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Marijuana in the Workplace in 2020

For years, the landscape surrounding marijuana and its uses, whether it be for medical use or recreational use, has been ever-changing. Since Colorado became the first state to legalize marijuana for medical use in 2000, and ultimately leading the charge in legalizing marijuana for recreational use in 2012, a total of 33 states and Washington … more »

Recent Rulings by the National Labor Relations Board

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) was created in response to the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 (NLRA) to be “an independent federal agency vested with the power to safeguard employees’ rights to organize and to determine whether to have unions as their bargaining representative. The agency also acts to prevent and remedy unfair … more »

Employer Considerations for Unexpected Workplace Closures Due to Inclement Weather

In bygone days, many workplaces held a policy, whether clearly articulated or unspoken, that business operations must never shut down. However, in recent years, as company branding and employee-friendly workplaces have become more popular, employers have begun to re-think their “always open” policies during inclement weather. Of course, when a blizzard strikes or a state … more »

What is an Employee Assistance Program?

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are employer-sponsored employee benefit programs created to help employees handle issues that may be negatively affecting their health and well-being and in turn, impacting their productivity at work. According to the 2018 SHRM Employee Benefits Research Report, 78 percent of surveyed employers offered an EAP. Those same employers found EAPs to … more »

New Rule: Defining the “Regular Rate” of Pay under FLSA

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a final rule that will take effect on January 15, 2020, with regards to what is considered the “regular rate” of pay for nonexempt employees with regards to the calculation of overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  Currently, the FLSA states that the … more »

Holidays and the Workplace: Proactive Planning for the Best Possible Outcomes

The holidays are right around the corner.  Holiday decorations are popping up in the stores and soon the only music that will be playing on the air will be focused on the season.  In the workplace, however, the positive spirit of the holidays depends greatly on the employer. While some employers enthusiastically embrace the holiday … more »

Year-End Motivation for Burned-Out Employees

The end of the year is closing in quickly and employees are in search for their last ounce of motivation as end of the year project deadlines and goals are top-of-mind. Managers are challenging their employees to finish the year strong and ultimately meet goals that were set at the beginning of the year. Unfortunately, … more »

Keeping Halloween in the Workplace “Spook-Free”

Beware, Halloween is right around the corner! Haunted houses, never-ending trick-or-treaters, and late-night mischief are a few things that come to mind when thinking about Halloween. However; things like inappropriate and offensive costumes, safety hazards, and employees potentially hassling other employees for not participating at work are the spooky things that keep HR managers and … more »

New Overtime Laws Take Effect January 2020

The federal overtime provisions contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) are applicable to most organizations and differentiate between two employment classifications: nonexempt employees who are eligible for overtime pay and exempt employees who are not.  These provisions mandate that, unless employees are exempt from overtime laws, they must be paid overtime at a … more »

Pitfalls to Avoid When Completing a Performance Evaluation

Performance evaluations are part of the overall performance management process within any organization. Generally, the performance management process starts with the creation and implementation of a well-defined job description, then the assessment of an employee’s performance compared to the essential duties and responsibilities as stated in the job description, and then intertwines with a merit-based … more »