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It is that time of year when most of us use the greeting “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” or “Season’s Greetings.” Some ask, which one is politically correct in my work environment?  The answer depends completely upon the cultural or religious diversity in your work environment.  However, with that being said, employers must be cautious about … more »

New Focus HR Consultants frequently receive calls from employers asking the question, “Do I need to pay nonexempt employees for travel time?”  The answer is confusing to most as it is “maybe?”  The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) travel-time regulations include a provision that has confused employers, leading them to mistakenly think that they … more »

It’s the time of year for holiday party planning. The tough question that arises is how to make your employees enthusiastic about attending your company party? Here are some tips to help throw a better company party. First, it’s always good to ask for your employee’s opinions and suggestions on how they’d like to celebrate … more »

On July 14, 2014, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued new enforcement guidelines on pregnancy discrimination and related issues for covered employers with 15 or more employees in their workforce.  The guidelines include a new interpretation of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) that would require employers to provide “reasonable accommodation,” as defined by the … more »

It’s gorgeous outside, warm, sunny and inviting. Right now your employees are sitting in their cubicles thinking of all the things they’d rather be doing then working. Productivity is certain to be low during times like these. So how can you motivate your employees to stay productive and keep business moving in the right direction? … more »

Sourcing for a new candidate for your organization may often be an exhausting experience. In some situations it may seem as if a certain position within your company is a revolving door. Why is that? Are you sourcing for the wrong type of person to match a job? Rest assured, the perfect applicant can be … more »

Studies have shown that organizations often have errors on more than half of their I-9 forms (formally known as Form I-9). This can lead to steep penalties should a workplace compliance audit arise. To help avoid errors on the I-9 forms, nothing is better than a thorough review immediately after the form is filled out. … more »

What is E-Verify? E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Employment and Eligibility Verification, Form I-9, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.   Who uses E-Verify? Employers, large and small, across the U.S. use E-Verify to check the employment … more »

It is that time of year when most of us use the greeting “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” or “Season’s Greetings.” Some ask, which one is politically correct in my work environment? The answer depends completely upon the cultural or religious diversity in your work environment. However, with that being said, employers must be cautious about … more »

This is the most wonderful time of the year for most. Religious, cultural and seasonal celebrations with family, friends and business colleagues can be wonderful experiences. To keep it wonderful, employers should incorporate the following suggestions into their holiday party in order to help minimize their risk and liability when alcohol is a factor:   … more »