HR
Keeping track of employee productivity has always been important, but it’s even more significant in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the majority of employers allowing remote work, accurate time tracking isn’t always a guarantee.25 Sep Keeping Political Discussion Civil at Work
Political discussion has and will continue to be a reality in many work environments. Work can already be a stressful place for many, with political discussion adding an additional stressor for employees—and in many cases, an additional concern for employers. While disagreement in and of itself isn’t always a detriment to all workplaces, political discussion can negatively affect the work environment for many employees.
This article addresses the impact that political discussion has in the workplace and steps that employers can consider to help keep political discussion civil.
25 Sep DOL Proposes Changes to FLSA Independent Contractor Classification Test
On Sept. 22, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposed rule to clarify how employers should classify their workers as either employees or independent contractors.
Accurate worker classification enables employers to determine which obligations, protections, rights and benefits apply to their employees under the law.
25 Sep California Authorizes Stop-Work Orders and Requires Worker Exposure Notices for COVID-19
On Sept. 17, 2020, California enacted a new law (AB 685) that authorizes the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (the Division) to issue stop-work orders for facilities or operations that pose an imminent COVID-19 hazard to workers.
The new law also requires employers to:
- Notify workers when they have potentially been exposed to the coronavirus in the workplace; and
- Notify local public health agencies when a worksite has a COVID-19 outbreak.
04 Sep DOL Issues New FAQs on FFCRA Leave and Return to School
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has published new frequently asked questions (FAQs) about whether employees qualify for paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) in different schools reopening situations, including those that blend in-person with distance learning.
02 Sep States Update Employee Leave Requirements for Coronavirus
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.
These provisions are in addition to the federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion requirements passed on March 18 as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
In general, employee leave permitted under new state COVID-19 rules and guidance varies with respect to factors like the employers and employees covered by the leave, the length and purpose of the leave, whether the leave is compensated and at what rate, and whether the leave is provided under a new law or rule, or covered under an existing provision.
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 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.
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