Several weeks ago, the United States Supreme Court made a monumental decision concerning the right and legality of same-sex marriages, ruling that same-sex marriage should be legal and recognized in all states. This ruling also expanded the federal laws granting marriage rights and protections to spouses which impacts employer administration of the Family and Medical […]
Balancing Business Needs with Empathy During Time of Grief
The mantra to keep your personal life separate from your job is an old school belief that doesn’t always apply to the realities of the modern workplace. Human nature being what it is, employers must recognize that it is not always possible to separate your personal life from the office; particularly in situations where a […]
Proof Of Receipt Vital When Mailing FMLA Notices, Appeals Court Rules
Sending a legally mandated notice via ordinary U.S. mail is not sufficient proof that the intended recipient of the notice actually received it, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit recently ruled in a case with potentially far reaching implications for employers. The Case The case involves an instructor at one of the […]
Avoiding Cookie Cutter Management: Knowing When (and Why) It Is Not Okay To Treat Employees the Same
It is much easier to not ruffle any feathers with your staff by treating everyone exactly the same regardless of the circumstances isn’t it? After all, managing with a fair and equitable hand is a best management practice. Strong managers have to be a stickler when it comes to company policy and general practice and […]
When Is An Employee Request For Reasonable Accommodations Actually Reasonable?
What do you do when your employee comes to you requesting a change in hours because a sleep condition makes it difficult for them to get up early? Or when an employee needs to take time off during business hours for medical appointments on a continuous basis? How do you handle situations where your employee […]
Helping Employees Re-enter the Workforce After Treatment for Psychological Issues
Psychological disorders are a very real health dilemma in the workplace; and issues like depression are much more prevalent than you may think. It can be easier for an employee to share that they have a serious physical illness with their employer than it is to disclose that they may have a mental health issue. […]
Appeals Court Favors Employer: Employee Should Have Clearly Stated FMLA Request
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals confirmed in the appeals case of Patrick Hurley v. Kent of Naples, Inc. that in order to be protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), an employee must clearly request time away from work for an FMLA-qualifying leave. The Case Patrick Hurley, the plaintiff, indicated that he […]
Accommodating Your Employees’ Religious Beliefs
Employees not only bring their skills and experiences to work but their beliefs. When it comes to religious beliefs, you may be required to provide your employees with reasonable accommodations under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act provides a safeguard for employees against discrimination based on religious practices among other […]
Understanding Your Obligations for Paying Staff During Winter Storm Closings
Given the spate of snowstorms over the last several months, employers have been faced with shutting their doors early or closing down the company altogether during the height of the winter storms. It’s important to be in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards act, (FLSA) when it comes to paying your staff. The legal alert, […]
Preventing FMLA Abuses
The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) permits eligible employees to take fully paid leave for specific medical and family reasons. As an employer, it’s your responsibility to ensure that employees do not abuse this facility to take paid days off. Abuse of the FMLA happens more frequently than many employers might assume. About 32 percent […]
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