Yearly Archives: 2020

When is “Harassment” NOT Harassment?

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Understanding the definitions of a Hostile Work Environment and Workplace Harassment HARASSMENT means different things in different settings to different people. People will often say they’re being harassed when they’re actually being pestered or bothered. At work, harassment has a specific legal meaning. It is recommended that those in the workplace, especially supervisors, reserve the word “harassment” for conduct that meets the specific legal definition. Here’s the definition:  Unwelcome conduct + bad behavior based on […]

Ask HR: Sexual Harassment Complaint

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Dear HR, We just received our first possible sexual harassment complaint. One of our female dockworkers was loading some inventory when a male employee came up and offered to help.  She declined the help, instead suggesting another co-worker (who is male) was struggling with his load and could use some help. The “helpful” employee grabbed the back of her neck, pulled her towards himself, and made direct eye contact with her while still smiling directly […]

BOLI Earned Income Tax Credit

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Download resources Earned Income Tax Credit Notice must be provided with employee’s federal W-2 by regular or electronic mail, by hand-delivery, or in the same electronic manner that the employer provides the employee’s federal form W-2. Learn more …

Expanded Pregnancy-Related Accommodations

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Beginning January 1, 2020, Oregon employers with six or more employees must provide pregnant job seekers and employees with reasonable accommodations for a wider array of pregnancy related medical conditions. Under this new law, employers must provide reasonable accommodations for any known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, or related medical conditions. Some common accommodations include: Equipment or worksite modifications More frequent or longer breaks Assistance with manual labor Work schedule or job duty adjustments […]

W-4 Form Changes: Goodbye Exemptions

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The 2020 Form W-4 is very different from previous versions. This is due to the federal tax law changes that took place in 2018. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is not requiring all employees to complete the revised form and has designed the withholding tables so that they will work with both the new and prior year forms. Employees required to use the new form: Those hired in 2020 Anyone who makes withholding changes during […]