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In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, states have passed new laws and issued new regulations and guidance about employee leave taken for COVID-19 reasons.28 Aug Encouraging Employees to Take PTO During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on nearly every facet of the workplace. With everything upended, employers are understandably focused on maintaining their service and product quality. But working hard isn’t the only key to successfully enduring the pandemic—in fact, the opposite may be just as critical.
Paid time off (PTO) is something many employees take for granted. Hundreds of millions of vacation days go unused each year, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Due to a variety of factors, some employees opt not to use time off, and they—and the entire organization—end up suffering for it in the long run.
This article explains why encouraging employees to take PTO can be just as important, if not more so, than encouraging the “hustle” culture.
28 Aug CDC Updates Guidance for Quarantine After an Exposure to COVID-19
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues, employers are discerning appropriate actions to prioritize health and safety within their workplace.
Organizations are responsible for protecting the health of their employees, which can include recommending self-quarantine to employees who have been exposed to COVID-19. An exposure to COVID-19 may take place within the workplace, or an employee may report an exposure outside of the workplace.
This HR Insights article provides an overview of guidance from the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) for quarantine after exposure to COVID-19. This guidance addresses who should quarantine, as well as how long quarantine should last dependent on the scenario.
28 Aug Managing Employees With “Survivor’s Guilt” in the Workplace
“Survivor’s guilt” is often associated with car crashes or natural disasters, but it can occur after any traumatic event.
The emotion typically comes when individuals feel remorseful for making it through a tragedy when others did not. In a professional setting, employees may experience survivor’s guilt— and the anxiety that comes with it—after organizational layoffs, furloughs or other shake-ups.
Employers should do everything they can to address these complex emotions among employees following major workplace changes. Failing to do so can result in serious long-term consequences for employees and the organization as a whole.
This article provides a brief overview of how survivor’s guilt can affect a workforce and outlines mitigation steps for employers to take.
26 Aug CDC Updates Guidance for Quarantine After an Exposure to COVID-19
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues, employers are discerning appropriate actions to prioritize health and safety within their workplace. Organizations are responsible for protecting the health of their employees, which can include recommending self-quarantine to employees who have been exposed to COVID-19. An exposure to COVID-19...
26 Aug DOL Issues Guidance on Tracking Hours of Work for Remote Employees
On Aug. 24, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2020-5 to remind employers of their obligation to accurately account for the number of hours their employees work away from the employer’s facilities.
While the bulletin was issued in response to the high number of employees working remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the DOL is also reminding employers that the underlying principles apply to other telework or remote work arrangements.
26 Aug Shrimp and Peaches Both Recalled Due to Salmonella
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is drawing attention to two big national food recalls to prevent salmonella outbreaks. The advisories are focused on frozen shrimp and both bagged and bulk peaches.
As of Aug. 19, 2020, the salmonella outbreak linked to peaches has sickened 68 people in nine states. So far, there are no reports of anyone getting sick from the shrimp. Both investigations are ongoing.
20 Aug HR Toolkit – Leading Remote Teams
When planning how to address challenges and create an environment for successful remote teams, leaders will focus on best practices that support organization and team dynamics—but also, each individual employee. This toolkit provides considerations for having employees and teams succeed in a remote environment, and how...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends isolation to separate people infected with COVID-19 from people who are not infected.