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Compensation & Benefits

Hiring interns: The 4 steps to keeping it legal

03/01/2007

Courts view interns the same as employees: as “agents” of your organization. So should you. If you use interns or plan to, advise supervisors to manage them as closely as employees, if not more so. And apply your workplace policies to them …

New salary analysis compares 20 top jobs in 75 cities

03/01/2007

Looking for a simple breakdown of salary ranges for common jobs in different metropolitan areas? You’ll find it at www.bizjournals.com (click on the “Online Edition” tab and then “Special Reports”) …

Working alongside staff won’t erase manager’s exemption

03/01/2007

Employers today are facing a barrage of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) lawsuits alleging that they’re misclassifying nonexempt employees as exempt. One main target: store managers who often work 60 to 70 hours per week for a set salary …

Settle OT disputes quickly to avoid paying ‘Triple time’

03/01/2007

When employees complain that they should be earning overtime, it’s smart to settle up quickly if it’s clear that they’re right. Reason: When you fail to properly pay overtime, the Fair Labor Standards Act allows employees to collect twice what they should have earned …

You can’t avoid overtime by paying employees daily

03/01/2007

Even if you pay employees—such as day laborers—on a daily basis, you can’t use that tactic to avoid paying overtime for hours worked beyond 40 in a week …

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 …