Labor Law Corner
Who Is a Volunteer? Best Practices for Adult and Minor Volunteers
We are a nonprofit organization, and have an on-site library staffed by volunteers. We want to invite youth/minors to volunteer for these roles as...
Deductions from Employee Wages Not Allowed Except in Limited Cases
One of our employees is continually short on their cash drawer. Can we deduct the shortage from the employee’s tips if the employee agrees...
Signed Blanket Meal Break Waivers OK Under Certain Conditions
Can our new hires sign one-time blanket meal break waivers, or does the employee need to sign a written waiver each time he or...
How to Respond to Federal Request for Documents Related to Form I-9s
We received a Notice of Inspection from the federal government requesting documents related to our Form I-9s and other business documents. How do we...
Reducing an Exempt Employee’s Salary? Proceed with Extreme Caution
We have an employee who is classified as an exempt administrative employee and is paid $70,000 a year. He wants to work four days...
Personal Cell Phone Use for Work: How to Figure Reimbursement Rate
Our employees use their personal cell phones at work — hourly employees use an app on their phones to clock in and out and...
‘Furry’ Query Shows Advisability of Formalized Dress Code Definitions
One of our employees is a “furry” and has asked to come in to the office dressed as a furry. Do we have to...
Lengthy Restroom Use? Reasonable Accommodation May Be Needed
We have an employee who spends a considerable amount of time every day using the restroom. After she comes back from the restroom, she...
Best Ways to Handle Co-Worker Concerns about Transgender Employee
I recently hired a transgender employee. Some employees have told me that using pronouns which don’t align with someone’s biological sex goes against their...
‘Misconduct’ Not Automatic Cause for Denying Unemployment Benefits
We terminated an employee, and she has filed a claim for unemployment benefits. We want to fight her claim because she was fired for...
