BLUNT ADVICE TO WORKER: DITCH THE WEED; EMPLOYER’S POLICY IS ‘NO TOKE’.’ QUESTION: After a minor accident at work, one of my co-workers had to take a drug test – it’s company policy whenever there’s an accident. He tested positive for marijuana,
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DOGGING IT? WORKER CLAIMS PET RETRIEVER IS NEEDED AT WORK FOR ‘EMOTIONAL SUPPORT.’ QUESTION: I’m a manager at an engineering firm. Recently, one of our employees showed up at work with his dog, Samson, a large golden retriever, claiming the dog is
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JOINTLY LIABLE? DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROPOSES NEW ‘JOINT EMPLOYER’ TEST QUESTION: I am a manager at a business that regularly hires workers through a staffing agency to work on projects, alongside our direct employees. One of the staffing agency workers recently sued
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SEPARATION ANXIETY KEEPS NEW MOM AT HOME – WAS BOSS RIGHT TO FIRE HER? QUESTION: When my baby was born last year, I took 12 weeks of leave to bond with her. When it was time to return to work, I found
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LOW-LEVEL MANAGERS MAY GET SALARY BUMP UNDER DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROPOSAL QUESTION: Back in 2016, before the presidential election, I read a lot about a higher minimum salary for managers. Then nothing happened. Last year I increased the salary I pay the
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10-HOUR DAY? TOO BAD! NO OVERTIME PAY REQUIRED QUESTION: A few weeks ago I took a Monday off as a paid personal day, and then worked four ten-hour days to make up for the work I had missed. I thought I’d get
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CAN I COLLECT UNEMPLOYMENT WHEN I HAVE RETIREMENT AND PENSION INCOME? QUESTION: I retired from teaching three years ago, and found a job in an investment firm. Recently the firm downsized, and I was laid off. I am receiving a pension from
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CAN EMPLOYER ASK ABOUT CRIMINAL CONVICTION? QUESTION: I heard that Gov. Snyder signed a “ban the box” law last year, forbidding employers from asking job applicants about their criminal history. Does this mean I won’t be able to know if the candidate
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“LOVE CONTRACTS” PUBLICIZE YOUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK – AND RAISE MANY QUESTIONS By Daniel A. Gwinn, GWINN LEGAL PLLC QUESTION: I manage a small bistro. I recently started dating one of our servers. It’s going really well, but the owner told
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‘MASSAGING’ RESUME COSTS WORKER HIS JOB – AND MAYBE $100K TOO! QUESTION: Over a decade ago, when I applied at the company I now work for, I exaggerated my educational background a little bit. I have an associate degree in business; I
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