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How to Stop Thinking About Work After Hours

Relaxing properly is essential to maintaining your physical and mental health. (The Japanese actually have their own word, karōshi, to refer to death from overwork.) In a professional context, failure to relax can impact the quality and quantity of work you produce. Learning not to think about work outside of working hours can, in fact, […]

Misclassified? Me? Where’s My Back Pay?

If you reclassify employees after a self-audit, you’ll likely face some tough questions, especially about back pay. Attorneys Allen Kato and Saundra Riley recently offered tips on how to respond. But first, here is Kato’s third option for dealing with reclassification (see yesterday’s issue of the Advisor for the first two). (The attorneys are associated […]

background

Pitfalls of the Incomplete Background Check

Today’s companies recognize the importance of conducting employment background checks. Background checks are an important component of most hiring practices. According to a national survey of HR professionals, 96% of employers conduct at least one type of background screening.

tiger

HR ‘Don’ts’ Inspired by Netflix’s Tiger King

In the midst of our pandemic-induced self-isolation and, in many cases, mandatory shelter-in-place orders, some of you have probably used this time to better yourselves. Perhaps you’ve tried out some new recipes or began an exercise regime or learned to knit or played Monopoly with your housebound children. If that is you, I say bravo! […]

transparency

The ‘Power of Positive’: A New HR Method from Sports Coaches

When, earlier this year, Boston Celtics’ new addition Kyrie Irving (who was at the time a point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers) stated during the course of a podcast that he is a firm believer that the Earth is flat, social media and news outlets went into a frenzy. Even middle school students began challenging […]

May I Refuse to Hire a Pregnant Applicant?

Yesterday’s Advisor discussed interviewing candidates with disabilities; today, more on disabilities and pregnancy, plus an introduction to an extraordinary collection of pre-written job descriptions. Pregnancy and the Interview During the interview, do not ask candidates about whether they are pregnant, whether they have any pregnancy plans, or what their plans are for a family. But […]

VR

How Companies Are Using AR and VR for Remote Training

Months into the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of employees are still working remotely, with no immediate end in sight. Some major employers like Microsoft, Target, and Deloitte have extended their remote work policies to mid-2021 or announced plans to maintain them on a permanent basis.

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A Post-Pandemic Shift in Work/Life Balance

Before March 2020, many HR professionals and hiring managers said a wide range of jobs simply couldn’t be performed off-site. Today, many of these same people are taking back their words. The pandemic has taught us that a wide range of jobs actually can be performed remotely, opening up new opportunities for both employers and […]

Pastafarian

Rastafarian, Pastafarian: No Matter What You Call It, It Could Be Religious Discrimination

Recently the southern grocery chain, Publix, came under fire for withdrawing a job offer after the worker refused to cut off his dreadlocks. The worker cited his Rastafarian religion as the reason why he refused to cut his hair. This isn’t the first—and most certainly won’t be the last—time employers are met with nontraditional forms […]