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Welcome to 2024! As you gear up for a new year of work, make knowing your employment rights a top priority. Why? Your rights impact everything from your paychecks to your dignity in the office. Yet countless employees remain unaware of the protections legally guaranteed to them. Don't stay in the...

You devote your days to caring for your family - now make sure your legacy cares for their days ahead too. Planning for your eventual passing may feel somber, but organization brings peace of mind. Protecting your loved ones future means getting vital documents in order while you can. Follow t...

Your career is a journey that involves continuous growth and achievement. As you progress, you accumulate many important documents that track your professional advancement. Failing to organize these records can cause setbacks when you need to provide proof of certifications, achievements, tax doc...

It's one thing to set ambitious SMART career goals that span months or years aimed at landing your dream job. But what about effectively balancing the demands of work and life each day? Applying the SMART framework to your daily intentions can be surprisingly powerful for creating more work-life ...

If your professional life seems like it's been stuck in neutral for months—or even years—it may be time to craft some SMART goals to steer your career in a better direction. The beginning of a new year is the perfect opportunity to start fresh and make meaningful progress toward advancement and s...

When up-and-comer sales VP Tomas finally landed his promotion to Regional Director, he could practically taste the corner office. In his excitement, he scrawled his signature on the dotted line of HR's dense 20-page non-compete contract without much glance at the fine print. But two years later w...

Non-competes don't have to be exclusionary straight jackets if negotiated properly. Before signing a restrictive covenant with a new employer, have a solutions-oriented dialogue about customizing terms. Frame it as ensuring the agreement allows both parties to achieve our mutual goals. Float r...

As you weigh job offers requiring new non-compete agreements, it pays to read the fine print. While aspects vary based on your state laws, these restrictive employment contracts contain common catches that can severely limit your career latitude down the road in unexpected ways if you are not car...

Many industries require certain employees to sign non-compete agreements as a condition of their employment. But what exactly are non-competes and when are they commonly used? A non-compete is a contractual clause preventing employees from working for competitor companies or starting rival busin...

When Alice got a new job offer from a competitor that came with a sizable pay increase, she was thrilled - until the HR manager slid the non-compete agreement across the table. "Basically, this just says you won't share any confidential information or trade secrets you learned here after you l...

If you've ever taken a new job, you may have been presented with a non-compete agreement along with all the other hiring paperwork. But what exactly are non-competes and when can they actually be enforced if you decide to leave your company? What Are Non-Compete Agreements? A non-compete agreem...

Uh oh, looks like your boss isn't too happy about that sexual harassment complaint you filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Now they're making your life miserable by cutting your hours, giving you extra work, or generally treating you worse than other employees. That's c...

Dealing with workplace discrimination can be extremely frustrating. However, filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) can be an effective way to address discriminatory treatment. The EEOC is authorized to investigate claims of discrimination based on race, color...

You just started a new job that seemed perfect - until your supervisor started making inappropriate comments about your appearance. Or your employer suddenly cut your hours after telling them you're pregnant. Maybe you even overheard a colleague making discriminatory remarks about another employe...

Uh oh, looks like your paycheck is lighter than it should be! Getting shorted on rightfully earned wages is called wage theft, friends. And it's unfair and illegal under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Don't let employers pick your pocket! Here's how to reclaim owed pay: Track Your Time C...

Feeling isolated and snowed in at work? We feel your cabin fever. Taking proper meal and rest breaks can seem impossible when you're busy caretaking an empty hotel all alone. But as an hourly employee, breaks are your right under the Fair Labor Standards Act! Here's what the FLSA says your emplo...

So you've been hired as an "independent contractor" but you're wondering if you should really be classified as an employee instead. What's the big deal? Well, your worker classification determines whether you're protected by important labor laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). And emplo...

Pumping at Work: Know Your Legal Rights as a Breastfeeding Mom Hey supermoms! When you clock in for a shift, sometimes you've also gotta clock out for milk. Pumping breast milk at work is just a normal part of continuing breastfeeding after returning from maternity leave. But did you know there ...

Hey! Have you started your first job yet? Congrats! Earning your own money can be exciting. But before you race out to make that paper, it's important to know the laws that protect underage workers like you. That's where the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) comes in. The FLSA sets rules about how...

Your pet is part of the family. So when your furry friend has an emergency, you want to be there to provide comfort and care. If Fluffy or Fido ends up at the animal hospital, your natural instinct is to drop everything at work and rush to their side. But can you really take time off without jeop...

You promised your elderly parents you'd always be there for them. So when your mom fell ill, you didn't hesitate to take time off work to drive her to doctor appointments and care for her needs. But now your boss is unhappy about your absences, and you're worried your job could be on the line. Tr...

Life gets stressful sometimes. Between work deadlines, financial worries, relationship issues, and countless other pressures, you can easily become emotionally drained. When burnout hits, nothing recharges your batteries better than taking a mental health day to prioritize self-care. But if your ...

Living with a chronic illness presents daily challenges most people can't imagine. Between doctor appointments, medical procedures, pain management, and flare-ups, you already have your hands full. Adding concerns about job security and income loss only makes matters worse. But there is hope - th...

You did it! After months of weird cravings, swollen feet, and sleepless nights, your new bundle of joy has arrived. Though it's been a long road, you're thrilled to finally meet your little one. But before you know it, maternity leave is over and it's time to return to work. You show up excited t...

It starts with chills, body aches, and fever. Before you know it, you're down for the count with the dreaded flu. All you want to do is curl up under the covers and sleep it off. But can you really afford to miss work when you're not feeling well? This flu season, don't let lost wages make you ev...