Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
by Tammy Binford The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) new proposed rule updating sex discrimination guidelines for federal contractors takes aim at what the director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) calls “regulatory anachronism.” The proposed rule appears in the January 30 Federal Register. The public will have until April 14 to […]
by Paul J. Sweeney An amendment to New York’s Wage Theft Prevention Act (WTPA) removes a requirement that private-sector employers provide wage rate notices to current employees by February 1 of each year. The WTPA requires private-sector employers to provide written wage rate notices to employees and imposes penalties for noncompliance. Until the change was […]
Space heaters are a quick way to heat things up in a drafty office or workspace, but they can increase the risks of fire and electric shock if not used properly. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not specifically prohibit use of portable electric heaters, but the safety agency does require that any […]
Technology creates many efficiencies, but it can also lead to wasted time. In fact, half of the top 10 productivity killers at work involve technology, CareerBuilder found in a recent survey. The top 10 list includes: Cell phone/texting (cited by 50 percent of employers), Gossip (42 percent), The Internet (39 percent), Social media (38 percent), […]
by Tammy Binford Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has decided to take up the issue of same-sex marriage, employers are weighing the impact a ruling will have. On January 16, the Court announced that it would consider four cases from each of the states in the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals—Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, […]
“Mindfulness isn’t anything that we think; it’s what we don’t think,” says Dr. Stephen McKenzie. “It is an ancient and natural life-enhancing and healing technique that can help us remember our natural state of happiness and health, even if we think we are too modern and too busy to prioritize what’s really important.” Dr. McKenzie, […]
A new publication from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) highlights how workers in grocery stores can reduce strains and sprains when moving materials from the delivery truck to the sales floor. Designed for retail workers and safety experts, Ergonomic Solutions for Retailers uses a series of illustrations to show how and […]
by Tammy Binford Is it a sensible plan to boost productivity and give workers the help they deserve, or is it an unaffordable, unfair mandate on already overburdened employers? President Barack Obama’s announcement of a push to pass a paid sick leave law is likely to garner both reactions. Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to […]
by Jane Pfeifle On Monday, a federal judge in Sioux Falls ruled that South Dakota’s constitutional and statutory prohibition on same-sex marriage violated the U.S. Constitution. Six same-sex couples filed a lawsuit against the governor, the attorney general, the secretary of the South Dakota Department of Health, and other public officials seeking to overturn the […]
The technology website Geek Wire published advice from ergonomics writer Larry Swanson, author of Scared Sitless, the Office Fitness Book. In the past few years, tablets and smartphones have made huge inroads in workplaces of all types. According to Swanson, the compact size and portability of the devices make work and life better in […]