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Compensation & Benefits

You must pay for all work, even if it’s not authorized

04/01/2000

Q. In the October 1999 issue, you explained that nonexempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a week are entitled to overtime for all hours over 40, regardless of whether the overtime was authorized. Do we owe overtime if a nonexempt employee works more than his or her scheduled hours even if the total number of hours worked does not exceed 40? —J.P., Illinois

Don’t Ban Breast-Feeding if You Allow Baby at Work

04/01/2000

Q. Can we legally prohibit female workers from breast-feeding at work? —R.B., California

A costly mistake: Demoting employee after workers’ comp claim

03/01/2000
Deloris Beckwith worked for Dillard Department Stores for 25 years as an area sales manager. Most of her reviews rated her work as “very good” or “outstanding.” But then she injured …

Pressure is building for domestic-partner benefits

03/01/2000
There is increasing pressure in some state legislatures and courts to extend benefits to employees’ domestic partners. Be sure to check your state to determine …

Review pay equality; Clinton proposal will raise awareness

03/01/2000
While Congress isn’t likely to give President Clinton the extra $27 million he wants to strengthen equal-pay enforcement, that doesn’t mean you should forget …

Pay for ‘Floating Holiday’ Depends on Your Policy

03/01/2000

Q. We gave eligible employees a “floating holiday” in lieu of having Dec. 31, 1999, as a paid holiday. We generally pay employees for all unused vacation, sick and personal time upon termination, but we have no policy regarding an unused floating holiday. Do we have to pay workers for any unused floating holidays upon termination? Does it make any difference if the employee requested the day off but the supervisor denied the request? —C.R., Illinois

Violating wage law can entitle former workers to benefits

03/01/2000
Michael Martini voluntarily quit his job as a driver, but he still may be able to collect unemployment benefits. Why? The company violated the law, in this case, not guaranteeing …

Don’t let COBRA bite you

03/01/2000
Nothing about COBRA is simple. Even the name of the law is not straightforward. It comes from the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act under …

Snow days might not freeze out exempt workers

03/01/2000

Q. Due to recent snowstorms, some employees have not been able to get to work. Can we dock the pay and/or accrued leave of employees who do not come to work? Can we do so even if the office is closed? Our attorney told us that the Fair Labor Standards Act does not apply to us because, among other things, our gross sales are under $500,000. —A.I., Maryland

You can recoup loss for payroll error

03/01/2000

Q. We direct-deposit the wages and salaries of most of our employees. Last week, two checks for the same pay period were deposited into an employee’s account. Can we legally have the bank withdraw the extra funds from the employee’s account? —M.F., California