We’ve recently learned that one of our employees is planning to leave the company and has been applying for positions elsewhere. Can we terminate them?

Answer from Kelley, PHR: Terminating employment because an employee is looking for work elsewhere isn’t expressly prohibited by law, but we wouldn’t recommend it. You might be surprised by how many of your employees are looking for other opportunities—either actively...

One of our employees was arrested today. Can we terminate their employment?

Answer from Laura, SHRM-CP: We would recommend against terminating employment simply on the basis of an arrest. For one thing, the fact of an arrest is neither proof that criminal conduct occurred nor an indication that the arrested employee will be convicted of a...

Is There a Better Way to Pay Workers’ Compensation?

There is a better way to pay your workers’ compensation insurance premiums than being hit hard with a sizable one-time sum. You’ve heard murmurs around the metaphorical watercooler of a “pay-as-you-go” method of workers’ compensation payments—rumors that it can’t be...

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

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...

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

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...