Question: Our HR person received an email from the CEO requesting copies of employee payroll records, but the CEO did not send this email. Could this be a phishing scam? Answer from Eric, SPHR, SHRM-SCP: Yes, this is probably a phishing scam. Inform your IT staff right away, and do not respond to the email. […]
Category: HR Q&A
Q&A: Do Employees Have to Sign Their Timesheets?
Question: We have employees that submit time sheets. Is it mandatory that they sign them? Answer: Eric, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, one of our HR Pros says… It is not a requirement that time sheets be signed. We recommend that employees acknowledge that their time records are accurate, either by signing them or by some other submission […]
Reminder: OSHA 300A Forms Must Be Posted by February 1
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates that all employers who are required to maintain the OSHA 300 Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses post a summary of the previous year’s log between February 1st and April 30th each year, even if no incidents occurred in the preceding calendar year. The summary (OSHA Form […]
Q&A: Some employees were comparing their paychecks, and it was causing a great deal of tension and complaining….
Question: Some employees were comparing their paychecks, and it was causing a great deal of tension and complaining. We, therefore, put a statement in the employee handbook prohibiting the practice. But now one employee tells us she won’t sign the handbook because of our request to keep pay information confidential. How should we proceed? Answer […]
Q&A: When an Exempt Employee’s Salary May Be Reduced
Margaret holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Portland State University and a Professional Certificate in Human Resources Management. She has worked in a variety of HR roles in a multi-state capacity. Margaret regularly attends seminars and other continuing education courses to stay current […]
Q&A: Acceptable Workplace Poster Locations
Question: We currently have the federal workplace posters displayed in the lunch room. We want to use that space on the wall for other things, and we were thinking of moving the posters to the employee entrance. What are the posting location guidelines? Answer: Rebecca, SPHR, one of our HR Pros says… Thank you for […]
Happy New Year!
It’s official! I’m replacing new year resolutions’ with inventing new possibilities for myself. Webster.com defines Possibility as: one’s utmost power, capacity, or ability, potential or prospective value. I, you, we, possess the ability to live the life we want, the one we dream about, even the life we envy on someone else. Inventing new possibilities […]
Q&A: Can We Reimburse for the Cost of Meals?
Question: Currently, we pay our technicians $35 per day per diem for meals when they travel to attend training out of town. We have found that they sometimes eat very cheaply to save the money and pocket the difference. Do we have the option to reimburse them for the actual cost of meals using receipts […]
Q&A: How Performance-Based Raises Can Lead to Wage Compression
Question: Our senior leadership team wants to focus on compensation this quarter. Currently, our raises and bonuses are tied to performance. Can you help me to understand the HR best practices for raises based on performance vs. raises based on market factors? Answer: Jenny, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, one of our HR Pros says… It sounds like […]
Q&A: Why Employers Have Inclusive Holiday Parties
Question: We want to host a Christmas party for our employees. One of our team members felt like we should call it a “Holiday Party” instead of a “Christmas Party.” As a privately-owned company, do we have a choice here? Answer: Russell, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, one of our HR Pros says… There is no rule that […]