In The News

As an HR manager, you’re confronted with various scenarios on a daily basis. For Marie, a Monday morning discussion with a warehouse employee presented a challenging situation that, unfortunately, she didn’t initially respond to properly. Thinking someone was playing a joke on her, she inappropriately laughed at the employee’s pronouncement that he was transitioning from a man to a woman. Read on to learn how she recovered her composure and took the appropriate steps regarding his transition and his privacy.*

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An employee has just returned from pregnancy leave and is requesting time and space to “pump” at work. You’re not sure what this entails or how this is going to impact your business – not to mention the comfort level of your other employees.

Which of the following accommodations are you required to offer?

1. You have to give her several paid breaks throughout the day lasting 30 minutes or more.
2. You must provide a private area for her to “pump” – someplace other than a bathroom.
3. You must provide her unpaid time off to go home up to three times in an 8-hour shift to feed her baby.
4. You do not have to accommodate the employee’s request. She can pump on her lunch break.

View the answer.

Managers are expected to exercise good judgement at work, but what happens when managers “hang out” with employees after work? Are they still expected to use good judgment? One HR manager decided that, yes, the company’s expectation extended beyond the workplace – at least when it comes to interacting with subordinates. See if you agree.*

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After your company’s fantastic year, you’ve decided to reward your employees with a holiday “thank you” gift.

Some ideas include an option of cash, gift cards, or one of those delicious honey baked hams – save them from slaving away in the kitchen. Although cash is always popular, you want to ensure your gift doesn’t come with any unwanted consequences.

You remember vague details about gifts being taxable, but don’t know if:

1. You can give your employees a gift of any value without it being taxable;
2. All employee gifts are taxable income to the employee;
3. Gifts up to $100 are not considered taxable;
4. Nominal gifts are not taxable, but cash and gift cards always are.

View the answer.