It’s not easy staying productive in the summer, between vacations, holidays and the heat. However, if we shift our attitudes just a bit and seek uncomplicated ways to be productive, it becomes a bit more manageable. Following are a few tips – some are mine; some are borrowed from Chris Bailey, author of several productivity books and the host of a helpful website, A Life of Productivity. Rule of Three – Bailey talks about starting…
In March of this year, Wal-Mart made headlines when it announced more reductions in its “Greeter” position as part of an ongoing phase-out of Greeters in favor of “Customer Hosts,” whose positions are more physically demanding. Walmart told Greeters across the country that their positions would be eliminated. They were invited to reapply as Customer Hosts, a role that requires employees to be able to lift 25-pound packages, climb ladders and stand for long periods of…
The weather may have been cooler than normal for much of the spring, but that doesn’t mean it will last. This summer, the outlook for Atlanta and surrounding areas predicts above average temperatures – with especially warm weather in June. That’s not good, because hot weather can be dangerous – especially if it is muggy. Moist air makes it harder for the body’s internal cooling mechanism (sweat) to do its job.Don’t take chances with the…
With cannabis (“pot”) having been decriminalized or legalized in more than 30 states—in many cases for recreational, personal use—employers are struggling with how to approach the issue. Cannabis has been touted as a medicinal aid for many conditions, from PTSD to Crohn’s disease, nausea, cancer, multiple sclerosis and more. Yet, cannabis can alter worker reaction times and cause other physical changes that could put the worker, the firm, and its customers at risk. In certain…
If you are hiring – or have hired – summer interns, are you up to date on how you need to compensate them, if at all? Traditionally, most interns worked over the summer for the experience and to build their resumes. However, unpaid internships have come under more scrutiny in recent years, not only regarding wages but also for potential benefit eligibility under the Affordable Care Act. Historical guidance, as reflected in the Department of…
Recently, a former Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) Administrator expressed concern for the new overtime rule that is working its way through the system. As we previously reported, in 2017 the Obama-era overtime rules were struck down by a court as invalid, leaving the Trump administration to make a determination about updating the rule. Former WHD Administrator Tammy McCutchen recently noted that the DOL’s planned timeline for finalizing the rule is…
According to the calendar, spring is right around the corner. With the change of seasons, more sunshine and warmer temperatures comes the time-honored ritual of spring cleaning. In combination with the document overload from tax season, you may find yourself with the urge to purge. While we don’t advocate purging important and/or corporate or tax-related business documents less than seven years old, now is a great time to gather all the documents and other papers you…
Healthcare workers are at a much higher risk of obesity than the majority of occupations, according to a 2014 study by the American Journal of Medicine. In the survey, the healthcare category, overall, ranked 5th out of 20 industries with an obesity rate of 32 percent. However, analysts suggested that figure was skewed due to the inclusion of health providers, such as doctors, who have very low obesity rates. Furthermore, ‘Healthcare support’ positions, including home…
One of the most common questions for employers determining compensable time is how to handle on-call situations. If an employee is on-call, is he or she eligible to be paid for the on-call time? The answer lies in the restrictions the employer places upon the worker during the on-call period. To make this determination, there are two key questions that employers should consider. 1. Does the employer control the location where employees must wait? Per…
Cell phone usage in the workplace is at an all-time high, and evidence is mounting that employee cell phone use causes unwanted distractions in the office. In a 2015 study by CareerBuilder, 44% of business leaders ranked cell phone usage as the number one productivity killer—placing it atop the list of workplace distractions. Yet, many company leaders struggle to manage cell phone usage effectively. Here’s a simple solution. Unless workers need their cellphones to perform…
Buffalo's Cafe Ends Human Resources Headaches;