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HR Policies Strategic Planning

Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreements: Which is Better, and How to Make Yours Hold Up in Court

Companies often require new employees to sign non-compete and non-solicitation agreements.  What is the difference between them, how enforceable are they, and is one better than the other? Non-Compete Agreements A non-compete agreement prohibits an employee from leaving to go to a competitor, or to start a competing business, for a stated period of time…Continue readingNon-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreements: Which is Better, and How to Make Yours Hold Up in Court

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HR Policies Paid and Unpaid Leave

Breaking Down Your Vacation Policy

All employees look forward to a little vacation. Some look forward to a lot of vacation.  Meanwhile, you have to keep the business running.  As the employer, how do you handle this? Vacation policies can be grouped into three categories: Case-By-Case Some businesses do not have a formal policy.  All requests are on a case-by-case…Continue readingBreaking Down Your Vacation Policy

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HR Policies

Managing Employee Risk

Managing employees also means managing risk.  Unhappy employees may start legal actions; so may former employees.  Issues can include discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, or complaints for back pay or overtime.  Many business owners and managers do not have basic policies and procedures in place to protect their business in such cases.  Implementing some simple personnel policies will greatly…Continue readingManaging Employee Risk

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HR Policies

Tips on Breaks and Meal Periods

Give me a break!   Employee breaks and meal period requirements are confusing to employers and employees alike.  I will attempt to make it clearer, or at least less confusing. The Fair Labor Standards Act, the federal law better known for regulating minimum wage and overtime, divides breaks into two categories, rest breaks and meal periods. Rest breaks The FLSA…Continue readingTips on Breaks and Meal Periods

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HR Policies

How to Handle Late or Absent Employees

Since the invention of the time clock, employers have obsessed over their employees’ time and attendance.  Why are employees late to work or absent? Personal duties outside of work, primarily childcare. Transportation issues such as heavy traffic or mass transportation delays. Physical issues, such as illness or injury. Rules resisters. Written policies are meant for others. Internal clock issues, often…Continue readingHow to Handle Late or Absent Employees

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HR Policies

Facial Tattoos, Mini-Skirts and Your Company Dress Code

The two managers saw Sam walk past them and did a double double-take.  “Look at that new tattoo on the side of his face.  Can he do that here?” Can he? Even something as extreme as a facial tattoo may be allowable in the work place.  There is no federal law regarding employee dress code.  Employers may set any…Continue readingFacial Tattoos, Mini-Skirts and Your Company Dress Code

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HR Policies

Do You Need an Employee Handbook?

An employee handbook is one of the most important documents your business needs.   1.  The employee handbook establishes your company’s policies clearly and effectively.  “What is the dress code?  “What is the paid time off policy?”  “What are the performance standards?”  “My manager is harassing me.  Who do I complain to, or should I…Continue readingDo You Need an Employee Handbook?

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HR Policies

12 Must Have Policies for Your Employee Handbook

A typical employee handbook can have 90 or more policies.  But what are the 12 policies that you MUST have? Start with a statement of what your company is all about Policy #1:  This may seem surprising, as many assume that a handbook is focused on legal clauses. But the most important thing to communicate…Continue reading12 Must Have Policies for Your Employee Handbook

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HR Policies

13 Action Steps to Promote Diversity

Many companies are reviewing and revamping their efforts to promote a more diverse and inclusive work environment.  Here are some action steps you can take now: 1 – Understand the issues. 2 – Communicate to the entire organization how you are going to address it – focusing on your company’s culture and values and how important…Continue reading13 Action Steps to Promote Diversity

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COVID-19 HR Policies

COVID-19 Return to Work Issues and How to Handle Them

With “return to work” happening for many, issues will arise, and we should be prepared to address them when bringing employees back to the office. Many employees are concerned for their health and safety.  Therefore, it would be a good practice to start gradually, by introducing small number of employees to the office.  Consider staggered…Continue readingCOVID-19 Return to Work Issues and How to Handle Them