Question: Can an employee submit a new W-4 at any time? Answer from Kendra, PHR : Yes, an employee may submit a new W-4 anytime they have changes. Often, they’ll submit a new form when they know they’ll be changing exemptions, adjustments, deductions, or credits on their return. For example, an employee may want to […]
Category: HR Q&A
Q&A: Can the same person be both an employee and an independent contractor?
Question: Can the same person be both an employee and an independent contractor? Answer from Monica, SPHR, SHRM-CP: According to IRS guidelines, it is possible to have a W-2 employee who also performs work as a 1099 independent contractor so long as the individual is performing completely different duties that would qualify them as an […]
Q & A: We’re approaching my department’s busy season … help our employees and reduce their stress?
Question: We’re approaching my department’s busy season. Is there anything we can do during this time to help our employees and reduce their stress? Answer from Jenny, SPHR, SHRM-SCP: Remove or reassign non-essential work duties: Before the busy season begins, ask employees in your department to make a list of tasks that other departments could […]
Q&A: Are job descriptions required by law?
Question: Are job descriptions required by law? Answer from Marisa, PHR: Job descriptions are not required by law, but they’re certainly great to have and serve several purposes. First, a job description, when accurately written, should reflect the actual work done. The applicant or employee can see what will be expected of them and to […]
Q&A: We have employees that are unable to get to work due to the hurricane…
Question: We have employees that are unable to get to work due to the hurricane. Some of them haven’t contacted us at all and we’re wondering if we should follow our three-day no-show termination policy. We’re also wondering about paying everyone – should we use their sick or vacation time or just have these days […]
Q&A: I’ve heard about the DACA program ending. What does this mean and what do I need to do?
Question: I’ve heard about the DACA program ending. What does this mean and what do I need to do? Answer from Aimee, GPHR, SHRM-SCP: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on September 5th that they have initiated the “orderly phase out” of the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The DACA […]
Q& A: Are we allowed to look through an employee’s email while they are still employed?
Question: Are we allowed to look through an employee’s email while they are still employed? Answer from Emily, PHR: The short answer is yes, you can monitor employee email. As a general rule, employees should not have an expectation of privacy when using company computers or email accounts. That said, the law is not perfectly […]
Q&A: One of our employees interviewed a candidate … the candidate mentioned having social anxiety … Is there anything else that I should have done?
Question: One of our employees interviewed a candidate today and emailed me afterward. He was impressed by the candidate but grew concerned after the candidate mentioned having social anxiety. He wondered whether the anxiety could affect the candidate’s ability to do the job. I reminded the employee that we’re an Equal Opportunity Employer and we […]
Q&A: We’ve been approached by some local college students who are volunteering to be unpaid interns. Can we bring them on without paying them?
Question: We’ve been approached by some local college students who are volunteering to be unpaid interns. Can we bring them on without paying them? Answer from Sarah, PHR, SHRM-CP: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are certain requirements that must be met when taking on unpaid interns. These requirements are intended to ensure […]
Why aPHR Certification Makes the Journey Smoother
A recent conversation I had with someone about aPHR Certification and why it’s helpful in career building on LinkedIn took place recently. One of her comments was “my fear is that obtaining an HR certification will not be enough. The job search process is so subjective.” True. But there’s a little more to it than that. […]