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.

Walking the Tightrope of He Said/She Said

There’s not much trickier than investigating "he said/she said" accusations. The key to dealing with these situations, says attorney Rebecca Speer, is to do everything reasonably in your power to uncover "corroborating evidence," that is, information that would support the complainant’s—or the accused’s—version of events. "In my experience," Speer says, "Even the most starkly seeming […]

Are You Paying the Right Overtime Rate?

Under both California and federal law, nonexempt employees must be paid daily and weekly overtime at the rate of 1.5 times the employee’s “regular rate” of pay. Daily double-time must be paid at 2.0 times the “regular rate.”

Disability and Group Insurance Plans? How Do You Rate?

No one plans on becoming disabled. But accidents and illnesses happen, and they can confine workers to bed for weeks … or longer. A serious disability takes away more than workers’ earnings—it can take away their sense of control over their own lives. Do your employees understand the importance of ensuring that they receive a […]

EEOC Proposes Rules Defining ‘Reasonable Factor Other Than Age’

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has proposed regulations that would define “reasonable factor other than age” under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). The need for these rules arises in the wake of the Smith v. City of Jackson decision, a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court case in which the Court addressed the appropriate […]

Mental Health Parity Regulations Now Available

The U.S. Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services, and the Treasury recently published interim final regulations in the Federal Register that implement the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA). These regulations are effective April 5, 2010, and apply to plan years beginning on or […]

Gung Ho! Turn On People in Any Organization

Sarah Hulsey, PHR, reviews the book Gung Ho! Turn On the People in Any Organization by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles, finding it easy to read but more appropriate for a novice HR practitioner than the seasoned professional. I just finished reading Gung Ho! Turn On the People in Any Organization by Ken Blanchard and […]

The ‘Easy’ Way to Deal with Problem Employees

A longtime employee who gets a “24-hour bug” every other week, usually on a sunny Friday. A sales rep who smashes quota one month but slacks off the next. The line supervisor who is “just a few minutes” late most days.  Recognize any of these folks? If you’re in HR, you do. Problem employees. You’re […]

Navigating the Dangerous Light-Duty Highway

In yesterday’s Advisor, we looked at tricky issue of interactions between the FMLA, ADA, and workers’ compensation. Today, we cover the delicate question of light-duty work, and we explore a unique FMLA problem-solver. The question of light-duty or alternate work requirements bedevils HR managers faced with complying with three laws at once. Here are tips: […]

Escape from HR’s Bermuda Triangle

There’s little doubt that the most puzzling and frustrating trio in HR is FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation. In today’s Advisor, we’ll answer key questions about the overlapping of the three laws. What’s the main issue with the workers’ compensation, FMLA, and ADA overlap? If a worker is on leave because of a work-related injury […]