15 stories that chronicle HR's year in a pandemic

As employers pass the one-year mark from initial shutdowns and safety measures, a timeline of stories is a reminder of what HR professionals faced.

By Katie Clarey • March 14, 2021

How to evaluate compliance training programs and ensure a compliant 2021

Mock audits, employee tests and manager insight will help leaders determine the effectiveness of their programs, writes Giovanni Gallo of ComplianceLine.

By Giovanni Gallo • March 14, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Inside the rapidly changing world of compliance

The HR landscape is ever-shifting, leaving compliance professionals to meet today’s requirements while keeping an eye on the future.

By HR Dive staff

DOL to rescind joint employment, independent contractor regs

The rescinded rule "included a description of joint employment contrary to statutory language and Congressional intent," according to a DOL release.

By Kate Tornone • Updated July 29, 2021

Biden signs coronavirus relief law expanding FFCRA tax credit, unemployment funding

The law also contains a provision for COBRA premium assistance, stimulus checks for certain individuals and couples and other assistance for businesses.

By Ryan Golden • Updated March 12, 2021

Home healthcare company to pay $1.6M to settle DOL misclassification claim

The federal agency said the company failed to pay the workers overtime even after it classified them as employees.

By Lisa Burden • March 11, 2021

New York passes paid leave for workers getting coronavirus vaccine

The state senate unanimously passed the bill March 1, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to sign it into law.

By Katie Clarey • March 11, 2021

Survey: Despite widespread training, most managers don't understand FMLA basics

Managers and supervisors can sometimes be the cause of FMLA claims, especially if they aren't aware of their duties under the law.

By Katie Clarey • March 10, 2021

DOL official: Employers paid 'close to $4M' for FFCRA violations

Helen Applewhaite, director of DOL's Division of FMLA and Other Acts, described last year's FFCRA implementation process as "intense" and "unprecedented."

By Ryan Golden • March 10, 2021

3rd Cir. affirms employer's right to fire for social media posts

The plaintiff claimed her employer violated Title VII when it declined to fire other employees who shared "controversial" posts.

By Lisa Burden • March 10, 2021

ADA did not protect anemic worker, 11th Cir. rules

Not only did the worker fail to demonstrate that her anemia was a disability, but she also testified that her condition did not affect her work in any way.

By Lisa Burden • March 8, 2021

No FMLA liability if employee isn't harmed, 7th Cir. says

An employee's job was restructured during his leave, but he never suffered compensable harm, the court said.

By Lisa Burden • March 8, 2021

Employers paid $439M to resolve EEOC discrimination claims in 2020

Like other federal agencies, EEOC contended with the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on its enforcement activities.

By Ryan Golden • March 8, 2021

Black manager sues Amazon claiming 'systemic pattern' of discrimination

The e-commerce giant has made gains in overall workforce racial diversity, but there has been less improvement at the managerial level.

By Sheryl Estrada • Updated March 7, 2021

EEOC: Miami hotel fired Seventh Day Adventist for refusing to work Saturdays

The suit alleged a manager told the worker: "If you are unable to work on Saturdays, your place is not here." 

By Lisa Burden • March 5, 2021

Barnes & Noble pays $910K to settle cafe managers' misclassification suit

Exemptions are based on objective standards and are not dependent on employer-determined job titles, experts say.

By Lisa Burden • March 4, 2021

DHS' denied telework request wasn't adverse action, DC court rules

An adverse employment action is "a significant change in employment status," the court noted.

By Lisa Burden • March 4, 2021

Prof's 'much younger' replacement did not prove ageism claim

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act forbids discrimination based on age against applicants and employees age 40 and older.

By Lisa Burden • March 4, 2021

2nd Cir. won't reconsider whether criminal history hiring ban disparately impacted Black applicants

There's a growing push in the U.S. to remove the barriers for job seekers with criminal histories.

By Katie Clarey • March 3, 2021

Class action claims unpaid work, OT violations at Sun-Maid

The former employee's complaint claims both FLSA and state law violations.

By Lisa Burden • March 2, 2021

5 FMLA certification questions on coronavirus answered

As decisions are being made at the federal level, HR practitioners continue to seek guidance on FMLA certification procedures.

By Sheryl Estrada • March 1, 2021

Johnson & Johnson worker fired 4 weeks after leave alleges bias

The employee said his position was given to a younger, less-qualified individual without a disability.

By Lisa Burden • March 1, 2021

South Carolina Ben & Jerry's settles wage, child labor violations

Children under 14 years of age may not be employed in non-agricultural occupations covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act.

By Lisa Burden • March 1, 2021

House passes Equality Act, aiming to codify LGBTQ workplace protections

Legislation solidifying Bostock could prevent misinterpretations of the case law and pave the way for EEOC guidance, according to one expert.

By Sheryl Estrada • Feb. 26, 2021

Doctor's note failed to prove worker's disability, court finds

The worker failed to establish her physician as an expert witness, the 10th Circuit concluded.

By Lisa Burden • Feb. 26, 2021

Court OKs employee surveillance to root out FMLA abuse

A chemicals company used footage to prove a worker's behavior was inconsistent with her stated need for leave following reports that she got a pedicure while recovering from foot surgery.

By Lisa Burden , Katie Clarey • Feb. 25, 2021