Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
The California Labor Commissioner has reached an agreement with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., resolving charges that the retail giant underpaid overtime and other wages. Under the terms of the settlement, Wal-Mart will pay $3.9 million in overtime, waiting time penalties, and interest to approximately 50,000 current and former Wal-Mart workers in California. Earlier this year, Wal-Mart […]
In other immigration news, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also recently announced that it is drafting a rule that will reduce the number of documents that can be used establish identity and work eligibility in the I-9 process.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a new rule describing the steps an employer must take when it receives a “no-match” letter from DHS or the Social Security Administration (SSA). The rule takes effect on Sept. 14, 2007.
We have an employee who is “sick” quite often. I suspect that there’s not any illness, just a desire to stay home, because the illnesses always seem to be at stressful times for the business. I have asked her for a doctor’s note for the file, and she gets very angry and says that by […]
A new measure introduced in the U.S. Senate would remove existing caps on compensatory and punitive damages an individual can recover in an employment discrimination lawsuit. The new legislation, titled the Equal Remedies Act of 2007 and authored by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., is aimed at eliminating damages caps that were implemented a decade and […]
According to a new survey, nearly 70 percent of small businesses say that they might have to raise their prices because of costs associated with the recent increase in the federal minimum wage, and 60 percent of small business owners predict they won’t be able to offset the cost of the wage increase.
A jury in Los Angeles has returned a $6.2 million verdict to Brenda Lee, a former Los Angeles firefighter who claimed she was the victim of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation because she is African American and a lesbian. The award included $3.5 million in back and future wages and benefits, plus $2.5 million for emotional […]
We are trying to take a positive, proactive stance on preventing lawsuits. What would you recommend for setting up a complaint resolution program that will head off suits and complaints to government agencies? — Maria T., HR Manager in Barstow
I have been instructed to look into an employee assistance program (EAP) for our facilities. Do you recommend these programs, and, if so, how should we go about deciding what services to offer and picking a provider? — Rachael, HR Director in Petaluma
It’s the nature of our business that we have only a small corps of permanent workers. Most of the rest are leased, temps, or independent contractors who are with us anywhere from a day to a year. We also get a lot of repair people who are in and out in a few hours. Our […]