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Question: We have a longtime employee who’s no longer meeting expectations. The owner is afraid to hold them accountable because they’re over 40 and therefore in a protected class. What can we do?
Question: We have a longtime employee who’s no longer meeting expectations. The owner is afraid to hold them accountable because they’re over 40 and therefore in a protected class. What can we do? Answer: In general, you shouldn’t let an employee’s protected class status deter you from holding them accountable to your performance expectations. After all, everyone belongs to protected classes. Being
Blue Shield of California Member Alert
Blue Shield of California Member Alert Blue Shield of California – Incorrect Out of State Provider Termination Notices Beginning April 1, 2024, members outside of California may have received an erroneous Continuity of Care (COC) provider termination letter or email. This occurred due to a data entry error outside of the control of Blue Shield of California. As a result,
Question: We’re planning to close the office a few days a week to save money. Do salaried exempt employees still get their full pay during these furloughs?
Question: We’re planning to close the office a few days a week to save money. Do salaried exempt employees still get their full pay during these furloughs? Answer: Yes, salaried exempt employees must be paid their full weekly salary if they do any work during your designated seven-day workweek, including tasks as quick as checking work email or voicemail. As your goal
Federal Law Alert: DOL Increases Exempt Employee Minimum Salaries
Federal Law Alert April 30th, 2024 Federal: DOL Increases Exempt Employee Minimum Salaries On April 26, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published the much-anticipated final rule that will increase the minimum salary for many exempt employees. The increase will take effect in two steps. If you’d like to review the regulations yourself, they are available here—the relevant changes start
Question: What can we do about an employee who is taking too many restroom breaks?
Question: What can we do about an employee who is taking too many restroom breaks? Answer: Start by asking yourself if the employee’s restroom breaks are genuinely causing problems. Focus on the employee’s productivity and performance (as well as any coverage issues) rather than the amount of time spent in the restroom. If the employee is getting their work done and productivity is not
Federal Law Alert: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act – Final Regulations Published
Federal Law Alert April 22nd, 2024 Federal: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act – Final Regulations Published The final rule for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which applies to employers with 15 or more employees, has been published and takes effect June 18, 2024. With over 100 pages of preamble, regulations, and interpretive guidance, there’s obviously a lot to take in. Thankfully, you
8 ways to help support workplace health and well-being
By: Ray Fabius, M.D., FAAP, FACPE | April 3,2024 Producers play a critical role in supporting organizations toward a culture of health and well-being. As such, they advise on designing and implementing health programs that align with a company’s values and leadership’s vision. By understanding the importance of leadership support and management alignment, they play a role in helping organizations
Question: Are there questions or topics we should avoid during the hiring process? How can we be sure we don’t accidentally get into one of those topics?
Question: Are there questions or topics we should avoid during the hiring process? How can we be sure we don’t accidentally get into one of those topics? Answer: You should avoid asking questions that could be viewed as discriminatory or that infringe on a candidate’s privacy. Essentially, you want to avoid any questions that are not directly related to the candidate’s ability
Question: Does the National Labor Relations Act apply to my business if we don’t have a union?
HR Snapshot by Mineral Answer by Kyle, PHR Question: Does the National Labor Relations Act apply to my business if we don’t have a union? Answer: It does! Congress enacted the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) in 1935 to protect the rights of employees and employers, to encourage collective bargaining, and to limit certain labor and management practices that can harm the general
Question: Do we need to pay summer interns?
Answer: Generally, yes, though it depends on who benefits most from their work. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has adopted the “primary beneficiary test” to determine whether a worker is an employee (who must be paid in accordance with federal wage and hour law) or can be classified as an unpaid intern (a non-employee who is exempt from federal wage