Prohibited Interview Questions: Why Interviews Carry More Risk Than You Think
The interview may seem like an informal chat, a way to get to know each candidate beyond their résumé. And to some extent, it is. But it is also one of the most high-risk, compliance-sensitive phases of the hiring process. A single poorly worded question can create significant legal exposure for the organization. Often, these […]
ICE Reclassifies Some Form I-9 Errors to “Substantive”
Every employer must have a valid Form I-9 complete for every employee hired after November 6, 1986. While the requirements and procedures for completing a Form I-9 have not changed in over 30 years, the detailed and specific nature of those procedures make its proper completion very difficult for most companies. Immigration and Customs Enforcement […]
Preparing Your Workplace for AI: A Practical Employer’s Guide
First, a quick disclaimer: I am an HR professional, not an IT expert. When it comes to the technical aspects of your computer infrastructure, including integrating AI, please consult with people knowledgeable with that technology and who you trust to help you determine what is right for you. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere whether you […]
2026 Employer Outlook: Key Federal and State Changes
I think everyone can agree that 2025 was a tumultuous year. While there was not the expected legislative activity from the Congress, President Trump and his administration enacted a lot of major changes which impacted employers and employees. Meanwhile, several states took advantage of their unified legislatures and/or the trends from the Trump administration to […]
State Paid Leave and Time Off Laws with Upcoming Changes
Paid time off is a common benefit offered by many companies to their employees as part of their total compensation package. While federal law does not require any such paid time off, many states have regulations that require employers to offer employees paid time off and/or paid leaves of absence in some form. We know […]
Scary HR Stories: Real Workplace Nightmares
Along with leaves starting to fall and the aroma of pumpkin spice filling the air, signs of Halloween are everywhere. While others see spooky or fun symbols of the holiday, they made us reflect on some of the scariest HR stories we have heard recently. Ghosts: “We had an employee just disappear on us. He […]
Workplace Update: How to Make Legal Employment Decisions in 2025
I speak with clients every day who want to terminate an employee for poor performance, unacceptable attendance, or personality clashes. They are concerned, rightfully so, about the impacts on their business by either keeping an employee who is not meeting expectations or by letting them go in this litigious time. It can seem like a […]
Pay Transparency: A New Standard
The Pay Transparency trend is no longer a trend; it’s a reality. Across the United States, many state-level laws and local ordinances are being enacted to increase transparency in salary negotiations and in the overall hiring process. Just this year, five states have added new text and regulations relating to pay transparency requirements. On a […]
State of Immigration in the Workplace
President Trump’s administration has made or proposed significant changes that will impact how companies do business and manage their workforce. Among the most drastic actions we have seen is immigration, which is unsurprising given its focus of attention during the campaign and from his supporters. President Trump has stated he intends to deport up to […]
Federal Judge Strikes Down DOL’s Overtime Rule
The federal minimum salary threshold for the Executive, Administrative, and Professional (EAP) exemption is once again $684 per week (annualized to $35,558) and $107,432 per year for Highly-Compensated employees after a federal court in Texas reversed the DOL’s increase announced earlier this year. While previous injunctions applied to specific plaintiffs, this ruling applies to all […]