Monthly Archives: November 2015


Ask HR: Angry spouse is making demands. What to do?

Dear HR, An employee has had a death in their family, however rather than the employee communicating directly – their spouse has informed us that we need to give said employee time off work and pick up work property at their home in order to relieve the employee of “on call” duties. Although we accommodated the request – we have had previous conversations with the spouse about inserting themselves into employee’s work business and that […]


Ask HR: Cell phone & internet use on work time.

Dear HR, I would like to address the issue of employees using cell phones and internet on work time. Do you have any suggestions on rules or verbiage to include?   Answer: We would advise adding cell phone and internet use policies and expectations to your employee handbook including outlining: Electronic Assets Usage – with specific guidelines on appropriate work related internet and email use Social Media – outlining how and when your brand should […]


Ask HR: Terminated with loan balanced owed. Can I collect?

Dear HR, I recently terminated an employee. I personally loaned the employee $500, of which $300 is still owed. Can I deduct the balance owed from the final paycheck? Answer: An Employer may make a deduction from a final paycheck for a cash loan to an employee ONLY IF the employee has voluntarily signed a loan agreement, and the loan was for the employee’s sole benefit. The deduction may not exceed 25{0c2d428c3cefef4a77c472786cabf3d957ca1c1fde265c02f19cd1ec2d7db907} of the employee’s disposable […]