Our Focus. Your Results. 317-445-4163

Blog

Who is the EEOC and Who is Considered to be a Covered Employer?

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, also known as the EEOC, is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal for employers to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic … more »

Paid Sick Leave Beyond the Pandemic

Throughout 2020 and into the beginning months of 2021, organizations have been focused on complying with COVID-related leave per the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The FFCRA, which expired on December 31, 2020, required covered employers to provide employees up to two-weeks (80-hours) of paid sick leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. While … more »

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Classification: Exempt or Nonexempt?

Correctly classifying a position within an organization as exempt (salaried), or nonexempt (hourly) with regards to minimum wage and overtime is often something that is overlooked. While misclassifying employees is relatively common among many organizations, it poses a significant risk to organizations in the form of costly fines, negative exposure, and time-consuming law suits. The … more »

What is Employee Relations and How is it Affected by the Tensions of this Last Year?

Employee relations is an often-used and overarching term that has different implications for different people in the workplace. To employers with unions, it may be synonymous with labor relations. To non-union employers, employee relations may be a constructive strategic tool, or it could solely focus on negative reactive issues such as theft, harassment investigations, or … more »

Conversations about Politics, Religion and Other Uncomfortable Topics in the Workplace

Given the hostility and conflict in the 2020 presidential election, the tumultuous transition in the presidential administration, the ongoing COVID-19 concerns, and racial tensions, employers may have noticed an uptick in uncomfortable conversations in the workplace this past year. While some individuals have been raised to “never talk about religion, sex, or politics” in social … more »

Do You Have Employees Who are Afraid to Return to the Workplace?

Does your organization have a plan for employees who are scared to return to the workplace once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted?  Meaning has your organization thought through the steps that you are going to take when an employee who has been working remotely refuses to return to your facility? We already know that if an … more »

OSHA Issues Revised Guidance on Preventing COVID-19 in the Workplace

In an executive order on January 21, 2021, President Biden instructed the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) to issue revised guidance to employers on workplace health safety during the COVID-19 pandemic within two-weeks. Eight days later, on January 29, 2021, OSHA delivered stronger guidance, titled “Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread … more »

The Business Use of E-Signatures in Light of the Pandemic

This past year, many employers were left scrambling to keep their companies functioning in the midst of pandemic-related federal, state and local laws and guidelines. Those companies that already had a foundation of technology-related processes found it easier to implement remote work policies and procedures. After all, with the technology in today’s society, remote communication … more »