Compliance

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA)

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) is federal legislation that expands the protections for employees with limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. The law requires employers to grant these workers reasonable accommodations unless the accommodations will cause undue hardship. Ultimately, this act allows the employee to keep doing their job while protecting their health.

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

Do I have to keep these background checks? How long is a “reasonable amount of time?” What does “permissible purpose” mean? Here are the answers to all your Fair Credit Reporting Act questions!

Mergers and Acquisitions

When companies combine, HR has big roles to fill. Mergers and acquisitions require a great deal of planning in order to execute flawlessly. HR professionals are involved in many aspects of the process, so read on to learn more about the considerations and how you can help.

Change Leadership

Big changes are coming! What is your organization’s approach? Learn how to overcome resistance, inspire your team and drive positive transformation that will propel your organization to new heights of success by becoming a change leader. Here’s how.

Arbitration

Unfortunately, conflict is inevitable. Arbitration can resolve workplace disputes fairly and quickly. Read on to consider how it can help your organization.

HR Risk Management

Unsure where to start with risk management? This article will help you build your organization’s risk management from the ground up.

Whistleblower Policy

Employees may be hesitant to report misconduct in the workplace due to fear of retaliation. HR professionals are responsible to review and establish a whistleblowing policy within their organizations so employees feel protected when they report illegal and unethical practices.

Pregnancy Discrimination Act

Are you aware that there are laws about how you treat your pregnant employees? The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 protects the rights of pregnant employees in the workplace. Read on to learn more.

Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN)

Employee layoffs are difficult for both the employer and employee. Beyond the effect a layoff will have on the employee(s), are you aware of the potential legal ramifications? When laying off employees, be aware of the WARN act. This article dives deeper into the WARN act and the role it plays for employers and employees.

Form 941

If you pay wages, chances are you’ll need to complete Form 941. In this article, you’ll learn more about Form 941, who should file it, and why.

Form 940

Payroll can be complex. There are tons of forms to complete and federal taxes to be paid, such as FUTA. To pay your FUTA tax, you must first complete Form 940. To learn more about this form, keep reading.

Child Labor Laws

Youth today are more ambitious than ever and can offer unique skill sets and opportunities to your workforce. But what laws and regulations should you be aware of when hiring minors? How do you ensure your young employees are safe physically and that your business is safe legally?

Labor Law Posters

Working in HR comes with many rules and regulations—even about posters. Why are you required by law to put up posters in your workplace, and how can you most easily meet those requirements?

Employment Litigation

In HR, you hear all about protecting the company, being fair and inclusive and documenting everything in case of legal action. But what is legal action? What should you do if you end up facing it?

USERRA

Does your organization employ service members? If so, then the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, commonly known as USERRA, applies to you. Read on to learn about USERRA and how it impacts you.

Qualifying Life Event

Understanding what a qualifying life event is and why they’re important can help your employees tackle life’s uncertainties. Read on to learn more about how to educate about, respond to, and document qualifying life events.

FUTA Tax Credit Reduction

What is the FUTA tax credit reduction, and does it apply to my company? Read on to learn what the credit reduction is, why it affects some businesses, and if your state is on the 2023 tax credit reduction list.

Job Accommodations

What are job accommodations and why are they important? There are many to be familiar with, along with best practices on how to handle requests for them. Read on to find out how to respond if an employee requests a job accommodation.

Reasonable Accommodation

“That darned office chair really messes with my slipped disk,” your employee says while rubbing his back. Did you catch it? This is a request for reasonable accommodation. Learn how to recognize a request and navigate all the in-betweens in this article.

Labor Laws

As an HR professional, one of your responsibilities is to ensure your company is compliant with necessary state and federal laws. It can be overwhelming to stay on top of all the different laws. This article explains what labor laws are and their impact on an organization.

New Hire Reporting

When you hear “new hire reporting,” you may immediately think of the new hire census, how many new hires you've onboarded and what positions were filled. But new hire reporting is more than that; it is a federal requirement. Keep reading to learn more about new hire reporting, what it is, why it's important and when to complete it.

Equal Pay Act

Numerous statistics show that in 2023, women get paid approximately 25% less for the same work that men do. Even though pay disparity based on sex has decreased since the Equal Pay Act was signed in 1963, there is still a need for organizations to adjust their pay structures. Read on to learn what you need to know about the EPA.

Department of Labor

The Department of Labor operates many programs to help the workforce, and HR needs to keep up with changes and regulations. This article dives into what the Department of Labor does and the impact it has on employees, employers, and the economy.

Federal Payroll Laws

Staying compliant with federal payroll laws is a crucial HR responsibility. If you find this intimidating, read on to learn the basics and what to watch out for.

Highly Compensated Employees

Can an employee ever make too much money? The IRS may think so and put some constraints on them. To learn more about these constraints, and what it means to be considered a highly compensated employee, read on.

OFCCP Compliance

Businesses with contracts or subcontracts with the U.S. government may be subject to special compliance requirements. The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is the agency responsible for ensuring compliance. When businesses violate requirements, they could be subject to harsh penalties. Read on to learn about the OFCCP, compliance requirements that may impact your business, and how to protect your company from noncompliance penalties.

National Labor Relations Act of 1935

From an HR perspective, unions and labor practices might seem intimidating. If you are part of a unionized organization, your employees are planning to start a union or initiate collective bargaining, or you feel unsure what is considered an unfair labor practice, this is the article for you.

Lunch and Rest Periods

It’s a typical question all workers have on their first day: “When is lunch and how much time do I get?” Depending on the state you work in, you can find detailed law to answer that question. In most cases, employers will have to design lunch and rest period policies. The following article will assist you in further understanding the importance of such policies.

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Enacted in 2010, the Affordable Care Act continues to be a challenge for many employers. Continue reading to learn more about ACA, its impact on both the employer and employee and what your organization should be doing.

Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is a federal law that governs employee benefit plans. Does ERISA apply to your organization? If you want to know the ins and outs of the act and its key components, read along.

Adverse Impact

Adverse impact is a term that can sound scary because of the ramifications and unknown effects that might come from it. But this term is something every employer needs to be aware of.

E-Verify

Is your organization using the E-Verify program? If not, you should be. Read further to learn what E-Verify is and why it may be beneficial for your organization.

H1-B Visa

We have all heard the term war on talent, meaning that your best candidates are hard to find. Positions are becoming more difficult to fill. Have you considered hiring outside of the US? If so, then an H-1B visa may be right for you. Continue reading to learn more about the H-1B visa program.

FLSA Exempt

Have you wondered why some employees don’t receive overtime pay? That means they are FLSA exempt. There’s more that goes into an exemption than pay, so read this article to learn more!

COBRA

When you hear the term COBRA, you can’t help but think of a big snake. Most employees and employers do not know how this insurance law works until it’s time to elect for coverage after termination. In the stress of employment separation, COBRA can seem confusing, but it is simply the continuation of insurance at the cost of the former employee.

Negligent Hiring

When you're trying to fill an essential role quickly, it may be tempting to skip background checks and screenings. Read on to see why this is never a good idea and how to protect your company from charges of negligent hiring.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

You've probably heard about the Family and Medical Leave Act. This law can be challenging to understand. Does it apply to your company, and if so, how do you stay in compliance with it? What are the consequences if you don't? Here are the basics to know as you begin to learn about this important aspect of HR work. Disclaimer: The below article on FMLA is not, nor should be used as, official training material for the FMLA certification test as offered by the Department of Labor. This is simply information on the basics of FMLA. Consult DOL.gov if you wish to pursue an actual FMLA certification or want the fine details.

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)

Have you heard of GINA? The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act is still fairly new in the world of employment law, but the protections afforded to employees under this law are important for your company to be aware of and understand. Read on to learn how you can protect your company and your employees under GINA.

Age Discrimination

“Over the hill” plastered on black balloons alongside a matching cake in a company break room for a colleague’s 60th birthday. The new software training is optional, but only younger workers are signing up for it. Your recruiter consistently offers you younger workers to interview for a senior-level management position and you notice your company tends to promote younger workers at a rate that far exceeds that of older workers. Should you be concerned? Could these be signs of age discrimination? Read on to learn more.

Asbestos Laws and Regulations

Asbestos has been heavily regulated since its adverse health effects have become known. Understanding its danger and the regulations can save your employees' health and your company from legal penalties.

Monopolies

We've all heard the word monopoly before, especially playing the board game, but monopoly is so much more than a game. It is easy to roll a dice and gain $200 just by passing GO, but in the real world of monopoly there is so much more at play. Monopolies have happened and are continuing to happen today. So what does a monopoly mean anyway?

Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)

Have you ever filled out an I-9 form and wondered why it's required? This article explains what the Immigration Reform and Control Act is, its purpose, how you are obligated to comply with it, and more. That I-9 form is not only a bureaucratic or legal requirement; it protects jobs and prevents discrimination.

Favoritism

It’s wonderful to have great chemistry with people who report to you. How could anything possibly be bad about that? When can the lines between effective relationship building and carrying it a step too far become blurred? See below for tips on how to avoid the favoritism trap.

Ban the Box

Have you ever reviewed a job application, seen that the applicant had a criminal history, and hastily placed that application on the “reject” pile? We all have knee-jerk reactions, but the Ban the Box movement asks us to assess candidates on their qualifications rather than their histories. Removing that bias in the initial steps of candidacy may find you some great employees you would otherwise not consider. Read on to find out about the “Ban the Box” movement and if it applies to your organization.

Blacklisting

Merriam Webster defines a blacklist as a list of persons who are disapproved of or are to be punished or boycotted. Does this sound sinister to you? Know the guardrails around blacklisting in the workplace or you could fall victim to its legal backlash. To learn more, read on.

Wrongful Termination

Firing anyone is difficult. When you add in the potential for wrongful termination, it can be even more complicated and scary. As an HR professional, you are tasked with ensuring that the company isn’t breaking any laws in general, and that includes termination. We will discuss what wrongful termination is and how to make sure you are compliant with all federal and state regulations.

HIPAA

Understanding HIPAA is an essential part of being compliant in the workplace. As an HR professional, you will come across sensitive information, including medical information. Read below to learn more about the industry standards relating to HIPAA so you can continue with confidence that you are doing things right.

HR Audit

Most of us have an unnatural fear of the word “audit.” However, when talking about HR, auditing is helpful. By auditing your processes periodically, you ensure that you are up to date and minimize the chances of a major issue coming up in a Department of Labor audit.

Final Paycheck Laws

Whether an employee is leaving because they quit, were laid off, or were terminated, emotions are probably running high. If they demand immediate payment of their final check, do you know how to comply with state law as well as company policy? Read on to learn what you need to know to stay stress-free and confident in these situations.

Employer Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment Insurance can be confusing and frustrating when you have an employee or former employee file for unemployment and you receive the claim. Understanding unemployment insurance is and the impact it can have on your company can go a long way in easing the frustration and confusion that comes from receiving an unemployment claim.

Nepotism

“He only got the job because he is related to the owner.” Nepotism can destroy the motivation and morale of any team. In this section, we will discuss nepotism, its impact in the workplace, examples of nepotism, how HR can respond to nepotism and nepotism policies you can implement in your workplace.

Employment at Will

“Employment At-Will” means a company can fire whoever they want, when they want, right? Not exactly. In this article, you will learn all about what at-will employment entails and how to untangle its complicated concept.

Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications (BFOQ)

As a new HR professional you will want to be aware of the BFOQ doctrine. BFOQ stands for Bona Fide Occupational Qualification. It allows a company to discriminate on the basis of national origin, sex, religion or age in rare, unique sitautions that are logically necessary for the business. A BFOQ is based on objective facts, reason, and logic, not on stereotypes, prejudice, or bias. The following article will help to define what a BFOQ is, when to use it, and when not to use it.

Illegal Question

The hiring process can be challenging. The process of advertising a job posting and filtering resumes is lengthy. When it comes time to interview, you need to ask the right questions to determine if the candidate is qualified, but you also must be wary of asking the wrong questions. Let's explore the dos and don’ts of interview questions.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the most comprehensive anti-discrimination law for people with disabilities. Because the ADA applies to both employees and qualified applicants, having a solid understanding of what the ADA requires and how to stay in compliance is key for any HR office. In this article, we’ll help you get started.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a powerful agency in the business world. To help your company follow laws and avoid lawsuits, you need to understand the EEOC and how your company can follow EEOC regulations. Read on to understand more about The EEOC in the article below.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

One of the first major laws to help regulate and protect the workforce was the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This law is essential to understanding basic HR regulations your company needs to follow. In the article, you will learn why it is so important and how you can stay compliant.
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