my VP of HR says my service dog is too small by Alison Green on November 15, 2021 A reader writes: I work for a small-ish company (80) people. I have epilepsy and I have a seizure alert dog. She can detect when I am about to have a seizure, which helps me get somewhere safe (she’s alerted when I’m on the stairs so I know to sit down immediately, or if I’m […] Read the full article →
boss organizes a poker game to determine end-of-year bonuses by Alison Green on October 6, 2021 A reader writes: Is it legal for my husband’s boss to have his employees play poker to determine their bonuses? The backstory begins last winter, when a declaration was made by the owner of the company, “Michael,” that Christmas poker would be played in the office! So Michael walks in like Santa Claus with thousands […] Read the full article →
how will the vaccine mandate work exactly? by Alison Green on September 21, 2021 Earlier this month, President Joe Biden announced a series of measures to combat COVID-19 more aggressively, including a mandate that many employers require their workers to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing. Here’s what we know so far about how the mandate will work. What exactly does the vaccination mandate require of businesses? Private-sector businesses […] Read the full article →
my company wants me to investigate what expensive medical treatments employees are having and why by Alison Green on August 30, 2021 A reader writes: I took a job a few months ago doing benefits for a new company and recently have started to feel uneasy about one of my job duties. For now this particular duty has been delegated to my manager (who has experience in benefits but only started at this company a week before […] Read the full article →
is it dishonest not to disclose you’re pregnant when you’re interviewing? by Alison Green on August 2, 2021 A reader writes: I’m hoping you can settle a discussion between my parents and I. I’m not sure if our different views are because we’re from different generations (Boomers vs. Millennial) or because my view is colored by the fact that I’m almost six months pregnant right now. I was considering applying for a different […] Read the full article →
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 →