Bereavement leave typically allows employees to take time off to grieve, make arrangements, or attend services following the death of a loved one. If you offer bereavement leave, we recommend having a policy that sets clear expectations and processes for requesting, approving, and using leave. Here are some things to include: * Who is eligible. […]
Category: HR Q&A
Q&A: We are planning to switch to a new communications software in our office. How can we help employees navigate this change?
Change always has its challenges and risks. Here are some practical tips to make this software rollout as smooth as possible: • Communicate why you’re switching to the new software and what it will improve (e.g., faster turnaround or simpler processes). When employees understand the reasons for a change and the positive effect it will […]
Q&A: What is a phishing scam and how can we protect our organization and employees?
Phishing is a scam in which the attacker pretends to be a trusted person or company and uses electronic means such as emails, texts, or phone calls to steal information. Specifically, the attacker tries to trick you into handing over sensitive information like usernames, passwords, payroll data, banking information, and customer data. They often encourage […]
Q&A: We have several employees who seldom speak up during meetings. How can we encourage them?
Employees may be hesitant to speak up during meetings for a variety of reasons. They might not know whether they should or how much time they can take. They might need a few moments to gather their thoughts before responding to new information. They might feel speaking up isn’t worth it or worry about saying […]
Q&A: Do you have any tips for managing remote employees?
Managing remote employees can pose certain challenges, but most can be overcome by making sure you’re focusing on the right things. Here are some of the practices we recommend: • Set measurable goals around quantity or quality of work, or both. Whether employees get their work done to your satisfaction is more important to your […]
Q&A: An employee recently resigned and hasn’t yet returned some company equipment. Can we hold on to their final paycheck until they return everything?
No, you can’t hold or delay an employee’s final paycheck while waiting for company equipment to be returned. Federal law requires that employees receive their final paycheck by their next regular payday, while almost half of the states require that they be paid within a shorter timeframe. In both cases, the obligation to pay in […]
Q&A: We have an employee out due to a work-related injury. Do we still need to send them Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) paperwork if they’re already on workers’ compensation?
It depends. The FMLA and workers’ compensation serve different purposes. The FMLA provides unpaid job-protected leave, while workers’ compensation provides medical coverage and wage replacement when an employee is out due to a workplace injury. If the injury qualifies as a serious health condition under the FMLA, you’re a covered employer, and the employee is […]
Q&A: How can we help our employees write professional goals that are meaningful and motivating to them? Some of our employees don’t know where to begin.
Getting started can be the hardest part of setting professional goals, especially for employees who haven’t thought about it before or don’t see any value in it. Here are a few ways you can help your employees create and feel connected to their professional goals: • Share upcoming projects, team priorities, or company goals with […]
Q&A: What is an individual development plan?
An individual development plan (IDP) is a structured professional development plan created to support an employee’s growth within an organization. The employee and their manager work together to outline the employee’s career goals and identify specific actions (such as training or stretch assignments), timelines (such as quarterly check-ins), and resources (such as mentors or educational […]
Q&A: Can we tell employees not to talk about their pay with each other?
Generally, no. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) grants all non-supervisory employees (not just those in unions) the right to organize and engage in “concerted activity” for the purpose of mutual aid or protection. Concerted means “in concert,” meaning more than one employee is involved. Activities for mutual aid and protection could include discussions about […]