A personnel file is a paper or electronic folder for storing HR and payroll documents related to new, existing, or past employees. It should include basic employee and compensation information in compliance with federal and state labor laws. Understanding what employment records to store in a secure personnel file helps you avoid potential mistakes and…
What Is a Non-Compete Agreement? + Free Template
A Non-compete Agreement (NCA) is used to safeguard a business’s competitive interests. This agreement, or contract, is used by a business when it has a unique or well-performing product, service, or sales platform with clientele that could be depreciated with departing employees. Non-compete Agreements are used to keep current employees or other associates, like clients…
Employee Drug Testing: Compliance, Providers & Cost
Setting up employee drug screening requires awareness of compliance-related rules to conduct fairly and legally. Finding certified drug screening providers (required in some states), creating a drug testing policy and budgeting for drug screening costs are essential to building a strong screening program. While more than half of all businesses drug screen employees, only about…
State & Local Mandatory Paid Sick Time Laws For 2020
There are several state, city, and county paid leave ordinances that require employers to offer paid benefits for employees who are sick. Within several states, there are potential changes toward paid sick leave that employers should monitor regularly as state and local policies can change from time to time. We provide a summary of laws…
Oregon Sick Leave Law: The Ultimate Guide
Several years ago, Oregon’s sick leave law, prompted by Senate Bill 454, mandates five days of paid sick leave for full-time employees in businesses that employ 10 or more workers. More recent guidelines relating to COVID-19 have added to these requirements. This guide also addresses Portland’s local leave laws, which require that employers with six…
California Paid Sick Leave Law
Without a doubt, COVID-19 has impacted every state and how most employers respond to and support employees’ needs in relation to virus-induced illness. The State of California’s Department of Industrial Relations keeps its website updated on all the latest changes to laws that impact employers and employees alike relating to COVID-19. The state resource offers…
Exempt vs Non-exempt: Legal Definition, Employer Rules & Exceptions
Exempt vs non-exempt are worker classifications that determine whether you must pay an employee overtime pay. An employer should determine this―based on the job duties―before posting a job and hiring. Misclassification is costly, so we’ll help you understand the three tests to discern the difference between exempt vs non-exempt employees. Federal law requires that you…
8 Types of Workplace Harassment
Workplace harassment denotes unwanted interpersonal conduct in the workplace. It takes many forms, from bullying to unwanted sexual advances. Workplace harassment violates the intent of antidiscrimination laws meant to protect workers regardless of age, gender, disability, and more. Identifying and avoiding harassment on the job is crucial to creating a healthy and productive work environment….
California Vacation Law: How PTO Works in the Golden State
California vacation laws don’t require employers to provide paid vacation time; no U.S. state does. However, sick leave, as paid time off (PTO), is required per California PTO laws. If you choose to offer paid vacations, you must document and communicate your policy, track time earned and taken, and pay unused benefits upon termination. Outsourcing…
Earnings Withholding Orders for Employers
An earnings withholding order is a court-issued document requiring employers to withhold and remit money from an employee’s paycheck to pay a creditor for an unpaid debt. Some examples of this debt are past due student loans and delinquent tax bills. To avoid liability, employers should immediately and only withhold what’s required in the order….
Hawaii Labor Laws: What Small Businesses Need to Know
Businesses operating in Hawaii must comply with federal labor laws in addition to myriad Hawaii state labor laws. These laws affect employers differently based on business size. Hawaii’s labor laws support Hawaiian workers with fair pay and other workforce benefits like unemployment, health insurance, disability benefits, and a safe and healthy workplace. Outsourcing payroll and…
What Is ADA Compliance & Who It Applies To
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prevents workplace discrimination and helps enable proper access to business facilities for disabled patrons. Workplace ADA compliance falls primarily under Title I of the ADA, workplace, and employment―ensuring your hiring, employment, and disciplinary practices are fair. ADA enforcement begins once your business reaches 15 employees or more. How ADA…