Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
By Christopher L. Thomas The federal government is making it clear to employers that immigration enforcement is a priority for the Obama administration, and that employers failing to comply with the law face severe consequences. On November 19, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sent out a notice that it intends to audit the I-9 […]
If a recent news release from U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis is any indication, 2010 may prove to be a year of ramped-up enforcement from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). In her November 19 statement, Secretary Solis sent a clear message about the enforcement and outreach efforts occurring within the DOL’s Wage and […]
You know that employees are entitled to reimbursement for work-related expenses. You’ve set up policies and procedures for employees to report expenses and request reimbursement. But what if employees don’t follow your rules? According to a recent federal District Court opinion, that doesn’t matter: They’re still entitled to be reimbursed. 400+ pages of state-specific, easy-read […]
Litigation Value: $0. For the second week running, our favorite paper company largely avoided any obvious liability on the employment law front. In fact, Dunder Mifflin may have a (nominal) claim of its own against Michael Scott and his road-tripping entourage, based on their unauthorized limousine frolic. If this were a securities or bankruptcy law […]
By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady The best way to deal with difficult employees is to avoid hiring them, advises attorney Dan Forman. BLR® founder and CEO Bob Brady says that while Forman is half-joking, he makes the serious point that difficult employees usually start out that way. They do not become different people […]
After weeks of negotiating, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) finally unveiled a highly anticipated health care reform bill Wednesday night called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The 2,074-page bill is a combination of two different health care reform bills approved by Senate committees earlier this year. Reid revealed the Senate bill […]
Sometimes it’s easy to overlook all the things that bless our lives. I mean, we’re suffering through the worst recession in decades. Unemployment has reached double digits. And we have troops abroad fighting a war. All of these things have either affected you directly or indirectly. Maybe you or someone close to you is currently unemployed. It […]
U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Connecticut) and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut) introduced legislation yesterday that would guarantee paid sick leave for employees infected by the H1N1 virus (also known as “swine flu”). The legislation would take effect 15 days after being signed into law but would end after two years. According to Dodd and DeLauro’s […]
Yesterday’s Advisor featured the EEOC’s advice for avoiding ADA problems when preparing for swine flu. Today, we’ll get the agency’s advice about work practices, and an introduction to a special program for smaller HR departments. Here’s more from the EEOC’s Q&A: During a pandemic, may we require our employees to adopt infection control practices? EEOC: […]
Earlier this year, the United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced that it would be stepping up its immigration enforcement efforts. This week, the federal agency began its surprise investigation program, which will result in the unannounced inspection of more than 40,000 employers nationwide.