Tag Archives: Productivity

“Now We Got Bad Blood”: When Discretionary Bonuses Don’t Meet Employee Expectations

Ver la versión en español aquí. Much like Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood, bonus plans can sour an employer-employee relationship when an employee’s expectations are undercut by the plan’s fine print. This was the case in Presidio, Inc. v. Feeny, a case decided in February 2024 by the Fourth District Court of Appeal of Florida, centering … Continue Reading

How Managers Can Curb Invisible Off-The-Clock Work Claims

Ver la versión en español aquí. We published a shorter version on this topic in a previous blog post. You can also find this article published on Law360.com. In the last few months, there has been a rash of federal court lawsuits across the country in which nonexempt employees have alleged that their employers have … Continue Reading

The Overwhelmed Employee and the Clueless Employer–A Tale of the Hidden Costs of Off-the-Clock Work

Ver la versión en español aquí. In the last few months, a number of employers have reported being flabbergasted to discover non-exempt employees working very early mornings, late nights or weekends “off the clock” (after working 40 hours on-the-clock).  Apparently, no one in management asked or knew that off-the-clock work had occurred.  How does this … Continue Reading

Is telework a reasonable accommodation?

Ver la versión en español aquí. I contribute an Employment Law advice column to The Human Resources Association of Broward County newsletter.  A reader recently asked a question that I thought was important and I wanted to share. ASK JANET: If an organization does not allow telework for any of their employees, but an employee … Continue Reading

The 4-Day Workweek May Not Be A Pipe Dream After All…

Ver la versión en español aquí In our “Breaking Through the Noise” segment, my peers and I discussed our predictions for the future of the workforce (if you want to hear our thoughts, go to timestamp 1:57:54-2:16:49).  One of the trends we discussed was the potential shift to more flexible schedules, including the 4-day workweek. … Continue Reading

Nothing is Wrong with Remote Employees Buying Their Own Office Supplies – Right?

Ver la versión en español aquí Pre-COVID, employees could pop into the office supply closet for the ream of paper they needed to print that 50-page report, or the box of staples, pens and pack of tabs to refill their dwindling supply. Now, they may be buying office supplies as they work from home.  In … Continue Reading

5 Tips for Maximizing Productivity for Remote Employees

Ver la versión en español aquí The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the majority of businesses to at least offer, if not require, work-from-home options for employees. Employers are now facing many challenges that come with maintaining the same level of productivity when employees are working remotely. Below are a few guidelines to help ensure that … Continue Reading

An Ounce of Benefits is Worth a Pound of Pay

Ver la versión en español aquí The United States is currently nearing full employment with the unemployment rate under 4%. Such a hypercompetitive labor market calls for innovation and creativity in luring and retaining top talent. A new study that sheds light on how employees value benefits may help employers maximize the “bang for the … Continue Reading

Gambling at Work: Everybody Out of the (Office) Pool

With Super Bowl LIII this Sunday and March Madness fast approaching, it is important to consider the impact of office pools on the workplace. Office pools can build workplace morale and improve employee relationships, not to mention add a little fun to the typical workday. Yet they remain illegal in many states, including Florida.  In … Continue Reading

Performance Evaluations Are… Coming to Town?

Ver la versión en español aquí “He’s making a list and checking it twice. He’s going to find out who’s naughty or nice… performance evaluations are…” Coming to town? Indeed. The end of year is not only holiday season, but also the time of year when a number of employers complete performance evaluations of their employees. Just like … Continue Reading

Kiwis Will Have the Protection of Paid Domestic Violence Leave. What About Floridians?

Ver la versión en español aquí In April 2019, New Zealand employers will be required to provide victims of domestic violence 10 days of paid leave. The purpose of the paid leave is to allow domestic violence victims to relocate, seek legal help, and address their trauma without fear of losing their income. In Florida, … Continue Reading

Competing for Workers: Pay More? Or Pay More Frequently?

Ver la versión en español aquí Unemployment rates are at historic lows and the economy is booming! That’s good news for business, right? Yes…and no. While low unemployment creates more demand for the goods and services offered by companies, it also means that employers will have to compete for an ever-shrinking pool of workers. This … Continue Reading

Morale Makes Money: How Starbucks Raised the Bar(ista)… Again

Ver la versión en español aquí Last week, the CEO of Starbucks, Kevin Johnson, announced the ‘Partner and Family Sick Time’ benefits for all of Starbucks’ U.S. employees. Starbucks is giving employees a number of additional perks, including increased wages, stock grants, six-week paid parental leave for non-birth giving parents and five days of paid … Continue Reading

Florida Employees: The Good Stand Tall When Bad Things Happen

Ver la versión en español aquí Hurricane Irma! For Floridians, that’s all you need to say. My family and I fled from Category 4 Irma. According to our Governor, this was “a deadly storm” the likes of which “our state has never seen.” We drove from Miami to what we thought would be a relatively … Continue Reading

Email Restrictions: Good Idea but Don’t Hold Your Breath America

Ver la versión en español aquí Employers are always looking for ways to improve work-life balance for their employees. The objective, of course, is to reduce employee burnout and turnover, while increasing employee satisfaction, productivity and creativity. Some companies have gone the untraditional route, such as Daimler’s “Mail on Holiday program” which gives employees the … Continue Reading

Super Bowl 51: A Time to Review Attendance and Tardiness Policies

Ver la versión en español aquí The stage is set. Super Bowl 51 will arrive in less than two weeks.  But will your employees? In January 2016, the Workforce Institute conducted a survey to assess the impact of the Super Bowl on worker productivity the next day. According to the study, 77% of Americans planned … Continue Reading

It’s Easy Being Green in Florida: Corporations for the “Socially-Minded”

  Ver la versión en español aquí Many employees enjoy working for employers who “do good” in the world. Making money is important, but not always the sole mission of the employer. A large number of companies and their employees are involved in charities and volunteerism. However, a rising number of employers are making a profit … Continue Reading

Words Matter: Preparing for a Reduction in Force

Ver la versión en español aquí  A few weeks ago, four former Hewlett-Packard employees between the ages of 52 and 63 filed a class action lawsuit in California alleging that HP engaged in age discrimination, and terminated their employment, in connection with a paring-down and restructuring of its workforce. HP has denied the allegations of discrimination, … Continue Reading

You Want to Raise the Minimum Wage to WHAT?!?!

Ver la versión en español aquí A year ago, Gravity Payments CEO Dan Price announced plans to raise the salary of every employee to $70,000 by 2017, even entry level staffers.  In order to help offset the increased labor costs, Price announced his intention to lower his own salary from $1,000,000+ to $70,000 (he apparently … Continue Reading

Telecommuting: Perk or Problem?

Ver la versión en español aquí As we become increasingly more mobile, telecommuting programs are among the fastest growing benefit for employees. While the term “work from home” may trigger visions of a 24-year-old with a laptop at a Starbucks, the typical telecommuter is actually a 49-year old college graduate. Having an endless supply of … Continue Reading

“No Jerk” Workplace Policies Pay Off

Ver la versión en español aquí “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.”  (This quote is often associated with Phineas T. Barnum, the 19th century circus owner.)  Really?  Tell that to Amazon. Amazon, which recently surpassed Walmart as the most valuable retailer in the country, has been all over the news recently, but not entirely … Continue Reading

Time-Outs: Can the Strategy Typically Used for Children Also Benefit Your Employees?

Ver la versión en español aquí We have a time-out circle in my house, and from time to time, my preschool-age son visits the circle. Time-outs separate him from whatever undesirable behavior or activity he is engaged in – such as whining, arguing about brushing his teeth or throwing his toys – and give him … Continue Reading
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