HELP! My New Employee Just Brought Their Emotional Support Puppy to Work

by Laura L. Rubenstein | Jun 9, 2022 | Insights

What should you do when your new employee brings his 100-pound “emotional support” dog to work on his first day? Oh, and this without any mention during the interview that he’d have an untrained animal accompanying him all day on the shop floor.The Americans with...

Hiring White-Collar Workers – Setting Post-Pandemic Expectations

by Laura L. Rubenstein | Jun 9, 2023 | Business, Insights

During the pandemic, I remember driving by a Royal Farms convenience store and seeing a Help Wanted sign outside that said candidates would be hired on the spot and paid the same day. Many companies at that time were desperate for staff, and it was an employee’s...

Ensuring Certain Employees are Exempt Will Now Cost Employers an Extra $8,320

by Laura L. Rubenstein | May 31, 2024 | Business, Insights

Taking effect July 1, 2024 is the Federal Department of Labor’s increase in the minimum salary thresholds for executive, administrative and professional employees to qualify for the “exempt” classification. Remember that the individuals will still need to meet the...

Evolving Workplace Language: What You Should No Longer Say and Why

by Laura L. Rubenstein | Mar 6, 2025 | Insights

Hello and welcome to 2025! Today, language matters more than ever. Words hold power. While some phrases might seem harmless, their origins and implications can carry unintended consequences. Adopting more inclusive language shows respect for the diversity of...

Forget Work-From-Home, There’s a More Desirable Benefit in Town!

by Laura L. Rubenstein | Mar 6, 2025 | Insights

What’s more coveted than working from home, unlimited paid time off, or child care assistance? Insurance coverage for weight loss drugs. Drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro – recently approved by the FDA for weight loss – can cost around $900 per month without...