Aging with Intention

Life doesn't stop because you're employed. There may come a time when you need time away from work because of a serious illness, the birth of a child, a family emergency, or the responsibility of caring for a loved one. Many employees worry that taking time off for these reasons could cost them their job. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was created to help protect employees during some of life's most significant events. While it does not apply to every employee or eve

Everyone deserves to work in an environment where they are treated with dignity and respect. While disagreements, personality conflicts, and difficult coworkers are an unfortunate part of many workplaces, not every unpleasant interaction is considered harassment or discrimination under the law. Understanding the difference between workplace conflict and unlawful conduct is important. It allows employees to recognize when a situation is simply part of managing different person

Many employees view Human Resources (HR) as either the solution to every workplace problem or a department that should never be trusted. The truth is somewhere in the middle. HR plays an important role in nearly every organization, but understanding what HR is responsible for—and what it is not—can save you time, frustration, and unrealistic expectations. One of the most common misconceptions is that Human Resources exists to represent employees. While HR certainly assists em

One of the most misunderstood concepts in the American workplace is at-will employment. Many employees have heard the phrase but are unsure what it actually means, leading to misconceptions about their rights and their employer's authority. A common belief is that an employer can fire an employee "for any reason." While there is some truth to that statement, it is not entirely accurate. At-will employment gives both the employer and the employee flexibility in ending the empl

When people hear the term wage theft, they often think of an employer refusing to issue a paycheck. While that certainly happens, wage theft is much broader than simply not being paid. Wage theft occurs whenever an employee is not paid the wages they have legally earned. Sometimes it is the result of an honest payroll mistake. Other times, it stems from poor management, misunderstandings of labor laws, or intentional practices that save a company money at the employee's expen

For many employees, overtime seems straightforward: work more than 40 hours in a week, get paid extra. In reality, overtime laws are far more complicated. Whether you qualify for overtime depends on several factors, including your job duties, how you are paid, and the federal and state laws that apply where you work. Because of this, many employees mistakenly assume they are either entitled to overtime when they are not, or that they are not entitled to overtime when they act

Starting a new job can bring many challenges, especially when you have a circumstance that affects how you complete your work. Maybe you need a modified schedule because of a medical appointment. Maybe a physical limitation affects how you perform certain tasks. Maybe a condition makes certain workplace environments more difficult to navigate. Many employees hesitate to ask for accommodations because they worry they will be viewed differently, treated unfairly, or considered