Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released a new bulletin reminding employers that most workers under age 18 are prohibited from operating forklifts for nonagricultural operations. Plus, says OSHA, workers over 18 must be properly trained and certified before driving forklifts in the workplace. Note that Cal-OSHA also prohibits teens from driving […]
President Clinton has announced new guidelines clarifying how and when religious beliefs can be expressed in the federal workplace, and they could be expanded to the private sector. Among other things, the guidelines say federal workers can pray together at lunchtime in empty conference rooms and display religious art in their personal work areas. Proselytizing […]
The rules on when you can legally dock exempt employees’ pay are complex, and it’s easy to make mistakes. For example, if you dock when you shouldn’t, the person could be considered an hourly worker entitled to back overtime. However, under a special federal provision known as the “window of correction” rule, you may be […]
Regulatory actions and internal investigations are climbing, according to the 2011 Fulbright & Jaworski Litigation Trends Survey; however, businesses faced slightly less litigation in 2011 than in 2010. More than one-third of respondents report there has been an increase in external regulatory inquiries directed at their companies, and more than one-quarter of respondents expect the […]
The cover story in the March issue of California Employer Advisor highlights several important provisions of the new Interim Wage Order, which took effect March 1. Now the Industrial Welfare Commission has announced that it will hold a hearing to discuss proposed changes to the wage order. The hearing will take place in Sacramento on March 31. Some […]
A group of 28 screenwriters have filed a class action lawsuit against the major television networks, studios and talent agencies, claiming that a pattern of age discrimination exists in the television industry that has squeezed out writers who are over 40. The writers charge that the networks, studios and agents are so eager to capture […]
Time to think about recruiting and retention again. And that means thinking total rewards. What’s happening with benefits and perks in 2013? What are your competitors up to? Help us find out! Please participate in our brief survey—sponsored by Aflac—and see how the perks you offer stack up against those of other successful companies. We’ll […]
Yesterday, we looked at some of the proposed changes to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in areas relating to military leave. Today, a look at the other proposed changes, courtesy of Mark Schickman and Cathleen Yonahara, both attorneys at Freeland Cooper & Foreman LLP in San Francisco.
For tax years beginning after 2001, a retirement plan can now allow participants who are at least age 50 or older at the end of the plan year to make catch-up contributions to their accounts.
Employers are reminded that come Jan. 1, 2008, employers must include only the last four digits of an employee’s Social Security number or other personal identification number on an itemized wage statement. Take the time now to make sure your payroll processes are updated to ensure compliance with this law by the start of the […]