News

May 5, 2020

How Leaders Can Set an Example for Remote Employees

For many of us, the experience of working entirely from home is a new one. It has required us to rethink the way we work and […]
May 4, 2020

How to Support the Mental Health of Your Employees During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health. People have experienced financial hardship, additional challenges with childcare and school cancellations, job loss, reduced […]
April 30, 2020

DOL Extends COBRA Timeframes and other Benefit Plan Deadlines

The Departments of Labor (DOL) and Treasury have announced a new Final Rule extending certain timeframes for employee benefit plans, including extending the usual deadlines for […]
April 29, 2020

Some of our employees have said they don’t feel safe returning to work. Can we just permanently replace them?

We recommend extreme caution when deciding to replace an employee who refuses to work because of concerns about COVID-19. Generally, employees do not have a right […]
April 28, 2020

We are reopening after business closure due to COVID-19. Can we bring some employees back, but not others?

Yes. If you are recalling some positions, but not others, you should document the business reasons why only those positions were recalled. If you are recalling […]
April 27, 2020

Can we screen employees returning to work for COVID-19?

Yes. Generally, inquiries about an employee’s health or a medical exam (like a temperature check) would not be allowed, but the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) […]
April 24, 2020

COVID-19 and Employee Benefits Plans

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created new and unique challenges for employers, their workers, and their businesses. ThinkHR has been on the front lines, supporting employers […]
April 23, 2020

What to Do When You Have to Close Due to COVID-19

Having to close is understandably a very difficult situation for employers and their employees. There are three basic options when it comes to keeping employees or […]
April 22, 2020

Overview of Unemployment Benefits Changes Under the CARES Act

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act became law on March 27, 2020, and is a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus package designed to support […]
April 21, 2020

Ask the Advisor: I am a private employer. Does the FFCRA apply to me if I have more than 500 employees? How do I count them?

No, if you are a private employer and employ more than 500 employees, the FFCRA does not apply to your organization. In the case of private […]
April 15, 2020

Deciding Whether to Keep Employees Working

Ultimately each company will need to determine how it will fulfill its duty to provide a safe workplace to its employees. It’s very important to pay […]
April 14, 2020

Ask the Advisor: How Do I Make a Telecommuting Policy?

Although some employers will be comfortable sending everyone home with their laptop and saying, go forth and be productive, most will want to be a little […]
December 13, 2017

Court Orders Repayment of $45,896 and Sentences Former Fund Manager In Pension Plan Theft to Serve 5 Years of Probation

BIRMINGHAM, AL – The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division, has sentenced a former fund manager in Birmingham to make restitution […]
December 15, 2017

An Early Gift for Employers: Recent NLRB Decisions Create More Predictability

Twas eleven days before Christmas, when all through the land, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced it was taking a stand. What came as welcome […]
December 19, 2017

Federal Law Update-December 2017

DOL Announced Proposal Expanding Tip Sharing On December 4, 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a notice of proposed rule making (NPRM) regarding the […]
December 19, 2017

California Law Update- December 2017

Oakland Minimum Wage Increase and Poster Update On December 12, 2017, the City of Oakland announced its minimum wage will increase to $13.23 on January 1, […]