Now that we’ve passed Labor Day, it feels like fall is officially arriving (even if it’s still in the 80’s here in Georgia), and that means that Election Day will be here soon. Some states require that companies provide time off to vote, but the rules vary on the specifics and whether it must be …
What to Do If an Employee Refuses to Wear a Mask
As more and more businesses open their doors and employees return to the office, one of the most common questions is – will masks be required? In general, we’re getting used to the answer being “yes.” We’ve become more educated on the importance of them. Some states require masks, some businesses require them of employees …
How Can Employers Address a Racist Social Media Post?
Social media can be uncertain territory for employers. Posting and interacting on social media is a popular way to stay connected with friends and let everyone know what you did over the weekend. It’s also a popular way to share opinions – especially strong opinions. If you want to know who has strong opinions about …
The Cost of Not Taking a Sexual Harassment Complaint Seriously
A DoubleTree Hotel in Jefferson City, Missouri, has realized that their cost of not taking a sexual harassment complaint seriously is $45,000 plus a list of actions they must take. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against Vinca Enterprises, Inc., the company that operates this particular location, alleging that a female …
How Employers Can Help Working Parents with Back to School During COVID-19
With back to school quickly approaching, many working parents are beyond stressed about the fall. Due to COVID-19, some schools are beginning the year virtually while others are offering a hybrid of virtual and in-person options, all of which is leaving parents scrambling to piece together a plan for child care and education. Ayesha Badhwar …
Managing Employees Who Don’t Follow Directions
My employee isn’t following directions! I’ve told her what needs to be done a million times, but no matter what I say or how I say it, she just doesn’t do it! Sound familiar? There’s no telling how many calls like this I’ve received from managers. Managing employees can be very rewarding, but it also …
The Positives and Negatives of Productivity Metrics
Productivity metrics can be a very helpful performance management tool, but if not carefully designed and implemented, they can lead to negative outcomes. Multiple LAPD officers are being investigated for allegedly falsely labeling individuals as gang members in order to boost their productivity statistics. According to some, officers were pressured to show more gang contacts …
10 Tips for Effective Performance Evaluations During COVID
Given how different work has been over the last few months during COVID-19, you may be wondering whether to cancel your regularly-scheduled performance evaluations. Some employees have been furloughed, others have been working from home (some while also caring for their children), some have needed to take time off for COVID-related reasons, while others have …
Tips for Receiving PPP Loan Forgiveness
The Payroll Protection Program (PPP) is an element of the CARES Act that provides assistance to small businesses with 500 or fewer employees to help them pay their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a lot of helpful provisions, but certain aspects, such as only having 8 weeks to use the loan, have been …
Is the Payroll Protection Loan Right for You?
Originally published April 3, 2020. Updated June 29, 2020, to reflect PPPFA updates. On July 3, 2020, the application deadline was extended to August 8, 2020. If you’re a small business, you may be starting to have difficulty paying your employees as you may have decreased revenue coming in or your business may not be …