Blog Posts: Taking Care of HR Business
Visit the Full BlogHuman resource professionals, supervisors, and company executives alike face a constantly changing and evolving legal landscape. Verrill's Taking Care of HR Business blog is here to keep you up to date on the newest and most important legal developments for employers.
Updated Postings for Maine Employers
Employers in the State of Maine with fifty (50) or more employees should be mindful that the Maine Bureau of Labor has updated its poster for Veterans Benefits and Services. The poster is required for Maine employers with fifty (50) or more employees and is available here . Employers...
HR Power Hour with Linda Riddell
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Linda Riddell. This episode discuses in-work poverty, its challenges and how to aid employees in breaking down barriers that stand in the way of their progression out of poverty—and ultimately become more productive...
HR Power Hour with Dr. Anna Marie Frank
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Dr. Anna Marie Frank. This episode discusses how COVID has changed the way people work as well as how small changes in cognitive health can help employees be healthier and more productive at...
HR Power Hour with Colette Phillips
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Colette Phillips. This episode discusses how without an inclusive culture, an organization will never achieve true diversity or equity. Colette is President and CEO of Colette Phillips Communications as well as Founder and...
HR Power Hour with Jeremy Vesta
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Jeremy Vesta. This episode discuses addressing the hidden cost of insurance. James is Chief Financial Officer of Curally where he uses his expertise as an economist and his extensive business leadership background to...
HR Power Hour with Carla Fowler
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Carla Fowler, MD PhD. This episode discusses the top five fallacies of goal obtainment. Carla founded THAXA out of a passion for performance science, where the fields of strategy, productivity, and psychology intersect...
Department of Labor Releases Final Independent Contractor Status Rule
On Tuesday January 9, 2024, the Department of Labor (DOL) published its final rule setting forth how worker classification (i.e., whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor) will be determined by the agency under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This issue is relevant to all industries...
HR Power Hour with Peter Gore
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Senior Government Relations Specialist Peter Gore . This episode discusses Maine’s paid FMLA program which the Maine legislature passed in 2023 which many have referred to as the broadest paid family medical leave...
Portland, ME Employers: Emergency Minimum Wage Ends at 12:15 p.m.
On January 11, 2024, at 12:15 p.m., Governor Janet Mills declared a state of emergency in Cumberland County as a result of the severe storm earlier in the week. The state of emergency will expire January 18, 2024, at 12:15. As Portland, Maine employers may recall, when the State...
Portland, Maine Employers: Emergency Minimum Wage
Yesterday, January 11, 2023, at 12:15 p.m., Governor Janet Mills declared a state of emergency in Cumberland County as a result of the severe storm earlier in the week. As Portland, Maine employers may recall, when the State issues a state of emergency, it triggers the emergency minimum wage...
HR Power Hour with James Cluskey
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to James Cluskey. This episode discusses how embracing pressure impacts performance outcomes. James is a former professional tennis player turned entrepreneur and private tennis coach to Sir Richard Branson. Since retiring from professional tennis...
HR Power Hour with Jermey Vesta
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Jeremy Vesta. This episode discuses addressing the hidden cost of insurance. James is Chief Financial Officer of Curally where he uses his expertise as an economist and his extensive business leadership background to...
HR Power Hour with Lori Wallace
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Lori Wallace. This episode discusses how many common interview practices have damaging effects on applicants and their ability to successfully present themselves in interviews. Lori is the Founder and CEO of Career Ecology...
HR Power Hour with Heather Hansen
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Heather Hansen. This episode discusses how accent bias effects how individuals process information and make decisions, both in the work environment and in life generally. Heather is the Founder of Global Speech Academy...
HR Power Hour with Dr. Keri Ohlrich
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Dr. Keri Ohlrich. This episode discusses the tools companies can use to better manage the challenging elements of the hybrid work environment. Dr. Keri Ohlrich is the CEO and co-founder of Abbracci Group...
HR Power Hour with Robert Brooks and Elizabeth Johnston
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Robert Brooks and Elizabeth Johnston . This episode discusses the top four NLRB actions of 2023 that employers should be mindful of and steps that they can take to guard against an unfair...
Maine Captive Audience Statute Requirements
For employers operating in New England, they are likely aware of Connecticut and New York’s recent captive audience statutes, but a quick re-cap on Maine’s recently enacted Captive Audience statute: Maine’s Captive Audience statute went into effect in September 2023, and includes a requirement that employers have postings in...
HR Power Hour with Jeremy Vesta
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Jeremy Vesta. This episode addresses the hidden costs of insurance and how employers can commit to helping their employees understand their health conditions, embrace different treatment options and change behaviors to positively influence...
HR Power Hour with Fernanda Anzek
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Fernanda Anzek. This episode discusses the effect “Quiet Cutting” has on DEI programs. Fernanda is Managing Director, HR Operations for Insperity where she leads teams that support small businesses with human resources and...
HR Power Hour with Sabine Gedeon
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Sabine Gedeon. This episode discusses planning, training, and talent review as three areas that organizations can focus on to assist the next generation of leaders in finding success early in their career. Sabine...
HR Power Hour with Heather Hansen
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Heather Hansen. This episode discusses how accent bias effects how individuals process information and make decisions, both in the work environment and in life generally. Heather is the Founder of Global Speech Academy...
Time to Update Your Handbooks
Employers – a recent decision by an administrative agency you have likely never heard of will likely require you to revise your employment policies and handbooks. Some background: the National Labor Relations Act is a federal law granting employees the right to form or join unions and engage in...
Connecticut Supreme Court Opinion Sheds Light on Quasi-Judicial Standard in Context of University Disciplinary Proceeding
Recently, the Connecticut Supreme Court analyzed the availability of absolute immunity for participants in quasi-judicial proceedings, specifically in relation to the dismissal of a complaint by a Yale University student stemming from sexual assault allegations made against him during the school’s disciplinary proceedings. The Court’s opinion and holdings have...
DEI Efforts in the Wake of the Supreme Court’s College Admissions Decision
Last week the United States Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision ending a four-decade precedent which had allowed universities and colleges to consider the race of applicants during the admissions process. What, if anything, does this mean for private employer DEI efforts? First, the question before the Supreme Court...
HR Power Hour with Elizabeth Johnston
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Elizabeth Johnston . This episode discusses pregnancy and the workplace. Liz is a regular contributor to Verrill’s Taking Care of HR Business blog and handles a variety of employment matters including working with...
HR Power Hour with Melissa Denbow
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Melissa Denbow. This episode discusses how companies can become more engaged with their community through communicating the value of community engagement to team members. Melissa is Vice President Community Experience Manager at Machias...
HR Power Hour with John Robertson
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to John Robertson. This episode discusses the skills, resources, and tools organizational managers should possess in order to decrease crises before they happen. John is the Founder and President of FORTLOG Services, he has...
HR Power Hour with Carol Bowser
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to John Robertson. This episode discusses ways in which companies can provide tools and resources for employees to manage conflict and de-escalate conflict at work. Carol Bowser J.D is a workplace conflict expert. After...
HR Power Hour with Dr. Keri Ohlrich
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Dr. Keri Ohlrich. This episode discusses the tools companies can use to better manage the challenging elements of the hybrid work environment. Dr. Keri Ohlrich is the CEO and co-founder of Abbracci Group...
What’s Next: How to Respond to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Current Policies Surrounding Confidentiality and Non-Disparagement Provisions
The Background: McLaren Macomb On February 21, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (“the Board”) decided McLaren Macomb , a case where a hospital offered severance pay to eleven permanently furloughed employees in exchange for the employees agreeing to sign a severance agreement. The severance agreements contained provisions that...
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