A new employee told coworkers that she received a signing bonus. Now they’re upset, saying they’ve been here longer and haven’t gotten anything extra. What should I do?

by | Nov 22, 2022 | Human Resources

Answer from Janelle, SHRM-CP, SHRM-PMQ: First, don’t reprimand the new employee who shared her salary information. Discussing pay is a protected concerted activity under the National Labor Relations Act. You can read about this law and what protections it provides to...

An employee let us know their paycheck was short. Can we wait to pay the difference on their next check?

by | Nov 22, 2022 | Human Resources, Payroll

Answer from Kyle, PHR: Don’t wait. If the employee was underpaid, it is in your best interest to pay the employee the difference immediately. Wages are due on the regular payday for the pay period covered, as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act. State law may...

What are protected classes or characteristics?

by | Nov 22, 2022 | Employment Law, Human Resources

Answer from Kara, JD, SPHR: Protected classes—also known as protected characteristics—come from several federal laws, though about half are from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Although we’re usually talking about them with respect to employment, they may...

We have discovered an employee has been sleeping during lunch breaks. Can we ask employees not to sleep in the office during their lunch break (or any other unpaid break)?

by | Nov 19, 2022 | Human Resources

Answer from Kelley, PHR: It depends. Generally, employees can use unpaid breaks as they see fit. However, if the employee sleeping is affecting their work, disrupting others, or otherwise negatively impacting the business, you could (and should) address those issues....

What are the best practices for disciplining employees?

by | Nov 13, 2022 | Business Tips, Human Resources

Answer from Kim, SPHR, AAM, CPIW: Discipline is an act on the part of the employer to address and correct inappropriate behavior or a policy violation by an employee. Discipline functions both as an incentive for employees to refrain from bad behavior in the first...

Can we require remote employees to inform us when they move to a new city or state?

by | Nov 6, 2022 | Human Resources

Answer from Kim, SPHR, SHRM-SCP: Yes, you can and should require that remote employees notify the company when they move. There may be compliance and tax obligations when an employee relocates to a new city or state—not only for the employee, but also for you as the...