Category: HR Management & Compliance

There are dozens of details to take care of in the day-to-day operation of your department and your company. We give you case studies, news updates, best practices and training tips that keep your organization fully in compliance with ever-changing employment law, and you fully aware of emerging HR trends.

Supreme Court

Supreme Court Ends Affirmative Action in University Admissions

In two related cases, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on June 29 that using race as a factor in university admissions violates both the 14th Amendment of the Constitution and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. At the root of the Court’s decision is a profound questioning of whether “diversity” and […]

HR Works Podcast: Get Your Workforce PWFA-Ready!

Guest: Darci Dunn, President of EssentialHr – HR Done Right With the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) taking effect on June 27th, the onus is on HR departments to review their accommodation policies for their U.S.-based employees during pregnancy and childbirth. So what does the PWFA entail and what do organizations and their HR teams […]

Remove Invisible Burdens That Are Holding Your Employees Back

Sometimes the causes of stress and burnout are obvious. A looming deadline, a sick child, or financial insecurity can all add to a person’s mental health burden. But there are other elements of our daily lives that affect mental well-being in more subtle ways. Sensory health, which goes beyond the traditional five senses to address […]

Wage and Hour Law: Designed for the 1920s, Applied in the 21st Century

The fundamental premise of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is that all employees are covered by its base requirements. This includes being paid minimum wage for every hour worked and time and one-half for all overtime. The FLSA is a statute of inclusion, which means all employees are covered unless they fit within specific, […]

Religious Accommodation: SCOTUS Approaching Decision on Title VII ‘Undue Hardship’ Standard

On April 18, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case involving a former U.S. Postal Service (USPS) worker who was denied a religious accommodation to observe his sabbath. The broad implications of a decision that favors the former worker could change the analysis for employers when assessing employee requests for religious […]

How to Maintain Compliance and Confidentiality in HR

The HR department is critical in ensuring companies comply with employment laws and regulations while maintaining employee confidentiality. Failure to maintain compliance and privacy can have great legal and financial repercussions for the company. Therefore, HR departments need to implement measures that ensure compliance and confidentiality. Here we’ll discuss compliance and privacy in the HR […]

Case Study: Can Employers Be Liable for Customers’ Behavior?

Typically, harassment claims involve allegations that an individual has been harassed by a coworker or supervisor. A recent case involving an Illinois casino demonstrates the importance of employers guarding against potential harassment by non-employees as well. Cornered at the Beer Tub Laura Wong worked as a beverage server at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, Illinois. […]

NLRB

How Employers Can Prepare as Union Organizing Rises

The overall percentage of private sector unionization dipped slightly (by .2%) in 2022, but labor unions made strides in organizing new workers. In 2022, unions won more elections to represent private sector employees than in any year since 2005. They also won a record-high 76% of all elections held, buoyed by numerous victories in the […]

Stress Much? Study Shows How Legal Issues Impact Employees

Let’s be honest: Today’s employees have been through a lot in the last few years. On the heels of the pandemic and dealing with surging inflation, mass layoffs, and political discord, workers’ stress levels have climbed to new heights. When a complicated family matter or taxing financial struggle turns into a legal issue, it can […]

Special Delivery: Considerations for Pregnant Employees

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 (PDA) makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against pregnant employees and requires reasonable accommodations for an employee’s known limitations related to pregnancy or childbirth. Let’s look at how the PDA and the PWFA affect employers who have pregnant employees. We’ll be using West Virginia’s version as an example, […]