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 […]
The Importance of the Right Paid Time Off Strategy
Clients ask me all of the time, “How much paid time off should we offer?” My answer is always “It depends.” In reality, there is not one right answer or formula for how much paid time off a company should offer as so many factors must be considered. The days of the standard two weeks […]
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 […]
Strategic HR Moves to Make This Summer
Summer makes us think of sun, vacation, relaxation, and Human Resources…Wait, what?!?! The summer months are often a slower time operationally, which can allow management to proactively and strategically focus on other critical aspects of running a successful business, such as Human Resources. If summer is your busy season, consider these activities during your business’ […]
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 […]
DOL Exempt Minimum Salary – Now What?
While legal challenges have been requesting an injunction until the question whether the DOL has the right to increase the salary threshold is determined, no such injunction has been issued as of this writing. Therefore, all employers must prepare their response to the new rule which goes into effect July 1, 2024. In April 2024, […]