I’ve heard that OSHA released new COVID-19 workplace guidance. Are there any new requirements?

by | Feb 23, 2021 | covid-19, Employment Law

Answer from Kara, JD, SPHR: Technically, no. OSHA’s new guidance is advisory in nature and creates no new legal obligations. However, one of President Biden’s first acts after being sworn in was to sign an Executive Order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety that...

Do I need to include an EEO statement in our job postings?

by | Feb 23, 2021 | Business Tips, Employment Law

Answer from Margaret, PHR, SHRM-CP: Unless you are a federal contractor, you are not required to have an EEO statement in your job postings. Some employers who are not federal contractors opt to include an EEO statement as a sign to applicants that they take diversity...

How do I determine whether a requested accommodation would be an undue hardship?

by | Feb 22, 2021 | Business Tips, Employment Law

Answer from Kyle, PHR: The basic definition of an undue hardship is an action that creates a significant difficulty or expense. There are no hard and fast rules governing what significant means, but the bar is intentionally set high in order to encourage employers to...

Is there a downside to screening the social media accounts of job candidates?

by | Jan 25, 2021 | Business Tips, Employment Law, Human Resources

Question:  Is there a downside to screening the social media accounts of job candidates? Answer from Kyle, PHR: There can be downsides, yes. First, screening social media accounts creates extra risk. You could be exposed to information about a candidate’s protected...

How should we handle returning personal belongings to a terminated employee? Can we pack them up for the employee?

by | Jan 25, 2021 | Business Tips, Employment Law

Question: How should we handle returning personal belongings to a terminated employee? Can we pack them up for the employee? Answer from Monica, SPHR, SHRM-CP: You may pack personal belonging for the employee or ask that they come in and collect their items. My...

What is the minimum amount of time that a salaried exempt employee must work to be paid for the entire day?

by | Jan 25, 2021 | Employment Law, Payroll, Time & Attendance

Question: What is the minimum amount of time that a salaried exempt employee must work to be paid for the entire day? Answer from Megan, SPHR, JD: If an exempt employee does any work, they must be paid for the full day—there is no minimum. For example, if an employee...