Scroll to view all questions or click a category to view by topic area. Submit questions to info@strategicHRinc.com.

Image of HR Wheel of Services emphasizing Benefits and Compensation Services from Clark Schaefer Strategic HR

Are you familiar with the Portal-to-Portal Act?

Question: If I need to send an employee to “cover” at a worksite other than where they are regularly schedule to work, am I required to pay them for the time it takes them to get there? Answer: It depends! Luckily, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) addresses this issue specifically. Section 29 CFR § […]

Image of HR Wheel of Services emphasizing Benefits and Compensation Services from Clark Schaefer Strategic HR

Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Divisions Email Service

Question: At a recent HR meeting we were encouraged to sign up for the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Divisions email service. Why would we want to do this? Answer: The DOL provides the opportunity to receive free e-mail notices when new information is available on the website that includes over 100 different topics, […]

Clark Schaefer Strategic HR's wheel of HR Services, including HR Strategy, Recruitment, Training & Development, Benefits & Compensation, Communications, Employee Relations, Recordkeeping, and Health, Safety & Security

FMLA and Maternity Leave

Question:   I am pregnant and am looking to take some time off after the baby is born under the Family Medical Leave Act.  I have worked for my employer for over 3 years off and on but they aren’t consecutive. Do I still qualify for FMLA? Answer: Everyone’s favorite HR answer….Maybe!  In order to be […]

Image of our Wheel of HR Services, with a focus on Employee Relations.

Making A Drug Free Workplace Exception

Question: We recently acquired a company. We are a drug free workplace and conducted drug screens across the entire workforce for the new company. One employee did not pass, however, he was a top performer and highly recommended by the management of the company we acquired. Our policy does say failure to pass the drug […]

Image of our Wheel of HR Services, with a focus on Employee Relations.

Performance Management: The Individual Strategic Plan

by Robin Throckmorton, MA, SPHR Performance management has become an ever-increasing critical tool to success for businesses. Within the last year we have experienced both a booming economy as well as a recession; a historically low unemployment rate combined with massive layoffs and business closings. But the bottom line to all of this is people! […]

Image of HR Wheel of Services emphasizing Benefits and Compensation Services from Clark Schaefer Strategic HR

Co-op and Intern Exemption Status

We would like to add a co-op student to our staff this year. Are Co-ops and Interns considered exempt or non-exempt? How do you determine this?

Image of HR Wheel of Services emphasizing Benefits and Compensation Services from Clark Schaefer Strategic HR

Summary of Benefits Coverage

It sounds like the Health Care Reform is requiring employers to distribute Summary of Benefits Coverage documents for plan years beginning September 23. What do I need to know?

NEWSLETTER DISCLAIMER

The recommendations and opinions provided by Strategic HR and its staff are advisory only and are based on general human resource management fundamentals, practices and principles, and are not legal opinions or guaranteed outcomes. This information is provided with the understanding that the user assumes the risk of verifying information used from this site when interpreting it for their own use. We strongly recommend, as part of a team approach to management, that companies consult with their legal counsel to address specific legal concerns related to human resource issues.