Employers that discipline or terminate employees for legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons may still find themselves facing discrimination or other legal challenges to the decision. The best way for employers to protect themselves in these situations is to remember – Document, Document, Document!

Ev...

Beginning in June, 2011, the Social Security Administration will begin changing the way nine-digit numbers are issued for Social Security cards. 

The numbers will be chosen randomly and the first three digits will no longer designate where a Social Security card is issued. Card numbers can start...

The U.S. Department of Labor recently said it plans to update recordkeeping rules on a number of issues, including worker classification. As part of this initiative, the Wage and Hour Division plans to propose new recordkeeping rules for employers this August. In addition, the Division is...

Cell phones continue to be a popular means of communication. However, if employees use a cell phone while driving and are involved in an accident, their employers could be liable for significant legal damages. Courts have already imposed huge judgments against drivers allegedly distracted by cell...

Although the economy may be showing signs of improvement, employers remain focused on increasing efficiency and holding down costs.  This may include downsizing, eliminating pay raises, and even cutting pay for employees.  While these actions can be justified, employers must be careful.  Top...

Every company whose employees have E-mail access should include E-mail use in its human resources policies. This policy should include the employer’s right to monitor E-mails, be signed by the employee, and retained in individual employee records. Additional tips employers should consider...

The newly enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires employers to provide “reasonable break time” to employees to allow them to express breast milk for nursing children. The law requires that the break time be provided for one year after the child's birth and that an employer...

Whether a company’s employees are unionized or not, employers must follow certain rules regarding solicitation policies. A policy that prohibits solicitation during “working hours”, “company time” or “business hours” is presumed unlawful. A rule prohibiting solicitation during “working time”,...

Employment screening and hiring practices often include background screening of applicants’ credit reports and criminal histories.  These background checks have recently come under increased scrutiny from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Congress.

Acting EEOC...

Regular attendance at work is an essential function of most jobs. However, there are many legitimate reasons why employees cannot be at work every day. In order to help control absenteeism, employers should have a policy that addresses issues associated with attendance. These issues include...

Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. March 14 when clocks are set ahead by one hour across most of the country. A few areas, such as Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa do not observe the time change. This change may prompt employees, particularly overnight...

Turnover can be expensive, and have a significant impact on a company’s profitability. Although many factors could be involved, poor hiring decisions often result in high turnover.  Unless each candidate is properly evaluated, chances are that, if hired, he/she will either become dissatisfied and...

Employers often wonder what human resource policies they should implement.  The topics range from discipline, to employee medical benefits, to how long they should retain employee records.  Developing these policies can be a time consuming, difficult task, especially for small employers who are busy...

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a company-sponsored program for employees that provides counseling and referral services to employees with substance abuse or other personal problems that could negatively affect their job performance. These problems can include:

• stress, anxiety,...

The Federal guidelines that protect consumers from deceptive endorsements and advertising may pose liability issues for employers if their employees use social media to talk about their employer's products or services. When employees comment on the products or services their company provides in...

All too often, performance appraisals are viewed as a “necessary evil” that must be dealt with once a year. Little real effort is put into them by either supervisors or employees, and the goal is to just get them done. Small businesses without human resource departments often ignore them altogether....