Question: We plan on offering group health insurance sometime soon, but in the meantime, we’d like to give employees medical reimbursements in their paychecks in lieu of offering insurance. Is this allowed? Answer: Jenny, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, one of our HR Pros says… The IRS prohibits employers from offering stipends or reimbursing employees for individual health […]
Category: HR Q&A
Q&A: Does Earmarked Money Apply Towards the Minimum Salary Threshold?
Question: We are a small company with 15 employees and therefore not required to offer health insurance. However, we give all employees additional money each pay period to use toward their health benefits. The amount is earmarked for this purpose on their paychecks but taxed like their regular income. Does this additional benefit money count […]
Q&A: When an Employee Takes Reclassification Personally
Question: One of our employees who is moving from exempt to non-exempt is taking the change in classification personally. Even after a company-wide meeting with those affected where everything was clearly explained, this employee insisted on having one-on-one follow up meetings with five different managers. We would like to write him up due to the […]
6 Ways to Lawfully Embrace Social Recruiting
6 Ways to Lawfully Embrace Social Recruiting by: Jonathan A. Segal I hear too many lawyers strongly discourage employers from ever looking at an applicant’s social media accounts. Yes, there are legal risks, but those risks can be mitigated. As important, there can be legal and business risks in not looking at social media during […]
Q&A: What is the difference between vacation time and PTO?
Question: What is the difference between vacation time and PTO? We’re trying to decide which one to offer. Answer: Celine, one of our HR Pros says… Vacation policies are intended to be used for the specific purpose of vacation or leisure time, and employers who offer vacation time generally offer sick leave as well. The […]
Q&A: What Is At-Will Employment?
Question: What is at-will employment? Answer: Sarah, PHR, SHRM-CP, one of our HR Pros says… In every U.S. state except Montana, employment is presumed to be at-will, meaning either the employer or the employee can legally terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause. The employer has […]
Q&A: A Question About Pay and Workers’ Compensation
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 […]
Sample Membership Justification Letter
Q&A: Asking About Previous Salaries
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 […]
Q&A: Can We Ask About an Applicant’s Previous Work-Related Injuries?
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 […]