Symmetry provides outstanding human resource advice, support, and advocacy to start-up and small companies who do not have an in-house human resource team.
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Tackling Exempt Workers’ Tardiness and Poor Attendance
Posted by Karolynn on July 8, 2016 Under Human Resources | Tags: Employees, Firing, HR, Legal, Time Off
Employees straggling in late or not coming in at all is often at the top of the list of employer frustrations. The problem can lead employers to devise creative solutions, such as requiring management employees to clock in and even docking their pay when they’re late. But a solution that’s legal is more important than one that’s creative.
Don’t Just Document, Document Correctly
Posted by Karolynn on June 24, 2016 Under Human Resources | Tags: Employees, HR, Legal, Performance Evaluations
If you’ve ever spoken to someone on our team you will have heard: Document, document, document. But just writing things down isn’t enough. We all need to recognize and avoid common documentation mistakes. Although the purpose of documentation is to minimize risks, it can come back to haunt if it’s done wrong. And if it’s not done at all, the employer is almost certain to be seen as the “big, bad employer” and a litigating employee is likely to be seen as the “poor, innocent employee.
Unlimited Vacation Policies - Good Idea or License to Slack?
Posted by Karolynn on June 17, 2016 Under Human Resources | Tags: Employees, HR, Legal, Records, Time Off, Timecards
Employers have long used paid vacation policies as a compensation benefit and a means of enhancing employee productivity. To keep pace in a competitive hiring market, many start-ups offer employees the right to take “unlimited” paid vacation. While “unlimited vacation” policies do offer certain benefits, the law on such policies is currently undeveloped, and employers must pay careful attention to implementation and administration to minimize legal risks.
Willful Blindness: A leadership and Cultural Downfall
Posted by Karolynn on June 10, 2016 Under Human Resources | Tags: Employees, HR, Interviews, Legal
Willful blindness is a legal term that means there is information you could and should know but have elected not to know. Deliberate indifference and contrived ignorance also are used to describe the phenomenon. Unfortunately, there is a great deal of willful blindness in the world today. Willful blindness causes the downfall of an organization’s leadership and culture.
Why Consider the Reasons Employee’s Quit is Important.
Posted by Karolynn on June 3, 2016 Under Human Resources | Tags: Employees, Exit Interviews, Hire, HR
It may be a cliché to say employees are an employer’s greatest asset. But if that weren’t true, it wouldn’t be a cliché and employers wouldn’t focus so much attention on retaining their best and brightest. The reasons behind an employee’s decision to leave a job depend on each individual’s situation, but new research identifies minimal wage growth and a lack of flexibility as chief culprits.
DOL Announces Changes to Employee Exemption Status
Posted by Kim on May 18, 2016 Under | Tags: Employees, Telecommuting
Seeing Work-Life Balance Through Different Lenses
Posted by Karolynn on March 5, 2016 Under | Tags: Employees, Telecommuting
Think your employees are satisfied with their work-life balance? They may be, but a recent survey signals they may not be as satisfied as you think. WorkplaceTrends.com, a human resources research portal, and CareerArc, a recruitment and outplacement firm, released their Workplace Flexibility Study in February. The survey of 1,087 professionals—both employed and those seeking employment—and 116 HR professionals found that 67 percent of the HR professionals think that their employees enjoy balanced lives. But the survey also found that significant numbers of the professionals—45 percent overall and 35 percent of the job seekers—feel their work doesn’t leave them enough time each week for personal activities.
To Dock or Not to Dock? That is the Question
Posted by Karolynn on February 26, 2016 Under Human Resources | Tags: Employees, HR, Legal
One of the most common questions we hear from employers involves when they can or can’t dock employees’ paychecks. It’s very tempting to use an employee’s paycheck as a way to recoup losses you’ve incurred because of her actions, especially when, as a practical matter, there will never be any other way to collect the debt from her. However, you should exercise caution when docking an employee’s paycheck because federal and state laws limit the deductions that can legally be made.
Legal Issues Associated with Dating in the Workplace
Posted by Karolynn on February 12, 2016 Under Human Resources | Tags: Employees, Handbook, HR, Legal
According to a 2012 Stanford University sociology study, 10 percent of people meet their spouses at work. Coworker dating is common. Unfortunately, not all relationships end well, and when they don’t, employers can face harassment and retaliation claims. Although most businesses have no rules about office relationships, now may be the time—while the office is awash in hearts and the fragrance of flowers—to decide what’s best for your workplace.
Regulatory Audits - What To Do (and Not To Do) When Your Business Gets An Audit Letter
Posted by Karolynn on February 5, 2016 Under Human Resources | Tags: Employees, HR, Legal
As an employer you know that your employment practices and policies need to comply with federal and state laws. What you may not realize is that the various state and federal agencies that enforce these laws could at any time conduct an audit to scrutinize those employment practices and policies. Regulatory audits can pose serious risks to your business, take up your time and money, and result in stiff penalties, effectively turning your business on its head.