian flu epidemic. My boss wants a concrete plan—she thinks our operations could be hit hard if the flu comes. A few issues back you gave us a website for avian flu information, which I’ve visited. But now, can you give some […]
Employment Law Tip: Are Telecommuters Taking Breaks?
It’s no secret that wage and hour lawsuits are multiplying, and they often challenge an employer’s practices with respect to required meal and rest breaks. But even if you’ve taken steps to comply with Labor Code and Wage Order break rules, you might have forgotten to check up on breaks for one segment of your […]
Hiring: New Law Addresses Revoked Contractors’ Licenses
A new law aimed at construction safety will make it harder for a contractor whose license has been revoked to simply turn around and work under the license of another business. The law takes effect on Jan. 1, 2007.
Disability Bias: Deaf UPS Drivers Win ADA Suit
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that United Parcel Service (UPS) violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by maintaining a qualification standard that screened out deaf drivers, where the company could not show that the standard was required for business reasons.
ERI 2006 Great California Workplace Award Winners Announced
The Employer Resource Institute has announced the winners of the ERI 2006 Great California Workplace Award contest. The Award recognizes California employers of all sizes that have implemented unique, innovative, or exceptionally effective programs that make them stand out.