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independent contractor

DOL Rescinds Joint Employment, Independent Contractor Guidance

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has withdrawn two major Obama-era guidance documents, one addressing joint employment and one on independent contractors. The move, while not a surprise, is good news for employers, according to H. Juanita Beecher, of counsel with Fortney & Scott and an editor of Federal Employment Law Insider. The Obama administration […]

vacation

U.S. Workers Only Using Half of Eligible Vacation Time

While many Americans are preparing for summer vacations, many are likely not. According to a new survey from Glassdoor, the average U.S. employee (of those who receive vacation/paid time off) has only taken about half (54%) of his or her eligible vacation time/paid time off in the past 12 months. This is relatively consistent with […]

Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment Prevention: The Easiest Thing to Teach and the Hardest Thing to Accomplish

When we reported last year about the ouster of recently deceased Fox News chairman Roger Ailes, we noted that Ailes’ repeated pattern of “couch casting” didn’t occur in a vacuum; rather, it sent a message throughout the organization that sexually harassing behavior was condoned at the highest level. We noted that it would take more to […]

Sick leave

Paid Sick Leave for Employees in Chicago Area Effective July 1

Most employers in Chicago and Cook County will be required to offer paid sick leave beginning July 1. The city of Chicago passed a sick leave ordinance last summer, and Cook County (where Chicago is located) passed a nearly identical law in October. The ordinances apply to all businesses that are located in the city […]

Wellness programs

Tips for Improving Employee Participation in Wellness Programs

Many employers offer employee wellness programs with the intent of improving overall employee health levels. Improving employee health has the long-term benefit reducing unplanned absences and can even boost productivity. It can reduce healthcare costs for the employee, which then may, in turn, reduce healthcare benefit costs for everyone. It can have the added benefit […]

Expect Robust College Hiring

Job opportunities should be plentiful for the college Class of 2017, which is good news for graduates. However, two recent surveys suggest employers face stiff competition when recruiting these candidates.

Training for Hiring Managers: Be Realistic During Recruiting Process

It’s only natural to highlight the organization’s strengths, internal growth opportunities, and positive work environment while wooing job candidates. However, exaggerating the positive can create unrealistic expectations. Turnover will result once new hires figure out that they were promised more than the organization can deliver.