Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
What right do employers have to access personal e-mail records or personal e-mail accounts that are on company-owned computers? — Robert, HR Manager in L.A. Technology-related privacy concerns are on the rise for nearly every HR professional. We sought Trey Wichmann’s views on this question. In this situation, the employer’s rights depend […]
We seem to have come across a conflict related to exempt employee leave banks. We want to deduct from our exempt employees’ leave banks for partial-day absences. We understand that the California Labor Commissioner has indicated that accrued leave time may not be used to replace salary for partial-day absences. However, I see that a […]
Can our nonexempt employees make up time missed by working extra hours another day without our having to pay overtime?
When we are hiring, we run a DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) check on the applicants. If it shows a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) conviction five years or more in the past, we usually go ahead and hire the person. But if the DUI is within five years, we don’t hire the person. I’m […]
We are a small California business with 14 employees. We are not supposed to be subject to FMLA, but our lawyer says we are. This is because we have FMLA eligibility information included in our handbook. But the eligibility clause clearly states that “employees who work at a location where the Company employs fewer than […]
We had a serious discrimination and retaliation claim. The underlying claim got dismissed but the retaliation claim stuck. I think there’s another one in the offing. How can we train our managers and supervisors to avoid retaliation?
Some of our male employees—our salesmen—have been coming in looking very shaggy, and we’ve even gotten a few customer complaints. We’d like to implement a policy that men have to keep their hair at collar length or shorter. Any problems with this?— Frustrated HR Manager in Fresno
I make a lot of employment decisions in the average day, and I’m just not sure of all the laws that cover each type of action. My question is, if I’m acting in good faith, in what circumstances could I be held personally liable for my actions? Thanks for your help.— Rose Ann, HR Specialist […]
We’re having some problems with our sick leave policy. When people get to the end of their sick leave and have to stay out sick, what happens? I guess that if they are nonexempt, they just don’t get paid. But for exempt people, can I give them an unpaid personal day and deduct a day […]