DOL levies nearly $2M in fines on oil and gas employers

Employers are under scrutiny due to layoffs that have occurred since the dip in oil and gas prices.

By Tom Starner • March 17, 2016

The wellness legal landscape remains muddled, says expert

No matter how well-meaning, employers new to wellness should particularly proceed with caution, says an employment law expert.

By Tom Starner • March 16, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Inside the rapidly changing world of compliance

The HR landscape is ever-shifting, leaving compliance professionals to meet today’s requirements while keeping an eye on the future.

By HR Dive staff

EEOC's retaliation guideline update remains under wraps

Speculation says the agency may make the standards too broad – which is bad news for employers. 

By Tom Starner • March 15, 2016

Wearable gadgets in the workplace require careful consideration

HR leaders need to pay close attention to the legal ramifications of Fitbits, Apple Watches and other trendy gadgets in the workplace. 

By Tom Starner • March 15, 2016

Why some employers are asking about employees' LGBT status

Not every employer thinks it is a good idea, however, especially since many states and countries do not have LGBT protections in place.

By Kathryn Moody • March 15, 2016

Utah passes law that limits non-compete contracts

The law is seen as a compromise that suits employers.

By Tom Starner • March 14, 2016

WeWork lawsuit adds new twist to who should get OT pay

The company recently reached new valuation heights, at about $17B.

By Tom Starner • March 11, 2016

McDonald's joint employer NLRB hearing officially underway

Many companies are watching the case carefully, as some are worried a McDonald's loss could negatively impact franchisers.

By Tom Starner • March 11, 2016

Why an EEOC sexual orientation lawsuit is looming

Legal experts agree: The EEOC is poised to file its first Title VII lawsuit around sexual orientation.

By Tom Starner • March 8, 2016

When sending out new 1095-C forms, keep it simple

Time is running out for employers who need to distribute the new 1095-C forms to their workforces. 

By Tom Starner • March 8, 2016

Another ex-Uber driver receives unemployment benefits in California

He is believed to be among the few Uber workers to gain unemployment benefits, which indicates the state sees him as an employee, not a contractor.

By Tom Starner • March 7, 2016

Yelp back in the news after tweeting at another fired employee

For the second time in two weeks, Yelp has tweeted its defense.

By Tom Starner • March 4, 2016

Why Massachusetts may be changing its non-compete contract laws

If the Massachusetts House Speaker gets his wish, non-compete contracts will have shorter terms in the state.

By Tom Starner • March 4, 2016

Supreme Court's healthcare data decision yields good news for self-funding employers

Some believe the ruling is a positive step for large employers on healthcare data reporting, but not everyone agrees it's a good idea.

By Tom Starner • March 2, 2016

Why employers should keep politics out of a job interview

Legal experts make this one clear: do not ask who an applicant is voting for.

By Tom Starner • March 2, 2016

Oklahoma workers' comp 'opt out' law suffers legal blow

The Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission unanimously agreed that the alternative workplace benefit plans that some employers adopted are unconstitutional.

By Tom Starner • March 2, 2016

Expert offers a solid strategy for plan sponsors to stay compliant

67.2% of employee benefit plans investigated in the past fiscal year resulted in financial penalties or other corrective actions.

By Tom Starner • March 1, 2016

Zenefits to lay off 17% of workforce in order to 'grow in a controlled way'

It's part of new CEO David Sack's continued mission to 'refocus' the controversy-plagued tech company.

By Kathryn Moody • Feb. 26, 2016

Tip pooling is no longer allowed in seven states

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a 2011 DOL rule that says workplace tips are the property of employees who directly receive them from customers.

By Tom Starner • Feb. 26, 2016

How a new workplace app may make employers change their ways

Plans are in motion for a smartphone app that would give lower-paid workers an alternative path to reporting workplace health and safety issues.

By Tom Starner • Feb. 26, 2016

Did the Yelp firing cross the NLRA's 'concerted activity' line?

An employment lawyer says 'maybe.'

By Tom Starner • Feb. 25, 2016

Busted: DOL slams venture capital firm for misclassifying, not paying 'interns'

The Silicon Valley venture firm was caught by the DOL for using 'interns' in professional capacities.

By Tom Starner • Feb. 25, 2016

A warning shot: What startups can learn from the Zenefits debacle

A company can grow so fast it trips over itself. We spoke to the experts on how to avoid the compliance and cultural breakdowns that occur when growth outpaces expectations.

By Kathryn Moody • Feb. 25, 2016

Smoking surcharges on benefits require careful planning, execution

Charging an added healthcare premium fee on smokers can work, but employers who do it should tread carefully, according to experts. 

By Tom Starner • Feb. 23, 2016

Election 2016: The do's and don'ts of politics in the workplace

In this particularly contentious election year, keep afloat of the laws surrounding political involvement in the workplace.

By Kathryn Moody • Feb. 23, 2016