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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 »

Does Your Organization Have a Plan for Returning Employees to the Workplace?

Does your organization have a plan for returning employees to the workplace? Meaning has your organization thought through the steps that need to take place in order to get employees back into your facility? Employees want to know what is expected of them and how their employer is going to keep them safe in their … more »

Managing Workplace Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation Amidst a Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of life for the average employee, including their workplace. Many employees are still working remotely, while some have gone back to working in the office. What has not changed or subsided is workplace sexual harassment and discrimination. Even in the virtual workplace, sexual harassment and discrimination in every … 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 »

COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Workplace

Since the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations for COVID-19, many employers are debating whether to mandate vaccinations in their workplace, once they become available. With the reality that many people already don’t take social distancing seriously, and given the knowledge that an “emergency use” approval is … more »

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New Focus HR is a human resources consulting and training company that services all organizations. Our expert team collaborates with businesses to attract, motivate, retrain and retain their biggest assets, employees. While engaged with an organization, our focus is to find solutions that improve the company’s internal HR-related practices while increasing results at the same time! Our focus. Your results.

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