An employee gets drug tested and the test comes back positive. Seems like an easy call to make... or so you think. This was the predicament that an Airgas employee found himself in after using hemp products during his cancer treatments. After trying to plead his case, that he had not been doing drugs, Airgas terminated him, claiming it was their honest belief that it was the right decision based on their information.  The story may have ended there if it weren't for a plot twist that drives home the importance of documentation and proper investigation. Stay tuned to the end to hear how a ..read more

Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: Is there a type of policy an organization should have that shows the process of suggesting new ideas or policies? Our company is being bought out and there is a new perfect attendance policy. This feels like it will disproportionately impact working parents. Is this legal? How should I address concerns on this? What’s the next step in a sexual harassment claim where there are no evidentiary findings? BONUS QUESTION: Does anyone have a template for an agreement during an interview proces ..read more

This week, the team is uncovering the dark side of retaliation in the workplace, straight from a nightmarish case at Tosh Farms, Tennessee. A shocking number of EEOC claims involve retaliation. Listen in to hear the spine-chilling tactics used against employees and the impact on company reputation and legal standing.  In the HR News segment, the team touches on the following topics and more: How payroll weeks impact overtime considerations The salary transparency laws changing the hiring landscape Age restrictions on employee-provided housing Retaliation evidence in company text message ..read more

Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: Our handbook policy says we cannot wear anything vulgar, but we don’t have anything about vulgar bumper stickers on our personal vehicles. Can managers order individuals to cover vulgar bumper stickers on their personal vehicles? I have an HR friend who was asking me about a problem supervisor who likes to limit an employee’s workflow so that there is no work to do on a daily basis, so the employee quits. Is this a hostile work environment? And can the employer be held liable? With my l ..read more

Join Chuck and John in this special episode where they replay their webinar they hold quarterly, updating HR professionals in all of the major industry law and regulation updates YOU CAN’T MISS! Stick around to the end for a special announcement From reviewing the big game changer policies of 2023 such as the I-9 changes, the PUMP Act, and religious accommodations, to talking about the most recent updates to minimum wage, Joint Employer Rule from NLRB, and DOL’s final rule on Independent Contractors, this episode is jam packed with the details your business can’t afford to lose sight of. The t ..read more

In this week's episode, we delve into the critical yet often overlooked aspects of the PUMP Act, through the lens of two compelling stories from nursing mothers at McDonald's. Discover what happens when workplace policies fail to support nursing employees, and the crucial lessons HR can learn from these real-life experiences.  We'll explore the importance of the PUMP Act for HR professionals, offering key insights into how to effectively implement and adhere to its guidelines. This isn't just about compliance; it's about fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for all employ ..read more

Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: We’re having trouble with a background check on a 15 year old intern. Is this even required? An employee verbally assaulted a new employee and she claims her autoimmune disease causes her to not think clearly and not act herself. What do you do in this situation? Are we legally required to provide medical benefits to our paid interns whose assignment is shorter than 3 months? Support the show The Ultimate Book of HR Checklists – Getting HR Right: Your Step-by-Step Reference for Avoidin ..read more

Dive deep as we peel back the corporate curtain, revealing the shocking disconnect between leaders' expectations and the harsh realities faced by employees. From unpaid overtime at Garnett News Company to deadly safety oversights, discover how policies fail in the face of middle management decisions and workplace culture. Are extensive policies enough when employees suffer and laws are ignored? Join us as we explore the crucial steps needed to bridge the gap, transform organizational culture, and truly protect our workforce. This episode is a wake-up call to all leaders and HR professionals: i ..read more

Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: How many times/how often do you fire employees in your organization? What’s your take on who should talk during a termination? How long should you usually give an emplopyee to cash a check? If a check was lost and you re-issue a check and they have not come to pick up the re-issued check, 2 months later. Can you review the types of exempt employees? Support the show The Ultimate Book of HR Checklists – Getting HR Right: Your Step-by-Step Reference for Avoiding Costly Mistakes. Go to HR ..read more

It goes without saying (but we will anyways) that the pandemic drastically changed our ways of working as well as our expectations of a job. One of the most notable changes was the shift to remote work. While many companies embraced this change and have found a new way of collaborating, others have grown tired of it and are starting to pull back on the remote flexibility many employees have come to expect.  While there is no right or wrong way, there is certainly a better way to tell your employees there is a change coming than an awkward corporate leadership announcement video with seem ..read more