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Author’s Note: We originally published this article in 2014, and it still holds true today. In fact, with “Ban the Box” and “Fair Chance” laws, which are designed to level the playing field for people with criminal histories, and with new restrictions on the handling of personal information, navigating the maze of background check rules has become even more difficult. Add to this new “salary ban” laws—which prohibit employers from asking about prior salaries—and compliant…
For the past several decades, experts have talked about the “disruptive” nature of technology to change, for the better, the way companies run their operations. However, with the use of digital technologies becoming as common in offices as desktop computers, these disruptions aren’t always positive. To prevent technology from becoming a detriment to the work environment, shrewd business leaders can enact policies and procedures to manage the flow of information through their company. Personal Technology…
I recently discovered a book by Chris Bailey entitled “The Productivity Project: Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and Energy.” It prompted to me to look at my own effectiveness and assess what’s working and where I could improve. Tips to increase your productivity: Rule of Three – Bailey talks about starting each day with the question, “By the time today is done, what three main things do I want to accomplish?” It sounds so…
With weather forecasters and the media trumpeting the news that the Southeast may see cooler-than-normal temperatures this summer, it may be tempting to assume that equates to a safer outdoor environment for workers. In reality, the forecast was for “near or slightly below average” temperatures, which won’t make a huge difference. Furthermore, the air is forecast to be muggy, which makes it harder for the body’s internal cooling mechanism (sweat) to do its job….
As we head toward the true start of summer, many of us look forward to reading a good book while on vacation at the beach or in the mountains. While summer may be a great opportunity for R&R, we thought our clients might also like to stay abreast of some issues that affect them as an employer. Enjoy! Supreme Court Decision Supports Employer Rights in Dispute Arbitration: In late May, the Supreme Court found that…
We hear a lot about the dangers of drunk driving, but did you know it is only the Number 3 cause of accidents? The Number 1 cause, by far, is distracted driving. Per a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), 80 percent of automobile accidents and 65 percent of near-accidents involve some form of driver distraction within three seconds of the incident. Although talking or…
“Punching the clock” has long been a euphemism for “going to work,” since it comes from the practice of personnel “punching in” by sliding timecards into a mechanical device. Salaried employees may not need to “punch in and out,” but for hourly employees, it’s the only way to measure their time and ensure they are paid accordingly. However, older mechanical time clocks aren’t always accurate and are susceptible to “buddy punching.” Additionally, processing their time…
As the bad news grows regarding Facebook’s imprudent treatment of user information, you may be wondering if privacy violations are endangering your company or its personnel. At Marathon, we believe it is certainly possible. We recommend prudence as the best course of action. All organizations should have a clearly defined social media “posture” supported by firm policies regarding the use of social media. Companies in industries that involve vulnerable populations, such education, home healthcare (e.g….
Last year, President Trump withdrew two Obama-era Department of Labor (DOL) “Guidance Letters,” one of which had made it more difficult for companies to safely classify workers as independent contractors. Some national organizations hailed withdrawal of the guidance as “pro-employer,” but Marathon recommended companies continue to be very cautious with their determinations. Now, we are reiterating that stance. With the withdrawal of the guidance letter, a 2015 “multi-factor test” was no longer relevant. However, the…
A March 2018 court decision, Shell v. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company, has set a possible precedent for employers to be held liable in actions where they inadvertently classify an obese individual as disabled by making health assumptions based on weight. Per the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) obesity is not a protected status under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) unless the obesity both is outside of a “normal” range and results from…
Buffalo's Cafe Ends Human Resources Headaches;