You’re Invited! Navigate the Work Holiday Party!
It’s been announced that there’s a holiday gathering! Fantastic! Finally time to let loose, party it up and have some fun with coworkers – or is it? I suppose the answer can depend on the person, but as rule, remember that work-sponsored parties, even if they do offer free booze, is still a WORK party! Don’t let one party be the game-changer for how people see you professionally after that “one crazy night!” Here are a few tips to survive the party without ruining your professional reputation: 1. Keep the cocktail count down! The company may be picking up the [...]
Boosting Morale During This Holiday Season
Hopefully employee engagement and morale is a year-round focus and effort for your company, but the holiday season certainly brings out an elevated level of giving thanks and celebrating those around us. For some of your employees, however, the holidays may be extra stressful. Trying to balance the demands of hosting family or traveling to see family, purchasing gifts, attending religious services, volunteering at food banks, and countless other holiday-related obligations alongside work deadlines and expectations, this season may leave people feeling overloaded. Depending on budget, some companies can offer more perks than others, but even the little things can [...]
Workplace Religious Expression During the Holidays
As we enter the holiday season, the question of religious expression becomes a more prominent issue as religion and holidays often go hand in hand. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from taking employment action against individuals based on his or her religion (among other protected characteristics). Employers are also required to provide reasonable accommodations, such as honoring a time off request for a religious holiday. As we near the end of the year, that means a myriad of religious holidays are on the way: Christmas, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Hanukkah, Three King’s Day, and Winter Solstice [...]
Sue Me Under The Mistletoe: Holiday Parties
As the holiday season has quickly come upon us, many companies opt to throw a party! We’ve all heard some Holiday party horror stories – and if you haven’t, check out Inc.com’s list of holiday party faux-pas! But all jokes and horror stories aside, holiday parties can be a real source of liability for employers! Have no fear! Peoplescape is here to help guide your party planning committee on how to limit liability. Naming the event Every good event should have a name! In the case of holiday parties, remember the name needs to be inclusive of all cultures, religions, etc. Do not call [...]
Clicking “Like” may now be considered protected activity
We’ve all heard horror stories about an employee posting something about work on Facebook or Twitter and later being fired for it. Well, a case in Connecticut may have just given employers a bit more guidance on what is protected activity under Section 7 rights under the National Labor Relations Act with regard to Social Media. In other words, can you fire an employee for what they write or what they “Like” on social sites? Quick overview of the case: Triple Play is a sports bar and grill operating in Connecticut and when preparing their tax returns in January 2011, [...]
Legal Update: California Fair Pay Act
Surprise! Surprise! California Law makers have passed another piece of legislation that will affect employers in January 2016, leaving us (the employers) little time to react! Previous to this bill, California law prohibited employers from paying employees of opposite sex that worked in the same establishment less for equal work on jobs requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility. The new California Fair Pay Act (Senate Bill 358) was signed by the Governor on October 6, 2015. This law prohibits employers from paying employees of opposite sex less for substantially similar work, when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and [...]
How Not to Present During Open Enrollment
Presentations may not be your favorite thing, but as an HR professional or a business executive, you’ll have to put on your fair share of presentations in the workplace. As the close of 2015 comes closer, we wanted to give you a few tips on how NOT to present during open enrollment for benefits this coming year. However, these tips can be applied for any business presentation – all of which we happen to be experts at doing! Contact us today to schedule your new hire orientation, sexual harassment training, yearly company training, open enrollment planning, managerial training and much [...]
Let’s Give Thanks
“Piglet noticed that even though he had a very small heart, he could hold a rather large amount of gratitude.” – Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving is a time for all of us to sit back and evaluate what we are grateful for. In America, this holiday has a competing message because of the history behind it. But let’s put that aside for a moment and concentrate on what truly matters. Let's Give Thanks! What are you thankful for in your life? Of course, family and friends should top the list! But what about your job? Are you thankful for your [...]
5 Reasons Employees Leave Too Soon
As a manager, when you see that resignation letter cross your desk, what thoughts go through your head? Is it a gift you’ve been waiting for, finally seeing that problematic employee headed out the door? Or is it your worst nightmare signed, sealed and delivered on your desk at 8:00am on a Friday morning? Here are a few reasons why employees leave a job too soon (and ways that you as the employer can prevent it from happening at your organization!) 1. Changed his or her mind on job type (new hire wasn’t clear about the job duties to begin [...]
The Folly of Employee Misclassification: Law Suits on the Rise!
The list of lawsuits against Uber is long, and appears to be growing. From rider safety and information security to employee misclassification, the legal team over at Uber has its hands full! Back in September, California drivers for Uber were granted class-action status over the company’s failure to pay for necessary benefits in an employment relationship. Currently, all Uber drivers are classified as independent contractors, which means that these self-employed drivers are responsible for paying for gas, insurance, and car maintenance – expenses which would typically be covered by the company in an employment relationship. The issue with Uber’s classification [...]