One of your employees who is moving from exempt to non-exempt is taking his change in reclassification personally. Even after a company-wide meeting with those affected where everything was clearly explained, this employee insists on having one-on-one follow up meetings with five different managers. Should you discipline this employee? What is the best way to handle […]
Your organization is a small company with 15 employees and therefore does not require you to offer health insurance. However, you give all of your 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 regular income. Does this additional benefit […]
Are you allowed to ask about an applicant’s previous work-related injuries and workers’ compensation history during an interview? No, absolutely not. 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 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you may […]
Speaking to references is an excellent way to get more information about applicants and be able to verify the information they’ve provided to you. As a best practice, it is recommended that you get an applicant’s formal written consent to check their references, but if they’ve provided you with a reference list with names and contact […]
Do you have what it takes to be an effective project manager? While these traits are important to almost all management positions for project managers they are imperative. Do you feel you have the traits to be an effective project manager? Organizational Skills – not just the standard good files organized, it goes beyond that […]
Unhappy employees often throw around the phrase “hostile work environment,” which can quickly lead employers to have nightmares about lawsuits and government inquiries. But for harassment to rise to the level of being unlawful, it not only has to be based on a person’s inclusion in a protected class (e.g., race, sexual orientation, age), it […]
While employers have the right to regulate employees’ on-duty conduct, they are more limited in how much control they can exert when employees are not on duty. We know issues may arise when employees engage in social activities after hours where they feel they can let loose or otherwise act in a way that is […]
In November of 2015, Congress passed the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act, requiring federal agencies to increase their civil penalties to account for inflation. Many agencies had not done so in more than a decade. This initial increase in rates is capped at 150 percent. Going forward, the rates will be adjusted […]
ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) are getting tough on violations. The number of audits are increasing. E-verify is mandatory for many employers. Are you following all the rules and laws when bringing in new hires? Are you prepared for a potential audit and subsequent fines? Contact CyQuest today for assistance with this and other […]
What salary did you make in your last position? Is it legal to ask an applicant that question? If you’re in Massachusetts a law goes into effect in 2018 prohibiting employers from asking that question. California passed legislation on a similar law, but it was vetoed. Many other states are working towards legislation regarding salary questions. While […]
