Protected classes—also known as protected characteristics—come from several federal laws (about half are from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964). Although we’re usually talking about them with respect to employment, they may also come into play in housing, education, and public accommodations. The...
Can an employee waive overtime pay with a signed letter? No. An employee can’t waive their right to overtime pay, even if they want to. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) prohibits the waiver of an employee's rights to overtime pay (and minimum wage) in...
Lately, we’ve noticed employees using wearable devices while working. We have a policy that limits personal cell phone use at work. Can we expand that to include wearables like smartwatches? Answer from Eric, SPHR, SHRM-SCP: Yes, you can expand your policy to include wearables or other smart...
Reminder: Annual OSHA Form 300A Posting Begins February 1 Employers that had 11 or more employees at any point in 2022 are required to post Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Form 300A from February 1 through April 30 unless they qualify as an exempt low-risk...
Have you heard about pay transparency? It’s the idea that companies should be open with employees and applicants about pay and, more broadly, what factors they include when making decisions about compensation. It’s no secret that expectations around pay have changed, and employers need to pay...
The office holiday party is a time-honored tradition: readers of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol may remember the Christmas party hosted by Ebenezer Scrooge’s old boss, Nigel Fezziwig. While the look and feel of these end-of-year holiday parties have changed since the 1840s, they remain a popular...
Michigan Increases Minimum Wage On January 1, 2023, Michigan’s minimum wage will increase to $10.10 per hour. The minimum base wage for tipped employees will be $3.84 per hour. Michigan’s minimum wage applies to employers with two or more employees. These rates could increase in February 2023...
Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Increases Beginning on January 1, 2023, the minimum wage for work performed on or in connection with federal contracts will increase as follows: For contracts covered by Executive Order 13658: the minimum wage will increase to $12.15 per hour and the minimum base wage...
The short answer is yes: the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires you to get permission from your applicant or employee before conducting a background check. Aside from this legal requirement, telling applicants what to expect as part of the selection process is considered a...
Yes, you can and should require that remote employees notify the company when they move. There may be compliance and tax obligations when an employee relocates to a new city or state—not only for the employee, but also for you as the employer. For example,...