Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Question: We have an employee who took four days off to tend to his daughter in the hospital after she received a C-section and another who wants to take three weeks off to assist her sibling going through chemotherapy. Would the absences in both scenarios fall under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)? Answer: […]
With the holidays about to be in full swing and the end of the year near, visions of time-off requests, bonuses, and parties are likely dancing in employers’ heads. Getting any of those things wrong is a sure way to spoil the holidays, but a little planning and care will keep the work on track […]
On October 16, 2024, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued guidance on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in employment—Artificial Intelligence and Worker Well-Being: Principles and Best Practices for Developers and Employers. The guidance stems from President Joe Biden’s Executive Order 14110 on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence issued […]
This is part one of a two-part update on changes at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Part one discusses the regulatory changes OSHA made during fiscal year (FY) 2024. The most recent regulatory changes at OSHA have been the Employee Representative Walk-Around Rule (effective May 31, 2024), the Proposed Emergency Response Standard (published […]
Question: Our employees drive vehicles strictly for work purposes, but we don’t have a policy on such use. After employees received several speeding tickets, we’d like to introduce a policy that would allow management to deduct the cost of tickets from employees’ wages. Are we allowed to start introducing this type of payroll deduction? Answer: Employers […]
On September 23, 2024, the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released revised Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs guidance, last updated in March 2023. The latest guidance covers three primary areas of on-going interest for the DOJ: (1) how companies are identifying and mitigating emerging risks related to new technologies, including artificial […]
Your business may want to jump on the generative artificial intelligence (GAI) bandwagon and discover how you may become more productive and competitive, reduce costs, and make the most of new technology. There are many intriguing and effective GAI programs available for use. However, there are important considerations your business should evaluate before adopting a […]
Employers in New York, and across the country, should be aware that a number of recent workplace law legislative developments are now in effect. New York State Freelance Isn’t Free Act Now in Effect New York state’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act went into effect on August 28, 2024, and requires every New York state business […]
On January 12, 2024, the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals (whose rulings apply to employers in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, as well as two other states not included in Mountain West Employment Law Letter) asked the Colorado Supreme Court to clarify whether holiday incentive pay must be included when calculating an employee’s […]
Question: Are there any exceptions to meal and rest break requirements, and are there meal penalties for not allowing staff to take proper breaks? Can we allow employees to waive their meal breaks if they work six hours instead of eight? Answer: This question is mainly controlled by state law. Federal law, for its part, […]