The next couple weeks are going to be busier than usual for us. Can I require my exempt employees to work weekends? If so, do I need to pay them for the extra hours?

by | Aug 31, 2020 | Human Resources, Time & Attendance

Answer from Marisa, SPHR: Yes, you can require an exempt employee to work weekends and not pay them extra, assuming they are properly classified this way. It’s pretty standard for exempt employees to be asked to work late or put in additional time on occasion, and in...

We’ve heard that some employees aren’t sanitizing their workstations and wearing masks when required. Do we need to investigate safety violations even if no one has made an official complaint?

by | Aug 20, 2020 | covid-19, Human Resources

Answer from Angela, SPHR: Yes, I recommend you investigate the matter and take appropriate enforcement or disciplinary action. As an employer, you have an obligation under the OSHA general duty clause to provide a workplace free from hazards. Under the circumstances,...

Six Tips for Managing Stress in the Workplace

by | Aug 6, 2020 | Business Tips, Human Resources

We’re all supposed to feel stress from time to time. It’s the way the body responds to demands and dangers. A stressful event triggers the release of hormones. These hormones, according to Psychology Today, “increase heartbeat and the circulation of blood to support...

Are depression and anxiety considered disabilities?

by | Aug 6, 2020 | Human Resources

Answer from Kyle, PHR: They can be, yes. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an individual with a disability is a person who: Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; has a record of such an...

Making the Workplace a Safe Place to Speak Up

by | Jul 15, 2020 | Human Resources

Right now, organizations across the country are asking themselves what they can do to make their workplaces more inclusive, diverse, and equitable, particularly for Black employees. They’re hosting conversations, acknowledging areas where they’ve fallen short, and...

Are we required to restore employees returning to work after a furlough to their original positions?

by | Jun 22, 2020 | Human Resources

Answer from Kyle, PHR: Unless an employee was out on job-protected leave, such as FMLA or EFMLA, you are not required to return them to their original position or to an equivalent one (or bring them back at all). Given the impact of COVID-19 on business operations...