Tag: employee

The Art of Leadership: Choosing the Right Role in Critical Moments

How many times have you or one of your leaders been presented with the following scenario: A member of your team calls, clearly stressed, and after explaining the situation says something like: “I am really struggling with this. What should I do?” We’ve all been there, perhaps several times per day with several different team […]

What To Expect (From the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act) When You’re Expecting

Since 1978, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)—which amended Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964—has prohibited discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions. For 45 years, however, the landmark law fell short of specifically addressing a pregnant or postpartum employee’s need for special accommodations while working. Until now. A New Law […]

Possibilities … Endless Possibilities

Yes, I know I went with a Marvel theme in my last column. But I’m the author, and that carries at least some privileges, so I’m going back to Marvel. Marvel does make it easy, as they’ve been pumping out so much content lately. Their latest offering is What If…? an animated series that ponders how […]

FMLA

Q&A: Determining Whether Elective Surgeries Are Covered Under FMLA

Q: An employee is having an elective surgery that won’t require an overnight hospital stay, but she will be off work for two weeks to recover and will possibly have some restrictions afterward. Will her surgery and time off be covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)? A: Under the FMLA, an eligible […]

What to Know About Free Speech, Cancel Culture, and Your Business

The phrase “cancel culture” has become ubiquitous over the last couple years. It strikes fear in the hearts of social media influencers and public figures everywhere. One post in poor taste or the unearthing of a years-old tweet can bring a screeching halt to a politician’s campaign or an emerging artist’s rise to fame. So, […]

student loan

Contributions Now Tax-Free, Student Loan Debt Repayment Programs Gain Traction

A growing number of organizations are adding student loan repayment solutions to their benefits lineup. While expanded tax benefits for both employers and employees are a big part of the allure, HR leaders also understand the broader implications. The tax advantages are one thing. But instituting these programs can also help correct the productivity drain […]

Employee’s COBRA Rights Forfeited Due to Employer’s Plan Termination

COBRA’s protection only arises upon the occurrence of a “qualifying event.” In other words, COBRA is triggered any time an employee or a dependent loses group health plan coverage. For COBRA to apply, there must be a loss of coverage caused by one of the specific statutory events: termination or reduction in hours of employment, […]

handbook

5 Reasons to Update Your Employee Handbook in 2021

I often tell clients one of the most important documents they need to have is an employee handbook, and it needs to be up to date and legally compliant. Why? An out-of-date, an inaccurate, or a poorly written handbook really can do more harm than good. If you don’t have a handbook, put one in […]

fit

COVID-19 Crisis Reinforces Value of Making Good Hires

Nothing draws out an employee’s true nature quite like a global pandemic. Many workers have risen to the occasion during the COVID-19 crisis and worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of their families and communities. On the other hand, some took advantage of remote work or limited supervision by watching “Tiger King” or baking a […]