Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
The Supreme Court’s 2024 decision in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis set the stage for an increase in claims arising out of circumstances in which an employee experiences a change in their working conditions that doesn’t rise to the level of a pay cut, demotion, or termination. The effects of the Court’s decision were […]
Workplace misconduct—whether sexual harassment, wage violations, or immigration-related risks—can expose employers to costly litigation and reputational harm. But one tool is increasingly proving to be a powerful shield: the anonymous employee hotline. Hotlines don’t just help companies identify problems early—they can also play a critical role in establishing legal defenses. From preventing harassment claims under […]
It’s no secret that 2025 has seen a dramatic shift in the federal government’s view of the value and legal validity of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives. The latest guidance from the Department of Justice (DOJ) is directed at recipients of federal funding, but all businesses can use it to learn about […]
On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. One of its provisions has been dubbed “no taxes on tips” and provides a tax deduction of up to $25,000 for tips received by employees. The provision is retroactive to January 1, 2025, so certain payroll and reporting changes […]
“Why does it feel like somebody’s watching me?” Remember the old song with Michael Jackson singing this lament in the chorus? Employees in our current technological age may share this sentiment. More and more employers are conducting various modes of surveillance in the workplace, including video cameras and cybersecurity that tracks email and website traffic. […]
The Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Trump v. CASA that banned federal district court judges from issuing nationwide injunctions was met with mixed feelings among employer groups. Some of the most well-known injunctions were sought by employers—against the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) vaccine mandate, federal contractors’ minimum wage, certain expansive pregnancy regulations, and […]
Q: Are there any exceptions to meal and rest break requirements? Can we allow employees to waive their meal breaks if they work six hours instead of eight? Federal law doesn’t require employers to provide employees with meal and rest breaks. Requirements for such breaks are often addressed under state law. As a result, break […]
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed only 16 lawsuits so far in 2025, far below the 36 filed at this time last year. Of the 16 lawsuits, six are sexual harassment, three are religious discrimination, three are disability discrimination, two pregnancy discrimination, and one each are age discrimination and national origin discrimination. At […]
Q: One of our hourly, nonexempt employees is attending our company’s annual conference that includes activities after 5 p.m. Are we required to pay them for the time spent traveling to the conference, as well as for the events attended after 5? Would this time count toward overtime? Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), […]
Q: If we send an employee to another country for a three-month assignment, are we required to pay overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), or can we just pay a daily rate? Must we follow the pay regulations of the country the employee will be working in? Employers aren’t required to pay overtime […]