The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has issued a new interpretation of compensable time for workers changing into or out of protective clothing. This changes the prior interpretation that time employees spend donning and doffing protective clothing was not compensable under the...

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...

In a recent BLR poll, employers agreed that the worst mistake a candidate can make is arriving late. The next two worst interview mistakes a candidate can make are being poorly dressed/groomed and knowing nothing about the company/organization. If applicants make a mistake in an interview, it may...

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...

Small business owners are often so busy running their companies that they don’t take the time to establish human resource policies and procedures. This can lead to problems when it becomes necessary to discipline or terminate employees, and even in situations as simple as changing hours of work or...

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...

     Safety reminders and messages do improve cultures and outcomes. But there comes a time when efforts may fail to improve-and possibly even harm-safety results. Workers can become frustrated with too many safety procedures and too much information. This is especially true if they are dealing...

Payroll errors can be costly. Last month, a petroleum company in New Jersey entered into a settlement agreement under which it will pay $4 million in overtime pay, damages, interest, and penalties to more than 700 current and former employees. According to the Department of Labor, the company and...

• Benefits Plan design
• Employee Benefits...

While alcohol and drug abuse rates tend to vary over time, surveys consistently find at least 5 to 10 percent of workers admit to illegal drug use; the actual percentage is probably even higher. Employee substance abuse can have many harmful effects on an organization, including:

• higher...

Employers with 15 or more employees are subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In addition to prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities, the “reasonable accommodation” provision in the ADA may dictate that employers provide unpaid leaves in certain situations....

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...

Even employers that are careful to comply with equal employment opportunity laws can find themselves facing a discrimination complaint. As a result, all employers can benefit from adopting an HR strategy to address EEO concerns. According to guidelines published by the EEOC, an effective...

On March 18, the Governor of Indiana signed into law legislation that prohibits employers from restricting employees’ possession of firearms. According to the new law, employers cannot have a policy or rule that prohibits employees from “possessing a firearm or ammunition that is locked in the trunk...

On March 18, President Obama signed the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, which provides employers with a tax credit and a Social Security payroll tax exemption for certain new hires. These new hires must begin employment between Feb. 4 and Dec. 31, 2010, and attest to being...

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...

Job descriptions play a critical role in a company’s operations.  Not only do they let employees know what is expected of them in their individual positions, they can be key factors in many situations, such as determining pay, Worker’s Compensation/disability issues and unemployment claims. Many...

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects applicantsand employees age 40 and older from discrimination based on age. Employers can defend against an ADEA claim by demonstrating that the employment decision was based on reasonable factors other than age. On Feb. 18, the Equal...