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Compensation & Benefits

Can you block workers e-Chats about pay, union?

03/01/2007

Even if you have a fairly restrictive e-mail and Internet policy, you probably allow employees a certain amount of latitude in sending personal e-mail. If so, be aware that you should also allow employees to use that system to discuss your organization’s pay, benefits and working conditions, plus any union-organizing efforts …

Pooling tips? Only certain employees can join in

03/01/2007

If your employees receive tips, be aware that only certain types of employees can participate in tip-pooling programs …

Liability for injuries suffered on break

03/01/2007

Q. We let employees take short breaks to smoke outside or even have a chiropractic adjustment at the clinic next door. Employees are on the clock. Could we be responsible for their health problems related to smoking or injury from spinal adjustments? Should we just require paid breaks be taken indoors? —H.R., Missouri

Put a stop to unauthorized overtime: 4 strategies

03/01/2007

As overtime lawsuits continue to surge, organizations often try to defend themselves by pointing to their policy that says employees should have received management approval for overtime. But a written policy isn’t enough, as employers are learning the hard way …

Asking feds’ opinion won’t always erase FLSA penalty

03/01/2007

Have you ever filed a request for an “opinion letter” with the U.S. Labor Department? It’s a handy tool that can help you dodge the penalty bullet if you’re later hit with an FLSA violation …

Be aware of different OT rules for first responders

03/01/2007

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires you to pay overtime to hourly employees who work more than 40 hours in a workweek. But the rules are different for firefighters: They’re paid OT only after they work a specified number of hours in an entire month …

Found liable for discrimination? You’ll owe back pay, even if fired worker starts a new business

03/01/2007

When employees lose their jobs because of alleged discrimination, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) can award them lost wages based on the difference between their past earnings and what they currently make as self-employed individuals, …

Study: Female directors not paid equally at western Pa. nonprofits

03/01/2007

Men who lead nonprofits in western Pennsylvania earn about $42,000 more on average than women who do so, according to a recent study by the Robert Morris University’s Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management …

Failing to pay overtime? You could face a double whammy under federal and state law

03/01/2007

New York employers should be aware of a potential double hit if they fail to pay employees the correct amount of overtime pay: The Fair Labor Standards Act entitles employees to double the amount of overtime pay they’re due, and the New York State Labor Law tacks on an additional 25 percent bonus …

Help employees keep their work/Life resolutions

03/01/2007

The top three New Year’s resolutions for people: 1. Strike a better balance between work and home life. 2. Exercise more. 3. Avoid bad relationships. Your organization can’t help workers avoid disastrous dates, but it can help with the first two items …