Month: May 2014

If You Can’t Deduct, What Can You Do? (No More PTO)

Yesterday’s Advisor explored the challenges of dealing with exempt employees who have exhausted their paid time off (PTO). Today, if deducting pay is not an option, what is? Here’s how to approach the situation: First, if it is important for the employees to be in the office during consistent work hours, make sure that is […]

Lessons in Commitment from the Restroom

The first man thinks it over for a minute. He then pulls his wallet out of his pocket, withdraws a $100 bill and tosses it into the urinal! The second man stands in amazement at what he has just seen. He asks, “What are you doing? Why would you do that? You just made your […]

Do Your Employees Get a Charge Out of Your Electrical Safety Training?

Training can help you ensure that your workers don’t become a part of these shocking statistics: According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics compiled by the Electrical Safety Foundation International, from 2003 to 2010, more than 1,600 people died and more than 20,000 were injured because of work-related electrical accidents. What are […]

Understanding FMLA Basics

Is your organization subject to the requirements of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)? Do all of your employees qualify? What would it take for both your organization and your employees to qualify? And what does all of this mean in terms of employer obligations?

Corporate

6 Traits of Effective Leaders

"Progressive employers seek to become the employer of choice as a means to secure a competitive advantage in the marketplace for attracting, retaining and promoting top talent." Mary Anne Kennedy highlighted in a recent BLR webinar. But how do you become an employer of choice? What differentiates a good employer from an average one? Often, […]

EPA Official Wastes Hours Viewing ToXic Websites

Employees of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are supposed to study things that are nasty. But as an agency official was spending way too much time on his computer on a shared website, a special agent who walked by got a toxic surprise.

‘My Exempt Employee Has No PTO but Needs Time Off’

PTO banks can be a great way to simplify time off requests. They can also be a way to ensure that salaried employees do not take advantage of their salaried status and take time off without boundaries. However, when poorly administered, PTO can cause employees to lose their exemptions. PTO helps to bridge the gap […]

Who’s working at home, and is home the proper place?

Workers who battle drive-time traffic, spend a significant portion of a paycheck at the gas station, and fight the distracting hubbub of the office may dream of working amid the comforts of home. There’s no frustrating commute, no office annoyances. But a good many telecommuters worry that they’re missing something because they’re isolated from colleagues. […]