News

April 6, 2021

Can we terminate an employee who’s looking for work elsewhere?

Question We’ve recently learned that one of our employees is planning to leave the company and has been applying for positions elsewhere. Can we terminate them? […]
April 2, 2021

Why States and Municipalities Are Protecting Natural Hair

With the recent addition of Connecticut, eight states and a number of municipalities have passed laws prohibiting race-based hair discrimination, also known as natural hair discrimination. […]
March 25, 2021

When Stress Affects an Employee’s Mental Health

Question An employee says that the stress of the job is affecting their mental health. How should we handle this? Answer This employee may just need […]
March 23, 2021

Are we required to talk to the parents of a terminated employee?

The parents of a recently terminated employee have called us several times asking us why their son was fired. Are we required to discuss the matter […]
March 18, 2021

American Rescue Plan Act Signed Into Law

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which is the latest bill to address the ongoing economic impacts of COVID-19, has been signed into law. Most aspects […]
March 16, 2021

One of our employees was arrested today. Can we terminate their employment?

Question One of our employees was arrested today. Can we terminate their employment? Answer We would recommend against terminating employment simply on the basis of an […]
March 11, 2021

ThinkHR in the News

Our VP of People & Talent, Carla Yudhishthu, was quoted recently for stories in TechRepublic and U.S. News and World Report. In the former, Carla explains […]
March 9, 2021

Can I require employees to turn on their cameras during meetings?

Question Can I require employees to turn on their cameras during meetings? Answer Yes, generally, you can require employees to have their webcam on during meetings. […]
March 4, 2021

Our company is closing today due to inclement weather. Are we required to pay employees for this day?

The answer depends on whether the employees are exempt or nonexempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Exempt employees must still be paid when you close […]
March 2, 2021

How to Make Good Use of Your Employee Handbook

Employee handbooks are a nifty communication and reference tool for the workplace, but only if they’re used and not collecting dust on some physical (or digital) […]
February 25, 2021

Do I need to include an EEO statement in our job postings?

Question Do I need to include an EEO statement in our job postings? Answer Unless you are a federal contractor, you are not required to have […]
February 23, 2021

OSHA’s New COVID-19 Guidance

Question I’ve heard that OSHA released new COVID-19 workplace guidance. Are there any new requirements? Answer Technically, no. OSHA’s new guidance is advisory in nature and […]
October 9, 2017

US Labor Department, PBGC partnership recovers almost $1.5M for participants in two Chicago-based pension benefit plans

CHICAGO – A partnership between the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has recovered almost $1.5 million for […]
October 10, 2017

New fiduciary rule guidance from US Labor Department

WASHINGTON – Fiduciary rule guidance for financial advisors, retirement plan sponsors, and individual workers and retirees has been published on the U.S. Labor Department’s website. This […]
October 10, 2017

US Department of Labor recovers more than $41K for the St. Paul-based Weinhagen Tire Co. Inc. 401(k) Plan

Date of Action: April 11, 2017 Type of Action: Consent order and judgment Names of Defendant: Michael E. WeinhagenWeinhagen Tire Co. Inc.Weinhagen Tire Co. Inc. 401(k) […]
October 10, 2017

Ohio Employment Law Update-September 2017

October 10th, 2017 Minimum Wage Increase The Ohio Department of Commerce has announced that the state’s minimum wage will increase from $8.15 to $8.30 per hour […]