Category
Employee Policies
CDC changes COVID-19 Isolation Guidelines – No More 5 days
In early March, the CDC significantly relaxed its isolation guidelines for those testing positive for COVID. According to the new 25 page guidance for COVID and other respiratory viruses (including flu and RSV), a person no longer has to isolate for five days. CDC now recommends that COVID positive people should stay home while sick,......
Phrases to Improve Employees with Attitude Problems
We often talk to clients who have an employee who has started to demonstrate a poor attitude at work (non-cooperative, lack of communication, negative comments, etc…) at work. Can these employees be saved? When addressing an employee’s attitude problem in a performance review, it’s important to provide constructive feedback that f...
What Should Employers Know about Florida’s New Constitutional Carry Law?
On July 1, 2023, Florida House Bill 543 became law and authorized the concealed carry of firearms with or without a license to carry. So-called Constitutional Carry means that a permit is not required to carry a concealed firearm. There are a lot of myths and misunderstandings about the new law so various law enforcement......
PTO Can be Docked from Salaried Employees
Paid time off is a fringe benefit and is not considered part of a worker’s salary ruled a federal appeals court on March 15, 2023. In a case brought by employees (nurses, physical therapists and social workers) at Bayada Home Health Care, the judges concluded that the company can take away paid leave when salaried......
FTC Proposes Rule to Ban Non-compete Clauses: What Happens next?
In January, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposed a new rule that would ban employers from imposing noncompetes on their workers, a widespread and often exploitative practice that suppresses wages, hampers innovation, and blocks entrepreneurs from starting new businesses. By stopping this practice, the agency estimates that the new proposed r...
Conciliation Agreements: What are the EEOC Requirements?
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigates charges of unlawful discrimination and conducts an investigation into the allegations and the employer’s response. After assessing the evidence, the EEOC sometimes issues a Letter of Determination that there is reasonable cause to believe that a company discriminated against the ...
Employee not responding to FMLA notices, loses FMLA protection
Good news for employers! A recent Oregon court case demonstrated the importance of following the required FMLA notices to eligible employees and the consequences to an employee that ignored the notices to his detriment. Employees that fail to follow the employer’s usual and customary notice requirements for requesting FMLA leave, will ordinar...
How to Fix I9s Completed for Remote Employees Because of COVID-19
Since March 20, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has given employers flexibility when completing I9 forms for employees that are working remotely because of COVID-19 safety precautions. The physical presence requirements associated with the Form I9 (it is required to physically review the original employee identity and employment aut...
Get 2021 Started Right: 10 HR Action Items
Now that we have closed out 2020, and started 2021, its time for Human Resources/Payroll to take some important year-end actions to ensure a smooth transition into 2021. Consultstu has created a 10 point HR Checklist to ensure your Company is up to date with fast-changing federal/state rules and regulations. Update your Applicant New Hire......
Mandatory Paid COVID leave (FFCRA) Expires 12/31/20, Now Voluntary
On January 1, 2021, employers are no longer mandated to provide expanded paid COVID sick days and emergency family leave benefits that was put into place by the Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Covered employers (private employers with under 500 employees and public employers) have the option to voluntarily permit employees to use any...
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