These questions and answers are excerpts from our webinar on 6/9/15, “Avoid ICE knocking on Your Door: I-9 E-Verify and Immigration Compliance,” which was presented by Julie Pace of the Cavanagh Law Firm. You can watch the entire webinar these questions and answers came from HERE
These questions and answers are excerpts from our webinar on 8/6/15, “The New Exemption Regulations.. Coming Soon to Your Workplace!” which was presented by Chuck McDonald and Steve Pockrass of Ogletree Deakins. You can watch the entire webinar these questions and answers came fr
Needless to say, a company can’t operate (let alone succeed) if the employees aren’t showing up to work. But how do you ensure that your workforce will consistently report for duty? One good step is having a clear attendance policy. Communicating clearly about what are acceptable reas
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been around since 2010 but it is still relatively new to a lot of people, including employers. For employers, it’s really important to be ahead of the curve when it comes to labor law to avoid possibly hefty fines and penalties. So here’s a run-down o
Every August millions of students return to school from summer vacation. While it may not seem that relevant to the 9 to 5 workforce, the school year can impact employers in several ways, from internships to continuing education benefits Here are a few things to look out for as school gets back i
It only happens once a year and some people think it should be a federal holiday – no, not National Grilled Cheese Day – birthdays! While some employees could not care less about celebrating them in the workplace or any place else, others will pout all day if you ignore it. But
Meal breaks and rest breaks continue to be some of the biggest grey areas in employment. Whether its understanding how much time needs to be provided, what limitations an employer can place on the employee during that time, or timekeeping issues, break time can be a very confusing topic. Here are
A few years ago if you heard the word bullying, images of playgrounds and principals' offices might come to mind. It's true that many people felt that bullying only applied to children, but in recent years we've acknowledged the truth of the situation: adults can be bullied – an
Over the course of employment your staff will be faced with many issues that may result in them needing to take time away from work. While these breaks can be disruptive for a workplace and may result in loss of production many employers are required by federal law to provide leave for family and
Do employers need to provide a reason to a discharged employee? Federal law does not require employers to provide terminated employees with a written explanation for their discharge. However, many states have litigation in place that calls for an employer to provide documentation outlining the re
As an HR representative or business owner it’s your responsibility to make sure things run smoothly, and sometimes that means enforcing rules or standards that your employees may not want to follow. Dress codes and appearance guidelines are a good way for employers to not only ensure their
Creating a competitive employee benefits package can be a daunting task. Healthcare costs are rising and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to attract top talent on a medical insurance offering alone. In an effort to increase job satisfaction, many employers and HR directors are turning t
While there may be no state or federal law requiring an employer to have a handbook, there are a number or reasons why they are in an employer’s best interest. Usefulness. It is beneficial for there to be one definitive source on the terms of employment. If an employee ever has a ques
As an HR professional you are no stranger to paperwork. It seems that for every employment action – applying, interviewing, hiring, disciplining, on and on – there is a specific form that needs to be filled out. Making sure you complete the paperwork properly is only half the battle t
When people speak of the employment relationship being employment at-will, that means that the contract between the employer and the employee provides that the employee may resign at any time, for any reason, and the employer may terminate the employee at any time, for any lawful reason
Work can get a little hectic sometimes. Running from here to there, meeting after meeting, stressing about a thousand different things – it helps to slow down every once in a while to take an inventory. Here are a few areas we think could benefit from a quick checkup. A few minutes of spot
Finding new employees can be stressful. Sure, an applicant will say they are a hardworking overachiever, but are they being honest? That's where reference checks come in. For most positions, it is beneficial for an employer to request and contact previous employers to check on perspective emp
When it comes to employment law, staying up to date with the latest law updates and best practices can seem like a full-time job, and a boring one at that! We like to keep current with the latest HR happenings by routinely checking a few blogs and websites. Each website offers a different perspec
"You’re fired." On The Apprentice, Donald Trump made it look so easy! For the rest of us, a poorly done termination could be costly. Emotions run high, there is a lot of paperwork involved, and an employer can end up with a big mess on their hands. Taking the time to do a terminat
The summer can bring up several employment issues, including discipline and dress code violations, but one of the biggest issues is just getting employees to show up! With holidays and vacations, warmer summer months often result in lower attendance, which can translate to a loss in producti
We all know that the I-9 form is an essential part of the hiring process. The form verifies that employees are legally eligible to work in the United States by requiring employees to submit a combination of forms of identification. While most employers know that an I-9 form is required for new em
Five Million Undocumented Workers May Be Eligible for Work Authorization in May 2015 Based on New Executive Order By: Julie Pace – The Cavanagh Law Firm, PA On Thursday, November 20, 2014, President Obama issued an Executive Order that will create the opportunity for an estimated 5 m
Getting an intern is easy, right? Put an ad on Craigslist, hire someone who will work for nothing, make them get your coffee, done! Not so fast. The Department of Labor has clearly specified who qualifies as an intern, and employers who throw the title around willy-nilly can face some serious mis
A recent poll shows that over 40% of Americans have dated a coworker, making the topic of inter-office romance pretty hard to ignore. While you may be glad that your staff is finding happiness, there are several serious issues that can be brought up when employees start dating and employers shoul
Interviews are a key part of the hiring process, but asking the wrong questions can land you in hot water with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Interviews give employers the opportunity to get a feel for an applicant, and they give the applicant a chance to showcase traits that
1. Tell us about Fisher & Phillips: Fisher & Phillips is a national labor and employment law firm representing management side only. We have over 30 offices across the country. We pride ourselves on providing proactive and practical advice (as demonstrated by the Reference Gui
Kastner Westman & Wilkins recently took over our Ohio Human Resources Library. We’re excited to be working with them, and we think you should be too! Keep reading to learn a little more about this amazing Akron-based firm:
1. Tell us about Kastner Westman & Wilkins, LLC:
Kastner Westman & Wilkins i
It’s time to get to know the authors of the Nebraska HR Library, Kevin R. McManaman and Jeanelle R. Lust of Knudsen Law Firm!
1. Tell us about Knudsen:
The firm has been around for about 130 years. Kevin and Jeanelle only feel like they’ve been around that long. We do a lot of work for schools, nur
It’s time to get to know the authors of the Tennessee Human Resources Manual, the attorneys at Wilson Worley PC!
1. Tell us about Wilson Worley:
Wilson Worley PC is a general civil law firm practicing in upper East Tennessee and southwest Virginia since 1951 from offices in Kingsport, Tennessee. W
1. Tell us about Shawe Rosenthal: Shawe Rosenthal LLP specializes in representing and advising management in employment and labor issues. We represent employers throughout the United States in federal and state courts, before the EEOC, NLRB, DOL, and other administrative agencies, as well a
We sat down with Kathy Speaker MacNett, author of Model Policies and Forms for Pennsylvania Employers and attorney at Skarlatos Zonarich!
1. Tell us about Skarlatos Zonarich:
SkarlatosZonarich LLC is a law firm, which offers clients a wide array of services in the civil arena, including will prepar
Have your employees been going the extra mile lately? What if they’re clocking in the equivalent of a marathon in hours? If you’re looking over your timesheets and notice that your star employee racked up a whopping 55 hours last week, it’s time to get familiar with the legal re
Finding the right person for a job can be tricky. You have to go through resumes, interviews, offer letters, the process can go on and on. A thing most employers don’t realize, is that they can be making costly mistakes from the first step: the job advertisement. A simple paragraph or two w
It is not unusual for multiple members of a family to work for the same employer. However, such situations can be troublesome if the family members are in a superior-subordinate relationship because: the relationship may give rise to favoritism or to suspicions of it the subordinate family
One of the most problematic parts of ending an employment relationship is what happens afterwards. While it is clear that the employee must go in a new direction, there can be some confusion as to what an employer can do to make sure its business interests aren’t negatively impacted. When a
Although they can be a bit uncomfortable for both you and the employee, evaluations serve as an important part of reviewing staff performance and making sure a business runs smoothly. Here are a few answers to some common performance review questions. You can call it a performance review, evaluat
With the election approaching, and presidential campaigns underway, the water cooler discussions have already started. While it is natural for employees to discuss current events at the workplace, how far should the political discussions reach? What are an employer’s obligations to keep the
When you think about workplace safety, you probably picture injuries and accidents, but in reality, safety means much more than that. The hardest aspect of having a safe workplace is thinking about the unexpected threats, the freak incidents as well as the hidden everyday dangers. Emp
Social media, or the process of interacting and sharing ideas in a virtual setting, has exploded over the past 5 years. The popularity of sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram is unquestionable. But how does this new mode of communicating impact employment? Probably in more ways than mos
It seems like not that long ago “technology in the workplace” referred to fax machines and floppy discs, but things certainly have changed in the last 10 years. Smart phones, email, and wireless networks have revolutionized the way business is being done, but with these advances in te
With the advances in technology in the last 20 years, the need for some employees to commute to the office daily has dropped drastically. Telecommuting, or working outside the office (usually in the employee’s home), has become a popular arrangement as it offers some clear advantages for em
Not all employers provide employees with vacation time, but for those who do it is wise to have a clear, well-enforced policy in place to prevent confusion and help employees understand what steps need to be followed in order to use their time off. If employers decide to to provide time off they
February 14th is quickly approaching and it brings with it a whole slew of troubles for employers. Aside from the usual romance in the workplace issues, employee attendance, harassment, and office parties can all cause an employer a good amount of trouble. Interoffice romance A recent Caree
In the last year, we have seen a rise in wearable technology. From the newly released Apple Watch to the spread of Bluetooth devices, it seems that technology is becoming more integrated into our daily lives than ever. These new advancements are causing people are to view their t
What is whistleblowing? While the definition of whistleblower varies depending on the statue being cited, the term generally describes an employee who reports an employer for violations of laws or regulations. To give a little more detail we can look at one commonly cited definition of whis
While posting requirements are extremely important in communicating employee rights, they are often a trouble spot for employers. With laws changing regularly, it's difficult to ensure that posters are up-to-date and an employer can easily fall behind. Here is a quick checklist to help make s
These questions and answers are excerpts from our webinar on 6/9/15, “Avoid ICE knocking on Your Door: I-9 E-Verify and Immigration Compliance,” which was presented by Julie Pace of the Cavanagh Law Firm. You can watch the entire webinar these questions and answers came from HERE
These questions and answers are excerpts from our webinar on 8/6/15, “The New Exemption Regulations.. Coming Soon to Your Workplace!” which was presented by Chuck McDonald and Steve Pockrass of Ogletree Deakins. You can watch the entire webinar these questions and answers came fr
While there may be no state or federal law requiring an employer to have a handbook, there are a number or reasons why they are in an employer’s best interest. Usefulness. It is beneficial for there to be one definitive source on the terms of employment. If an employee ever has a ques
As an HR professional you are no stranger to paperwork. It seems that for every employment action – applying, interviewing, hiring, disciplining, on and on – there is a specific form that needs to be filled out. Making sure you complete the paperwork properly is only half the battle t
When people speak of the employment relationship being employment at-will, that means that the contract between the employer and the employee provides that the employee may resign at any time, for any reason, and the employer may terminate the employee at any time, for any lawful reason
Finding new employees can be stressful. Sure, an applicant will say they are a hardworking overachiever, but are they being honest? That's where reference checks come in. For most positions, it is beneficial for an employer to request and contact previous employers to check on perspective emp
We all know that the I-9 form is an essential part of the hiring process. The form verifies that employees are legally eligible to work in the United States by requiring employees to submit a combination of forms of identification. While most employers know that an I-9 form is required for new em
Five Million Undocumented Workers May Be Eligible for Work Authorization in May 2015 Based on New Executive Order By: Julie Pace – The Cavanagh Law Firm, PA On Thursday, November 20, 2014, President Obama issued an Executive Order that will create the opportunity for an estimated 5 m
Getting an intern is easy, right? Put an ad on Craigslist, hire someone who will work for nothing, make them get your coffee, done! Not so fast. The Department of Labor has clearly specified who qualifies as an intern, and employers who throw the title around willy-nilly can face some serious mis
Interviews are a key part of the hiring process, but asking the wrong questions can land you in hot water with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Interviews give employers the opportunity to get a feel for an applicant, and they give the applicant a chance to showcase traits that
Finding the right person for a job can be tricky. You have to go through resumes, interviews, offer letters, the process can go on and on. A thing most employers don’t realize, is that they can be making costly mistakes from the first step: the job advertisement. A simple paragraph or two w
It is not unusual for multiple members of a family to work for the same employer. However, such situations can be troublesome if the family members are in a superior-subordinate relationship because: the relationship may give rise to favoritism or to suspicions of it the subordinate family
One of the most problematic parts of ending an employment relationship is what happens afterwards. While it is clear that the employee must go in a new direction, there can be some confusion as to what an employer can do to make sure its business interests aren’t negatively impacted. When a
Social media, or the process of interacting and sharing ideas in a virtual setting, has exploded over the past 5 years. The popularity of sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram is unquestionable. But how does this new mode of communicating impact employment? Probably in more ways than mos
With the advances in technology in the last 20 years, the need for some employees to commute to the office daily has dropped drastically. Telecommuting, or working outside the office (usually in the employee’s home), has become a popular arrangement as it offers some clear advantages for em
Do employers need to provide a reason to a discharged employee? Federal law does not require employers to provide terminated employees with a written explanation for their discharge. However, many states have litigation in place that calls for an employer to provide documentation outlining the re
As an HR professional you are no stranger to paperwork. It seems that for every employment action – applying, interviewing, hiring, disciplining, on and on – there is a specific form that needs to be filled out. Making sure you complete the paperwork properly is only half the battle t
When people speak of the employment relationship being employment at-will, that means that the contract between the employer and the employee provides that the employee may resign at any time, for any reason, and the employer may terminate the employee at any time, for any lawful reason
"You’re fired." On The Apprentice, Donald Trump made it look so easy! For the rest of us, a poorly done termination could be costly. Emotions run high, there is a lot of paperwork involved, and an employer can end up with a big mess on their hands. Taking the time to do a terminat
One of the most problematic parts of ending an employment relationship is what happens afterwards. While it is clear that the employee must go in a new direction, there can be some confusion as to what an employer can do to make sure its business interests aren’t negatively impacted. When a
What is whistleblowing? While the definition of whistleblower varies depending on the statue being cited, the term generally describes an employee who reports an employer for violations of laws or regulations. To give a little more detail we can look at one commonly cited definition of whis
Meal breaks and rest breaks continue to be some of the biggest grey areas in employment. Whether its understanding how much time needs to be provided, what limitations an employer can place on the employee during that time, or timekeeping issues, break time can be a very confusing topic. Here are
Have your employees been going the extra mile lately? What if they’re clocking in the equivalent of a marathon in hours? If you’re looking over your timesheets and notice that your star employee racked up a whopping 55 hours last week, it’s time to get familiar with the legal re
Although they can be a bit uncomfortable for both you and the employee, evaluations serve as an important part of reviewing staff performance and making sure a business runs smoothly. Here are a few answers to some common performance review questions. You can call it a performance review, evaluat
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been around since 2010 but it is still relatively new to a lot of people, including employers. For employers, it’s really important to be ahead of the curve when it comes to labor law to avoid possibly hefty fines and penalties. So here’s a run-down o
Every August millions of students return to school from summer vacation. While it may not seem that relevant to the 9 to 5 workforce, the school year can impact employers in several ways, from internships to continuing education benefits Here are a few things to look out for as school gets back i
A few years ago if you heard the word bullying, images of playgrounds and principals' offices might come to mind. It's true that many people felt that bullying only applied to children, but in recent years we've acknowledged the truth of the situation: adults can be bullied – an
As an HR representative or business owner it’s your responsibility to make sure things run smoothly, and sometimes that means enforcing rules or standards that your employees may not want to follow. Dress codes and appearance guidelines are a good way for employers to not only ensure their
Work can get a little hectic sometimes. Running from here to there, meeting after meeting, stressing about a thousand different things – it helps to slow down every once in a while to take an inventory. Here are a few areas we think could benefit from a quick checkup. A few minutes of spot
It only happens once a year and some people think it should be a federal holiday – no, not National Grilled Cheese Day – birthdays! While some employees could not care less about celebrating them in the workplace or any place else, others will pout all day if you ignore it. But
As an HR representative or business owner it’s your responsibility to make sure things run smoothly, and sometimes that means enforcing rules or standards that your employees may not want to follow. Dress codes and appearance guidelines are a good way for employers to not only ensure their
The summer can bring up several employment issues, including discipline and dress code violations, but one of the biggest issues is just getting employees to show up! With holidays and vacations, warmer summer months often result in lower attendance, which can translate to a loss in producti
Not all employers provide employees with vacation time, but for those who do it is wise to have a clear, well-enforced policy in place to prevent confusion and help employees understand what steps need to be followed in order to use their time off. If employers decide to to provide time off they
Needless to say, a company can’t operate (let alone succeed) if the employees aren’t showing up to work. But how do you ensure that your workforce will consistently report for duty? One good step is having a clear attendance policy. Communicating clearly about what are acceptable reas
Every August millions of students return to school from summer vacation. While it may not seem that relevant to the 9 to 5 workforce, the school year can impact employers in several ways, from internships to continuing education benefits Here are a few things to look out for as school gets back i
It only happens once a year and some people think it should be a federal holiday – no, not National Grilled Cheese Day – birthdays! While some employees could not care less about celebrating them in the workplace or any place else, others will pout all day if you ignore it. But
While there may be no state or federal law requiring an employer to have a handbook, there are a number or reasons why they are in an employer’s best interest. Usefulness. It is beneficial for there to be one definitive source on the terms of employment. If an employee ever has a ques
As an HR professional you are no stranger to paperwork. It seems that for every employment action – applying, interviewing, hiring, disciplining, on and on – there is a specific form that needs to be filled out. Making sure you complete the paperwork properly is only half the battle t
Over the course of employment your staff will be faced with many issues that may result in them needing to take time away from work. While these breaks can be disruptive for a workplace and may result in loss of production many employers are required by federal law to provide leave for family and
These questions and answers are excerpts from our webinar on 6/9/15, “Avoid ICE knocking on Your Door: I-9 E-Verify and Immigration Compliance,” which was presented by Julie Pace of the Cavanagh Law Firm. You can watch the entire webinar these questions and answers came from HERE
These questions and answers are excerpts from our webinar on 8/6/15, “The New Exemption Regulations.. Coming Soon to Your Workplace!” which was presented by Chuck McDonald and Steve Pockrass of Ogletree Deakins. You can watch the entire webinar these questions and answers came fr
Needless to say, a company can’t operate (let alone succeed) if the employees aren’t showing up to work. But how do you ensure that your workforce will consistently report for duty? One good step is having a clear attendance policy. Communicating clearly about what are acceptable reas
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been around since 2010 but it is still relatively new to a lot of people, including employers. For employers, it’s really important to be ahead of the curve when it comes to labor law to avoid possibly hefty fines and penalties. So here’s a run-down o
It only happens once a year and some people think it should be a federal holiday – no, not National Grilled Cheese Day – birthdays! While some employees could not care less about celebrating them in the workplace or any place else, others will pout all day if you ignore it. But
As an HR representative or business owner it’s your responsibility to make sure things run smoothly, and sometimes that means enforcing rules or standards that your employees may not want to follow. Dress codes and appearance guidelines are a good way for employers to not only ensure their
Creating a competitive employee benefits package can be a daunting task. Healthcare costs are rising and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to attract top talent on a medical insurance offering alone. In an effort to increase job satisfaction, many employers and HR directors are turning t
Work can get a little hectic sometimes. Running from here to there, meeting after meeting, stressing about a thousand different things – it helps to slow down every once in a while to take an inventory. Here are a few areas we think could benefit from a quick checkup. A few minutes of spot
When it comes to employment law, staying up to date with the latest law updates and best practices can seem like a full-time job, and a boring one at that! We like to keep current with the latest HR happenings by routinely checking a few blogs and websites. Each website offers a different perspec
We all know that the I-9 form is an essential part of the hiring process. The form verifies that employees are legally eligible to work in the United States by requiring employees to submit a combination of forms of identification. While most employers know that an I-9 form is required for new em
Five Million Undocumented Workers May Be Eligible for Work Authorization in May 2015 Based on New Executive Order By: Julie Pace – The Cavanagh Law Firm, PA On Thursday, November 20, 2014, President Obama issued an Executive Order that will create the opportunity for an estimated 5 m
A recent poll shows that over 40% of Americans have dated a coworker, making the topic of inter-office romance pretty hard to ignore. While you may be glad that your staff is finding happiness, there are several serious issues that can be brought up when employees start dating and employers shoul
1. Tell us about Fisher & Phillips: Fisher & Phillips is a national labor and employment law firm representing management side only. We have over 30 offices across the country. We pride ourselves on providing proactive and practical advice (as demonstrated by the Reference Gui
1. Tell us about Shawe Rosenthal: Shawe Rosenthal LLP specializes in representing and advising management in employment and labor issues. We represent employers throughout the United States in federal and state courts, before the EEOC, NLRB, DOL, and other administrative agencies, as well a
It is not unusual for multiple members of a family to work for the same employer. However, such situations can be troublesome if the family members are in a superior-subordinate relationship because: the relationship may give rise to favoritism or to suspicions of it the subordinate family
Although they can be a bit uncomfortable for both you and the employee, evaluations serve as an important part of reviewing staff performance and making sure a business runs smoothly. Here are a few answers to some common performance review questions. You can call it a performance review, evaluat
With the election approaching, and presidential campaigns underway, the water cooler discussions have already started. While it is natural for employees to discuss current events at the workplace, how far should the political discussions reach? What are an employer’s obligations to keep the
Social media, or the process of interacting and sharing ideas in a virtual setting, has exploded over the past 5 years. The popularity of sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram is unquestionable. But how does this new mode of communicating impact employment? Probably in more ways than mos
It seems like not that long ago “technology in the workplace” referred to fax machines and floppy discs, but things certainly have changed in the last 10 years. Smart phones, email, and wireless networks have revolutionized the way business is being done, but with these advances in te
With the advances in technology in the last 20 years, the need for some employees to commute to the office daily has dropped drastically. Telecommuting, or working outside the office (usually in the employee’s home), has become a popular arrangement as it offers some clear advantages for em
February 14th is quickly approaching and it brings with it a whole slew of troubles for employers. Aside from the usual romance in the workplace issues, employee attendance, harassment, and office parties can all cause an employer a good amount of trouble. Interoffice romance A recent Caree
In the last year, we have seen a rise in wearable technology. From the newly released Apple Watch to the spread of Bluetooth devices, it seems that technology is becoming more integrated into our daily lives than ever. These new advancements are causing people are to view their t
What is whistleblowing? While the definition of whistleblower varies depending on the statue being cited, the term generally describes an employee who reports an employer for violations of laws or regulations. To give a little more detail we can look at one commonly cited definition of whis
While posting requirements are extremely important in communicating employee rights, they are often a trouble spot for employers. With laws changing regularly, it's difficult to ensure that posters are up-to-date and an employer can easily fall behind. Here is a quick checklist to help make s
Creating a competitive employee benefits package can be a daunting task. Healthcare costs are rising and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to attract top talent on a medical insurance offering alone. In an effort to increase job satisfaction, many employers and HR directors are turning t
When you think about workplace safety, you probably picture injuries and accidents, but in reality, safety means much more than that. The hardest aspect of having a safe workplace is thinking about the unexpected threats, the freak incidents as well as the hidden everyday dangers. Emp
A few years ago if you heard the word bullying, images of playgrounds and principals' offices might come to mind. It's true that many people felt that bullying only applied to children, but in recent years we've acknowledged the truth of the situation: adults can be bullied – an
A recent poll shows that over 40% of Americans have dated a coworker, making the topic of inter-office romance pretty hard to ignore. While you may be glad that your staff is finding happiness, there are several serious issues that can be brought up when employees start dating and employers shoul
It is not unusual for multiple members of a family to work for the same employer. However, such situations can be troublesome if the family members are in a superior-subordinate relationship because: the relationship may give rise to favoritism or to suspicions of it the subordinate family
February 14th is quickly approaching and it brings with it a whole slew of troubles for employers. Aside from the usual romance in the workplace issues, employee attendance, harassment, and office parties can all cause an employer a good amount of trouble. Interoffice romance A recent Caree