TIT FOR TAT? WORKER’S REFUSAL TO COVER TATTOO COSTS HIM HIS JOB QUESTION: I work at a large retailer. Several weeks ago, I got a tattoo of the Virgin of Guadeloupe on my forearm. She is the patron saint of Mexico; I wanted
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EMPLOYERS MUST VERIFY AN EMPLOYEE’S LEGAL RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES QUESTION: I think one of my employees might be an undocumented alien. The papers he provided when he was hired looked OK, but his lack of English and knowledge of
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EMPLOYER’S DISCRIMINATORY APPEARANCE CODE MAKES WORKER’S HAIR STAND ON END QUESTION: Our company recently announced a new “Appearance Code,” which not only limits what people can wear, but how we style our hair. Men are forbidden to wear their hair in any
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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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GRIPING LEADS TO LAY-OFF QUESTION: Until recently, I worked at a large company. The building had an office inside a large warehouse area in which vehicles were often tested. Sometimes I could smell the fumes from the vehicles, but it didn’t bother
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TEXAS JUDGE PUTS HOLD ON IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR SALARIED WORKERS: WHAT HAPPENS NOW? On November 22, 2016, just nine days before a Department of Labor rule requiring employers to pay salaried workers at least $47,476 a year went into effect,
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QUESTION: A guy I work with is a big supporter of Donald Trump. He talks about his political views, in a loud voice, in the common lunch room – blaming immigrants for a lot of the crime in America, saying special rules
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HOW DO I FILE A CLAIM WITH THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION? QUESTION: I work installing carpet in people’s houses. Last week, I was laid off. They said it was because there isn’t enough work, but there seems to be a ton
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This week’s question: MISCLASSIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS? QUESTION: I own a small company that does projects on contract. The projects last from six months to a couple of years. I hire people as “independent contractors” on these projects. They
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