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Bar the door: Actionable Tips for Defending FMLA Claims

Good timing can mean the difference between success and failure, and waiting too late can cost you—as a transit employee discovered the hard way. Although this case comes from a different state, it’s still helpful when defending Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) claims in Texas. Chronic Serious Health Condition As a threshold matter under […]

Wage and Hour Simple? The 10 Sins

Sin #1. Failure to pay the minimum wage We’ll pay you $5 an hour until you learn the ropes; then you move up to $7 an hour. Virtually all employees are entitled to receive at least the minimum wage (the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour; many states have higher minimum wages) for all […]

Workers’ Comp Payout After Telecommuting Worker Trips Over Dog

The warning “Beware of the Dog” is making employers fearful in a new way. One downside of offering telecommuting privileges is injuries that occur while an employee is working from home. If an employee is injured at home while he or she is on a work-related task, he or she may be entitled to workers’ comp benefits. This raises […]

CareerBuilder Notes Major Changes in Jobs Composition Since 2001

Demographic shifts in the United States over the past 14 years have led to a significantly different workforce, according to a special report from CareerBuilder. Men are in a wider array of career fields; the number of occupations heavily represented by workers 55 and older has more than doubled; and in each of the 50 […]

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Creating Gender Balance in Your Organization

On International Women’s Day, the last thing you want to hear is workers not taking gender-related issues seriously. But sadly, that’s the current state we’re in, according to new Randstad US survey findings.

Why Employers Need a Biometrics Policy and What to Include

More employers are using biometrics for timekeeping and security review. The biometric identifiers most frequently used by employers are face scans (“facial recognition”), fingerprints, voiceprints, and video surveillance. Although only five states regulate the use of biometrics—Illinois, New York, Texas, Vermont, and Washington—common-law invasion/breach-of-privacy claims are available to everyone. So, establishing a biometrics policy can […]

The Afternoon Nap: A Wake-Up Call for Business?

Studies show that a short nap during the workday may improve both health and productivity. What lesson do Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, Napoleon, and Al Kirschbaum all have for business? That a short “power nap” in the afternoon helps you achieve. Since you probably already know about the world leaders mentioned, let’s take Al […]

Long Live Physical Document Examination

Starting August 1, 2023, employers that have registered for E-Verify for a location may use a new video procedure in lieu of an in-person inspection to verify new hires and their documents to complete Form I-9. Employers that had used special COVID-19 procedures to verify employees remotely may use the new video procedure to meet […]