BOP Newsletter

2025

Working Interviews Versus Skills Assessments: Which Should You Do?

Consider the following scenarios:
A dentist was interested in hiring an applicant as a dental assistant and had her come in for a working interview. She filed successfully for workers’ compensation as an employee, alleging that during the day she fell off a chair and hurt her back.
An applicant came in for a working interview and was not hired. She filed for unemployment. The doctor was ruled to be her last employer and liable for the unemployment claim.

2025

Q & A

Q: Can I require a doctor’s note when employees are absent due to illness?

Q: I hired a new receptionist who started this past Monday. A week before her start date, I sent her all the onboarding forms including a W-4 and Form I-9. On her first day to work yesterday, she presented her driver’s license for List B of the Form I-9 but asked me if she could show me a copy of her social security card instead of the actual card since she lost it during a recent move. After a quick Google search, I let her know I’d need an actual document from List C of the Form I-9, since she also let me know that she does not own a passport.

Today was Day 2 for her, and she still tells me she does not have her social security card. I let her know that by law I am supposed to complete her I-9 within the first 3 days and asked her to bring an acceptable document from List C for tomorrow.

My question is–what do I do if she shows up to work tomorrow without an acceptable document from list C again tomorrow?

2025

Did You Know?

Did You Know that the Supreme Court in Washington State Recently Ruled Against Employers Restricting “Moonlighting” Employees?

The new law expands workplace protections in Section 112 of the Utah Antidiscrimination Act by prohibiting employers from making employees engage in “religiously objectionable expression” that the employee reasonably believes would burden or offend the “employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs.”

2025

Q & A

Q: Is a terminated employee eligible for unemployment benefits?

Q: May overtime be averaged out over two or more weeks?

2025

What’s New

Oregon: Enforcing Noncompetition Agreements Requires New Minimum Salary
Noncompetition agreements are generally enforceable in Oregon if:
The employee receives written notice that the noncompetition agreement is a condition of employment at least two weeks before employment starts OR the employee enters into the agreement upon a bona fide advancement;
The employee is a salaried exempt employee with an annual income higher than a minimum amount that is adjusted annually for inflation;
The employer has a protectable interest; and
The employer provides a signed, written copy of the noncompetition agreement within 30 days after the employee’s termination.

For the second bullet point above, according to the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries, in 2025, noncompetition agreements may be enforceable against employees who receive an annual gross income greater than $116,427.

2025

Navigating Wage & Hour Challenges During Inclement Weather or Natural Disasters

As inclement weather descends upon us, or other natural disasters occur, businesses face the critical decision of whether to suspend operations to safeguard employees. While prioritizing safety is essential, these disruptions bring wage & hour considerations into sharp focus. Our aim is to guide you through the complexities of handling wage & hour issues during unexpected closures and breakdown the legal obligations and practical strategies you can implement to manage such situations effectively.
We thought it would be a great time to remind everyone of some common issues during this (somewhat crazy) time of year, sort of an annual holiday refresher to keep everyone on the right track!

2024

What’s New

On November 15, 2024, U.S. District Judge Sean Jordan for the Eastern District of Texas granted summary judgment in Texas v. Department of Labor to the state of Texas and a group of more than a dozen business organizations, striking down the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) April 2024 rule to raise the minimum salary for the Fair Labor Standards Act’s executive, administrative, and professional employee overtime exemption.

2024

‘Tis the Season: Unwrapping HR During the Holidays

It’s that time of year again! The holidays are right around the corner, and businesses are gearing up for parties and events, and with that comes many questions and concerns. We are here for you!

We thought it would be a great time to remind everyone of some common issues during this (somewhat crazy) time of year, sort of an annual holiday refresher to keep everyone on the right track!

2024

Tidbits

Washington appellate court clarifies employer obligations when employees miss meal breaks

The case involved a class action of Virginia Mason Medical Center employees. The employees alleged that even though the hospital had mechanisms for employees to report when they worked through meal periods and receive pay for that time worked, employees were not adequately compensated for the loss of their right to take a meal period.

2024

What’s New

New Hampshire: employers’ right to regulate guns at work gets restricted
Currently, private employers can bar employees from storing guns in personal vehicles parked in the employer’s parking lots. They also can ban all firearms, permit firearms, or place conditions on possession of firearms on their property.

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BOP Newsletter

Working Interviews Versus Skills Assessments: Which Should You Do?

Q & A

Did You Know?

Q & A

What’s New

Navigating Wage & Hour Challenges During Inclement Weather or Natural Disasters

What’s New

‘Tis the Season: Unwrapping HR During the Holidays

Tidbits

What’s New

Let us answer your HR compliance questions.

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