Trans-Atlantic Framework Would Ease EU-to-US Data Flows

?The United States and the European Commission (EC) have agreed in principle to a new protocol—the Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework—that would make it easier for companies to transfer personal information, including employee... Read more »

Failure to Use Progressive Discipline Dooms Hospital’s Summary Judgment Motion

?Procedural deviations during a hospital employee’s suspension and disciplinary hearing, including the lack of progressive discipline required by a collective bargaining agreement, could support an inference of retaliatory motivation related to her... Read more »

Court Revives Temporary Worker’s Claim Against Contractor’s Client

?Takeaway: A company can potentially avoid being subject to federal employment laws by having contractors supply staff for events. However, the company should avoid dictating contractor staffing decisions or else the company... Read more »

Extra H-2B Visas Now Available for Summer Employment

?Employers in the U.S. may now apply for the recently released 35,000 H-2B visas made available for seasonal foreign guest workers this summer. The additional visas are for those starting work through... Read more »

Skills-Based Hiring Guidance Issued for Federal Jobs

?The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued guidance on adopting skills-based hiring practices to fill federal government jobs. Historically, the government has based a candidate’s hiring eligibility on formal education... Read more »

Expanding Pre-Deductible Coverage for Chronic Conditions Doesn’t Hike Premiums, Study Finds

Providing coverage of medications and other treatments for chronic health conditions before employees meet their plan deductibles does not significantly raise health plan premiums, new research shows. For employees, pre-deductible coverage makes... Read more »

Apple Postpones Plans to Work in the Office Three Days a Week

?Noting a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, Apple Inc. informed employees May 17 that it is delaying its plans to require employees to work in the office three days a week. We’ve... Read more »

How to Stop Employees from Hoarding Knowledge

?In a learning economy where knowledge is constantly evolving, it’s important for everyone in an organization to share what they know and learn from each other to ensure their own growth—not to... Read more »

How HR Is Using Virtual Chat and Chatbots

?Chatbots can play a role in augmenting or even replacing person-to-person interactions between employees (or potential employees) and HR staff. More HR leaders are considering and adopting conversational AI technology. In fact,... Read more »

Supreme Court Declines to Send Overtime Claim to Arbitration

?In a unanimous opinion, the U.S. Supreme Court on May 23 declined to send an overtime claim against a Taco Bell franchise owned by Sundance Inc. to arbitration when Sundance failed to... Read more »