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Ask the Attorney Archives

Are employees responsible for packages sent to the workplace?

11/15/2010
Q: Is an employee personally responsible for a package that arrived into the office that requires a signature? – Julie, Ohio

Exempt or nonexempt: How to respond if we misclassified?

11/08/2010
Q. “I am the HR director for an employer with 300 employees. I have participated in training recently regarding the DOL’s definitions on overtime exemptions. As a result of my concern, I conducted an audit of our current classifications (and believe some of our employees may be misclassified as exempt). How can I check my understanding? If we reclassify a number of employees as non-exempt, what would you recommend as far as restitution for the unpaid wages?” — Angie, Virginia

Can we hire someone who’s on FMLA leave at another company?

11/01/2010
Q. “What are the laws if we hire someone who is on unpaid FMLA from a previous employer. Can we legally hire that person? Can that person legally work for someone?” — Diana, Connecticut

Termination right after two-week notice: A ‘voluntary’ separation?

11/01/2010
Q. “When an employee gives two weeks notice of resignation and the employer chooses to accelerate the departure to an immediate separation, is the resignation still considered a voluntary separation or does it then become an involuntary termination?”  Mindie, California

Employee isn’t returning after disability leave: What can we do?

10/21/2010
Q: “We have an employee out on Short Term Disability since July 21. His doctor’s note said to come back to work on Sept. 13, according to the disability insurance company. The employee is still out and he says his doctor still wants him out. But we have no proof of this and neither does the insurance company. We know the doctor doesn’t want him to come back with his disability (pacemaker @ age 42). His job requires a lot of above-the-head work and lifting, as well as snow shoveling in the winter (he’s a painter and maintenance man). What are our options? Terminate? Will he be able to receive unemployment? If so, is unemployment based on the disability pay or his normal pay?” — Michelle, New York

When does a cold or flu qualify for FMLA leave?

10/18/2010
Q. “If an employee is absent because of a cold or the flu, does this qualify for FMLA leave?”

Can we ask applicants whether they think they’d pass a security clearance?

10/11/2010
Q. “We are a private company that hires people to work on government contracts. Some of those contracts require the employee to obtain a security clearance from the government. Are we allowed to ask prospective employees prior to employment if there is anything in their history that might prevent them from obtaining a security clearance? The questions would include criminal convictions, but also bankruptcy, travel to foreign countries, etc.: — Anonymous

Can a team leader legally fill out time sheets for his employees?

10/04/2010
Q. “Must each individual employee complete a timesheet or time record? Or can a team leader or foreperson complete one timesheet or time record for the whole group?” — Kimberly, Pennsylvania

What’s the difference between a ‘supervisor’ and ‘manager’?

09/27/2010
Q. “What is the difference between a supervisor and a manager? For example, is it affected by the number of employees within the reporting structure or education requirements (or is this even a factor)?” — Janice, Tennessee

Salaried nonexempt workers: Can we deduct pay if they work less than 40 hours a week?

09/27/2010
Q. “Is it legal to deduct pay from salaried non-exempt employees when they work less than 40 hours in a week?” — Lisa, South Carolina