54. Serving and Working: USERRA Unpacked

In the final episode of our HR Compliance Series, hosts Chris Cooley and Emily Frederick, SHRM-CP, discuss four common mistakes that can put employers at risk: inconsistent employee treatment, ignoring workplace harassment, failing to document performance issues and improper termination procedures.   Timestamps: 00:19 – Why Consistency Matters in HR 03:05 – Inconsistent Treatment and Discrimination Risks 05:01 – The Financial Cost of Employee Complaints 09:27 – Understanding Workplace Harassment 12:28 – Reporting Procedures and Harassment Investigations 20:31 – Keeping Harassment Policies Current 23:02 – Why Documenting Employee Performance Matters 28:11 – At-Will Employment and Documentation 30:00 – Performance Improvement Plans and Written Warnings 33:27 – Establishing Proper Termination Procedures 34:43 – Final Paycheck Requirements 39:25 – The Consequences of Poorly Handled Layoffs

In Part Two of our "10 HR Mistakes" series, hosts Emily Frederick, SHRM-CP, and Chris Cooley break down three common employer mistakes that can lead to serious HR and compliance challenges: ignoring employee complaints, failing to properly train managers and rushing employees through incomplete onboarding.   Timestamps: 02:02 - The importance of addressing employee complaints quickly 05:58 - Creating effective complaint escalation processes 08:15 - Training managers on handling complaints and legal issues 11:38 - The critical role of manager training in employee retention 16:27 - Legal compliance training and resources for managers 22:09 - The significance of complete onboarding and training 27:22 - Impact of untrained employees on safety and costs 30:02 - Data security and phishing awareness in the workplace 33:14 - Enforcing proper onboarding and paperwork procedures 35:21 - Summary and closing remarks

In Part One of this HR compliance series, hosts Emily Frederick, SHRM-CP and Chris Cooley break down three out of 10 common HR mistakes that can create compliance challenges and put your business at risk. From employee classification, to outdated handbooks and skipping signed policy acknowledgements, discover key areas employers should review and best practices for building a stronger, more compliant HR strategy.   Timestamps: 02:02 - Risks of Misclassifying Employees and Contractors 03:04 - Legal Risks of Employee Misclassification 05:42 - Exempt vs Non-Exempt Employee Classifications 07:25 - State Salary Thresholds and Compliance 09:04 - Job Duties and Exemption Eligibility 10:54 - Case Study: FedEx and Class Action Lawsuit 12:10 - Real World Example: Retail 15:09 - Importance of Employee Handbooks and Policies 20:30 - Creating Accessible and Up-to-Date Handbooks 25:01 - Signed Acknowledgements and Legal Protection 28:20 - Case Study: Arbitration Policies and Employee Rights

In this episode of the MyHRBuzz Podcast, hosts Chris Cooley and Emily Frederick, SHRM-CP, break down the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and what employers need to know about supporting employees who serve in the military. We cover military leave, notice requirements, pay and benefits, reemployment rights, reasonable accommodations and more. This episode also breaks down real-world USERRA cases and why employers should carefully review how their leave policies apply to military service.   Timestamps: 2:00 - Introduction to USERRA 5:23 - USERRA Protections for Employees 8:30 - United Airlines USERRA Case 11:32 - USERRA Process and Providing Notice 16:12 - Military Leave, Pay & Benefits 20:53 - Returning to Work After Military Service 22:50 - When Reemployment May Not Apply 28:44 - Recommendations for Necessary Accommodations

Time rounding may seem straightforward, but getting it wrong can create costly compliance issues. In this episode of the MyHRBuzz Podcast, hosts Chris Cooley and Emily Frederick, SHRM-CP,  explore the rules surrounding time rounding and compensable time, helping employers understand when rounding is permissible and how to ensure employees are accurately paid for all time worked.   Timestamps: 4:20 - Understanding Time Rounding 10:00 - Legal Implications on Time Rounding 12:11 - Compensable Time Explained 16:07 - The Importance of Fair Practice in Payroll 22:16 - Case Studies on PPE and Compensable Time 24:35 - Diving Deeper into Compensable Time 30:04 - Travel Time and Its Compensability 36:01 - Hybrid Work and Commute Considerations 41:12 - Training and Meal Breaks    

In this episode of the MyHRBuzz podcast, host Chris Cooley is joined by Emily Frederick, SHRM-CP, Senior HR Consultant at MyHRConcierge, to discuss the key elements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and what employers need to understand to stay compliant. Together, they explore what the ADA is and who it protects, employer responsibilities under the law, examples of reasonable accommodations, how to navigate the interactive process and avoid undue hardship, the critical role documentation plays in ADA compliance and more!   Timestamps: 0:33 - Understanding the ADA 3:07 - Employer Responsibilities Under the ADA 5:58 - The Interactive Process for Accommodation 8:59 - Types of Accommodations and Their Importance 12:16 - Navigating Undue Hardship and Reasonable Accommodation 15:17 - Legal Implications of Non-Compliance 18:16 - Best Practices for Employers 21:16 - The Importance of Documentation 24:12 - Training and Awareness in the Workplace        

In this episode, we’re diving into the transformative world of artificial intelligence (AI) and what it means for today’s small business leaders and employers. Host Chris Cooley is joined by Executive Director and State CIO of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, Craig Orgeron, CPM, Ph.D. They break down how AI is evolving, and what business owners really need to know. From workforce development and ethical use to nuanced HR decisions and regulatory unknowns, this conversation explores the real opportunities and risks AI presents in the workplace. Whether you're leveraging AI for marketing, automation or HR support, this episode will help you better understand how to balance innovation with responsibility.   Timestamps: 0:53 - AI in Mississippi 3:22 - Workforce Development and AI Partnerships 6:04 - Use Cases and Small Business Applications of AI 9:17 - Data Privacy and Ethical Considerations 12:21 - AI's Impact on Marketing and Sales 14:56 - Regulatory Landscape and the Future of AI 18:19 - Challenges and Opportunities in AI Implementation 21:18 - The Future Outlook of AI

Are your benefit plan documents compliant with ERISA requirements? In this episode of the MyHRBuzz Podcast, host Chris Cooley sits down with Jay Rodney, CEO of RTO Benefits, to break down the essential documents employers need to stay compliant; from POP plans to WRAP documents and non-discrimination testing. They explore why so many businesses are unknowingly out of compliance and the penalties that can result. This episode offers practical guidance on how to meet your obligations and avoid costly mistakes!   Timestamps: 1:20 - Common Compliance Gaps & Penalties 4:45 - Required Documents & Non-Discrimination Testing 8:20 - Document Content, Timing & Updates 11:15 - Distributing SPDs  13:25 - Which Plans Need Documentation? 14:45 - WRAP Documents & Form 5500 Simplification 18:00 - Filing/Audit Preparation 20:50 - Where to Find ERISA Compliance Support

In this episode of the MyHRBuzz Podcast, we dive into the often-overlooked but critical skill of handling employee venting. Discover how HR professionals and managers can respond with empathy while protecting the organization from compliance risks. Host Chris Cooley and MyHRConcierge Sr HR Consultant, Emily Frederick, SHRM-CP, discuss strategies for active listening, setting healthy boundaries, mitigating burnout and fostering a culture of open communication. Plus, learn how proper documentation and follow-up can turn emotional moments into positive outcomes for both employees and the business.   Timestamps: 02:51 - Understanding the Importance of Active Listening 06:01 - Identifying Compliance Issues 09:02 - The Role of HR in Employee Relations 12:11 - Effective Communication and Documentation 14:59 - Creating a Culture of Open Communication 18:05 - Setting Boundaries for HR Professionals 20:59 - Mitigating Stress and Burnout in HR

Explore the unique challenges solo HR professionals face in this episode of the MyHRBuzz podcast. Host Chris Cooley and MyHRConcierge Principal and Co-Founder, John Yerger, SHRM-SCP, discuss actionable strategies to help HR teams of one manage it all, from recruitment and compliance, to employee retention and burnout prevention. Whether you're an HR team of one or supporting small business HR functions, you'll gain valuable insights to streamline your workload and improve your impact.   Timestamps: 2:56 - Understanding the HR Department of One 5:52 - Key Challenges Faced by HR Departments 8:55 - Effective Hiring and Retention Strategies 11:58 - Building a Strong Company Culture 15:03 - Navigating Compliance in HR 17:48 - The Importance of Employee Handbooks 20:46 - Enhancing Efficiency through Automation 23:52 - Leveraging Resources for HR Success 26:50 - Employee Retention Strategies