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What I’ve Been Reading This Week


Another week comes and goes and for many, the work from home arrangement remains a constant.  On that note, I came across a few articles this week which relate to that topic.  One deals with employers taking steps to sidestep potential wage and hour issues with employees working remotely.  Another addressed ideas on how to conduct remote job screening.  Turning to other topics, I highlight news from Home Depot and UPS, as it relates it to the workplace.  And of course, let us not forget an article which surmises what unions (and employers) might expect from a President Joe Biden administration.

As always, below are a couple articles that caught my eye this week


Employers: With Remote Work, Beware of Potential Wage & Hour Issues

The Wage & Hour Litigation Blog recently published an article in which it recognized that with many employees working remotely right now, potential wage & hour issues may arise.  For instance, some states mandate rest or meal breaks during a workday.  With some employees working remotely, that can make it tougher to ensure the mandated breaks are being taken.  As well, generally speaking, a non-exempt employee is entitled to the pay rate of the jurisdiction where the work is performed.  If an employee is working remotely in a different city or state with a higher wage rate, it is possible they would be entitled to that higher pay rate.  I refer readers to the rest of the article for a rather thought provoking analysis of the topic.


Home Depot to Put $1 Billion Toward Employee Pay

On the heels of Home Depot’s earnings report released earlier this week, the company announced it would spend $1 billion more and put it toward raising pay for its employees.  (Yes, $1 billion.)  As some readers might have heard, Home Depot has enjoyed a rather strong year (financially speaking) and has in turn decided to dramatically increase pay for many employees as a result.  Will other businesses follow suit?  Perhaps.  Although for the time being, this is a major development for a nationwide employer.


A President Joe Biden Administration: Expected Friend to the Unions

NBC News published an article on Sunday recognizing that after a rather tumultuous four years under President Donald Trump, many labor unions are expecting to fair much better under a President Joe Biden administration.  As the article points out, Biden has long been considered friendly toward labor unions and is viewed by many as being a catalyst to stopping a prolonged decline in union membership.  With Biden winning union households 56% to President Trump’s 40%, Biden enjoys the support of union workers that view him as one of their own.  The question will inevitably turn to exactly what Biden can do for unions.  I would expect him to appoint labor friendly Board Members to the National Labor Relations Board for starters.  As well, it would not surprise me to see him nominate labor friendly supporters to positions at the Labor Department in addition to signing executive orders increasing workplace safety measures.


UPS Changes Policy; Will Allow Bear & Natural Hairstyles

Late last week, HRDive noted that United Parcel Service (“UPS”) had decided to change its workplace policies and procedures to allow beards, facial hair, and natural hairstyles.  This decision came about following a petition by many employees requesting a change.  Let us also not forget that some states, such as New York, California, and Washington, have outlawed discrimination against workers on the basis of their natural hairstyle.  While the decision from UPS to change is workplace policies and procedures apparently did not have anything to do with a claim of discrimination, perhaps theses state laws spurred UPS toward a change?


Tips For Improving Remote Job Screening

Many employers and those in the HR field have at one point or another, over the past eight months, posted a job opening and conducted much of the job screening remotely.  In doing so, it an often prove more challenging than conducting the hiring process in person.  Andrew Greenberg recently wrote an article in which he identified five tips for importing remote job screening during the coronavirus pandemic.  Even if all of the tips are not applicable to each hiring situation, this is still a resource worth reviewing.

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