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Q&A

Must we pay our employee while she serves on a jury?

04/01/2008
Q. We have an employee who is serving on a jury. It’s a long case. Do we have to keep paying her for her time off? — P.J., Minneapolis …

How long can we wind up handling wage assignments?

04/01/2008
Q. We have received a wage assignment for one of our employees. How long do we have to keep sending money in? …

What if an employee has more than one wage assignment going on simultaneously?

04/01/2008
Q. We have an employee for whom we have received two wage assignments. Which creditor do we pay? Both proportionally, or just the first one? Or do we alternate? …

Can we refuse to cooperate with a lender on a wage assignment?

04/01/2008
Q. Handling wage assignments seems like a lot of trouble. What if we skip the whole thing? Can we get in trouble? …

Are we allowed to punish employees whose wages are assigned?

04/01/2008
Q. I’m suspicious of employees who can’t handle their own financial affairs. Frankly, I’d rather not have irresponsible people working here. Can I fire an employee whose wages are assigned? …

Do nonunion employees have right to representation during disciplinary meetings?

04/01/2008
Q. I am working with my supervisory staff on how to deal with a difficult employee. He insists he has the right to be represented when his supervisor wants to discuss a performance problem. He recently asked to have another employee come with him for a meeting with his supervisor regarding his poor attendance. We are a nonunion company. Any suggestions? …

Cutting health insurance costs by declining to cover contraception

04/01/2008
Q. Our company is trying to reduce our medical insurance costs. I have been asked whether we could eliminate coverage for contraceptives. If we provide health care that includes a prescription drug benefit, are we required to provide coverage for contraceptives? …

Filing a Michigan discrimination claim?

04/01/2008
Q. My understanding is that an employee must file a charge of sex discrimination with the EEOC or the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) within 180 days. I have been told by the EEOC that it will investigate charges filed within 300 days of the alleged discriminatory act. Which is correct? …

How many no-Show days equal ‘Job abandonment’?

04/01/2008
Q. How many days does an employee have to report his absence (no show, no call) before we can terminate him for job abandonment? — W.L., Wisconsin …

Maternity leave: What can you legally ask?

04/01/2008
Q. What questions can we ask a pregnant employee about her impending maternity leave and if/when she’ll be returning to work? — M.M., Ohio …