Diversity can bring positive opportunities to any organization. These opportunities include:

• Attracting and retaining high-quality people from a variety of backgrounds.
• Increasing morale because everyone feels that he or she is welcome and appreciated, regardless of background;
• Improved productivity...

The National Labor Relations Board has proposed a rule that would require every employer subject to the Board's jurisdiction to post a notice informing employees of their federally protected labor rights. The Board believes that such a rule would not only make employees aware of the National Labor...

The owners of a concrete company in California have been charged with 15 felony charges of payroll tax evasion and workers' compensation insurance fraud. The charges are based on allegations that the company intentionally under reported wages by disguising the funds as payments made to independent...

Many employers reimburse their employees for mileage driven in an employee’s personal vehicle for business purposes. For 2010, the business mileage reimbursement rate set by the Internal Revenue Service is 50 cents per mile. Starting Jan. 1, 2011, however, these rates for the use of a car, van,...

According to a BNA survey, there is a greater likelihood this year that employers will give employees holiday gifts and bonuses, sponsor end-of-year holiday parties and company-wide celebrations, and increase participation in charitable activities than last year. Employers with such plans, however,...

There may be times when discipline or termination of an employee who has filed a worker’s compensation claim is warranted, just as it would be for any other employee. Employers facing this situation, however, must not underestimate the legal risks involved. In addition to rights under state law, a...

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...

As the November 2 elections draw near, employers need to remember that many states have laws granting voting leave for employees. These laws usually call for two to three hours of voting leave and allow employers to designate the hours. About 75 percent of voting-leave laws require paid time off,...

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. Understandably, employers want to fill vacancies as quickly as they possibly can. Unless each candidate is properly...

Every company whose employees have E-mail access should have a policy on E-mail use. This policy should include the employer’s right to monitor E-mails. Additional tips employers should consider are including E-mail in document retention programs, limiting information in E-mails to facts rather than...

September 30 is the deadline for employers to file EEO-1 reports.  In general, employers with 100 or more employees, or those with 50 or more employees and at least $50,000.00 in government contracts must file this annual report. Proper record keeping throughout the year is essential in order...

Small business owners often find it difficult to keep up with the various laws and regulations governing employment practices.  Hiring, payment of wages, promotions, maintaining employee records and rest/meal breaks are but a few of the issues impacted by state and/or federal laws. Compliance is...

Whether workers should be classified as employees or independent contractors is an important human resources issue and litigation in this area is likely to increase in the future. Recent cases indicate, however, that the courts do not have a uniform approach to the independent contractor analysis....

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, “outside sales” employees are exempt from the overtime provisions in the Act.  It would seem reasonable to assume, therefore, that pharmaceutical sales representatives who call on physicians would fall into this exempt category.  The United States Department of...

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...

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...

Whether an employer is required to provide rest and meal breaks is covered by state law rather than the federal wage and hour laws. As with many other state laws, rest and meal break requirements vary from state to state. This can cause headaches for employers who operate in more than one state.

Mana...