Should we allow employees to use sick time for a “mental health day”?

by | Mar 18, 2025 | Human Resources, Time & Attendance

We certainly recommend this, and, depending on the circumstances and the state you operate in, it may also be required by law. Stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues can be as disruptive to someone’s work (and life) as a cold or flu. While mental illnesses...

Can we ask references about an applicant’s previous use of sick time? We’d like to get a sense of their reliability.

by | Oct 9, 2022 | Human Resources, Time & Attendance

Answer from Emily, MBA, SPHR: No, you shouldn’t make any inquiries into an applicant’s history of calling in sick. Asking about absences because of illness or injury before extending an offer of employment runs afoul of the Americans with Disabilities Act because it’s...