we need paid family and medical leave — and a new bill in Congress would give it to us by Alison Green on May 13, 2021 It’s no secret that the U.S. has terrible support for workers, particularly around paid family and medical leave. No federal law requires employers to offer paid leave at all. Some states have begun to require paid sick leave, but most still don’t. But there’s now legislation in Congress (the American Families Plan) that would provide […] Read the full article →
my employee is paranoid — can I help or is it not my business? by Alison Green on April 19, 2021 A reader writes: I lead a small team of four: two assistants who I supervise, and one colleague at my level but who doesn’t have supervisory duties. Because we’re a small team that likes one another, our meetings usually end with personal chatter—nothing boundary-crossing, just normal friendly updates. One assistant, Georgia, has a bit of […] Read the full article →
if you lost your job recently, you’re eligible for 6 months of free health insurance by Alison Green on April 1, 2021 If you lost your job in the last 18 months, you can now remain on your employer-sponsored health insurance for free through September 30, as part of the American Rescue Plan Act signed into law last month. Some background: Typically when you lose your job, you’re eligible to continue on your employer’s health care plan […] Read the full article →
can my company require employees to get the Covid vaccine? by Alison Green on March 10, 2021 A reader writes: My employer just issued a company-wide Covid vaccination mandate requiring all employees to get the vaccine. Is this legal? I work in an office setting. Some positions do field work, but this is not a public-facing environment. My job can be done entirely remotely and this has been proven, but my company […] Read the full article →
company gives employees 6 months to “fix” their health issues by Alison Green on February 25, 2021 A reader writes: I’ve worked in HR for 15 years, striving to be the seemingly elusive good HR. I’ve administered wellness programs in a couple of different workplaces and the main purpose has always been engagement – you want people to feel good about taking care of themselves and to be as healthy as they […] Read the full article →
should I disclose my depression to my boss? by Alison Green on January 5, 2021 A reader writes: Does it ever make sense to let an employer know that you suffer from depression? I take an antidepressant daily. I’m not seeing a therapist. I would call it more of a functional depression, where I can live with it, but at times it can feel worse and I have to force […] Read the full article →
the law requiring paid sick leave for Covid ends next week — and won’t be extended by Alison Green on December 22, 2020 Remember that new law Congress passed in March requiring paid sick leave for workers with Covid or suspected Covid, as well as paid family leave to care for someone with Covid or suspected Covid? That’s ending. In nine days. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) only applied to employers with fewer than 500 employees […] Read the full article →
is it right to fire someone for being arrested for a (horrible) crime? by Alison Green on November 30, 2020 A reader writes: Recently a coworker of mine failed to show up for his shift a few days in a row, and his supervisors were unable to reach him on his phone. Eventually, someone went to his home, where they were informed of the reason he hadn’t been at work — he was in jail. […] Read the full article →
my new team is taunting me because I have a nut allergy by Alison Green on October 26, 2020 A reader writes: I have a nut allergy and carry an epipen. It’s never been an issue in the 12 years I’ve worked for my company. I have recently been promoted to a new department. As usual, I explained to the manager I have a nut allergy but it doesn’t effect anything (i.e., it’s not […] Read the full article →
employee keeps missing work because of possible Covid exposures in their social life by Alison Green on October 7, 2020 A reader writes: Is there ever a point where it becomes acceptable to comment on an employee’s personal life/choices during COVID times? To start, our policy is if you have symptoms or have had a possible exposure you have to notify the company and stay home until you have negative test results. While a handful […] Read the full article →