Category: HR Compliance

Question: Are we required to pay a non-exempt employee for their time spent attending appointments related to a workers’ compensation claim? Answer: Eric, one of our HR Pros says… The general practice for payment in these matters depends on a few factors. If the employee received medical attention on your premises or at your direction […]

Question: I’ve heard that some states are passing laws prohibiting employers from asking job applicants about their previous salary. Will this affect me? Answer: Kara, JD, SPHR, one of our HR Pros says… The short answer is not yet, and maybe not ever. Massachusetts recently passed a law prohibiting such questions, though it doesn’t go […]

Question: Are we allowed to ask about an applicant’s previous work-related injuries and workers’ compensation history during an interview? Answer: Russell, one of our HR Pros says… No, an employer may not ask about work-related injuries or workers’ compensation history in an interview. Asking about injuries may elicit information about a disability, and under the […]

Question: What are the requirements for internships to be unpaid? Answer: Aimee, one of our HR Pros says… The DOL uses the six factors below to evaluate whether a worker is an intern or an employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). These six criteria must be applied when making this determination: […]

Question: Do you recommend doing reference checks? Answer: Rebecca, one of our HR Pros says… Thank you for your question. I am definitely an advocate for reference checks. Speaking to references is a great way to get more information about applicants and to verify the information they’ve provided to you. As a best practice, I […]

Question: What is an introductory period and how does it work? Answer: Margaret, one of our HR Pros says… An introductory period is a period of time put in place for an employer and a new employee to evaluate each other and determine if the employment relationship is a good fit. For employers who have […]

Question:

Can we reduce an employee’s hours as a disciplinary measure?

Question:

We have an employee with a disfigured hand. It doesn’t affect his work or otherwise bother him, but other employees have complained that it looks “creepy.” How should we address this?

Question: How do I know if the FLSA applies to my company? Is there any exception for small employers? Answer: Eric, one of our HR Pros says… The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the new salary threshold for white-collar exempt employees apply to nearly all employers and employees. There is no exception for small […]