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Question: Is it acceptable for us to be denying vacation requests? Answer: In general, yes. But you should have — and document — a legitimate business reason for doing so. Denying vacation requests will undoubtedly hurt morale, especially if it happens frequently, and low morale leads to higher rates of turnover. Discrimination claims are also
Question: Is there anything special we should know before terminating a remote employee? Answer: Terminations involving remote employees function much the same as those in a physical worksite, but there are 6 things to keep in mind: 1. There’s a Time and a Place Layoffs are happening everywhere and in every industry. Startups have been hit particularly
Question: What can employers do to encourage environmental sustainability and eco-friendly practices in the workplace? Answer: Increasingly, corporate sustainability initiatives are necessary in order to compete for and retain top talent. Employees are seeking out organizations with strong environmental programs making these initiatives an important part of the overall employer brand. Research from Lightspeed found
Question: We’ve been both super busy and understaffed recently. Is there anything we can do during this time to help our employees avoid extra stress or burnout before we can hire more employees? Answer: Yes. Here are a few things you can do to make this time run as smoothly and stress-free as possible: Remove
Question: When does the I-9 need to be completed? Answer: All new employees must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 on or before their first day of employment. Then, within three business days of their start date, they should submit acceptable proof of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. As the
Question: What is a workweek? Is it just our hours of operation? Answer: A workweek is not the same thing as your hours of operation. Rather, it defines the 168-hour period (i.e., seven 24-hour days) in which you track your non-exempt employees’ time to determine whether they’re owed any overtime premium pay. The workweek can
In this edition of Dear David, learn the practices that give you peace of mind and give your remote employees autonomy. Question: What are effective ways to manage remote employees and monitor their work? Answer: Managing remote employees can certainly be a challenge. Here are some of the practices we recommend: Set measurable goals around quality
Question: When should we run background checks of applicants and current employees? Answer: Background Checks on Prospective Employee A best practice is to conduct an applicant background check after a conditional offer of employment has been made. While it may be legal in some states to perform a background check before the employment offer is made,
Question: Can we ask an applicant why they are leaving their current job? Answer: Yes, you can ask applicants why they are leaving their current job. The employment application is a good place to collect this information. In the section where the applicant lists their previous employment experience, you can ask for the reason they
Question: Prohibiting Personal Phone Use During Work Hours — Is This Okay? Answer: Yes, you can limit or prohibit the use of personal devices during work hours. Employees can be expected to give their undivided attention to the work you pay them to perform. If that means phones need to be silenced or put away,
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