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Florida

Burden is on employers to avoid double damages under FLSA

08/11/2009

The FLSA requires employers to pay the minimum wage and the correct amount of any overtime. Violate the law and you’ll have to pay double what you owe—unless you can show you acted in good faith and with the reasonable belief that you were following the law. That’s a tough sell unless you can show you followed legal advice.

Respond to unemployment comp notices right away

08/11/2009

An employer that doesn’t file an appeal within 20 days after it receives notification that a former employee has been awarded unemployment compensation benefits loses the right to appeal. Advice: If there’s the slightest chance you’ll contest unemployment benefits, respond to the notice immediately.

Miami makes list of sprawling job markets

08/11/2009

Miami placed seventh-worst in a Brookings Institution study that ranks cities by how spread out their employment centers are. About 62% of Miami jobs are located more than 10 miles from the city center …

Is it time to overhaul your vacation policies?

08/07/2009

Take a look around your workplace. How many of your co-workers spent all summer right there at their stations? Maybe they took a long weekend or two, but otherwise they showed up day in and day out. It might be time to make those drudges get out and go on vacation.

Dust off your benefits policies: More mandates may be on the way

08/06/2009

The federal government has slowly been introducing laws that force employers across the country to provide employee benefits: for example, the FMLA, USERRA and the ADA. Now Congress is considering several legislative initiatives that would require employers to provide additional benefits.

How to legally manage pregnancy and maternity leaves

07/28/2009

When an employee announces she’s pregnant, it’s important for HR and supervisors to know what they must do—and what they can’t do (or say) under federal anti-discrimination and leave laws. Most employers must comply with the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the FMLA. The ADA may apply if pregnancy complications arise.

Job tasks changing? Don’t forget the FLSA

07/13/2009

Employees whose job tasks have changed may now be wrongly classified as exempt from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act. That’s a lawsuit waiting to happen, one that could quickly eat up any temporary savings you’re trying to achieve—especially if it turns into a class-action suit.

Penalize the worst of the worst more harshly

07/13/2009

There’s good news if you use objective and measurable productivity and goal targets to determine whether employees will receive promotions and pay increases. You can distinguish between degrees of failure to meet those goals.

In Brookville, if you’re going commando, you’re going home

07/13/2009

The Brookville, Fla., City Council has approved a new dress code for municipal employees, requiring them to observe “strict personal hygiene,” including the use of deodorant. An “observable lack of undergarments” is explicitly forbidden.

Institute strict ‘no race talk’ policy to help minimize harassment claims

07/13/2009

For years, employers have grappled with what constitutes a hostile work environment and what does not. There’s a way to end pointless arguments about whether speech or conduct is racially offensive—and prevent potential problems down the line. Implement a policy that clearly bans race banter.