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Ask Rita: How Do We Handle A Whistleblower?
Dear Rita: I have some concerns about a report I just received from one of the employees in our accounting department, which indicates that our Chief Financial Officer may be engaged in some “accounting tricks.” While not a CPA, the repor …
Ask Rita: How Do We Handle Harassment by an Outsider?
Dear Rita: Yesterday, our front office receptionist reported to me that one of our vendors—the person who stocks the vending machines in our break room—made several sexually charged comments to her, came very close to her face, and touched her hair. Cl …
Political Polarization & Nonprofits: How Can You Bridge the Divide?
Is the world more divided or does it just seem like it? Most importantly, how does political polarization impact your nonprofit? Research shows that the ideology of our country’s two major parties is further apart than it has ever been, and animosity b …
Ask Rita: Health Benefits for Employees on FMLA Leave?
Dear Rita; With our last series of hires, our growing nonprofit topped 50 staff and became a Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”)-covered employer. We think we know how to properly designate leave as FMLA and navigate the required procedures when an e …
Ask Rita: Is Terminating an At-Will Employee Risk-Free?
Dear Rita: We are considering terminating an employee who has been with us for two years, but we’re concerned we may be at risk if we do. She’s 50 years old and has a hearing disability. She is a nice person but while her performance is okay, she has n …
Ask Rita: The 2016 Federal Exempt Minimum Salary Rule—Gone, or on Pause?
Dear Rita: Several years ago, our nonprofit learned that the US Department of Labor issued a rule that greatly increased the required minimum salary for our exempt employees, which posed a big financial challenge for our small shop. As a result, we spe …
Tips for Surviving the Government Shutdown
The government shutdown is resulting in a severe funding shortfall for many nonprofits, both large and small, which is forcing many organizations to consider furloughs, decreased pay, and even layoffs. How can you determine your best and least painful …
Ask Rita: When Is Work Time Too Small To Count?
Dear Rita: I hear the devil is in the details, but I’m wondering just how mired in minutia our nonprofit needs to get. We operate a few thrift stores in different locations and all our employees record their time on a computerized payroll system. When …
Ask Rita: Employees Who Cross Jurisdictions: Which Law Applies?
Dear Rita: Our Northern California nonprofit provides job coaches to clients in the community. Our job coaches work in different cities during the course of a week and potentially in the same day. I know some of these cities have their own minimum wage …
Ask Rita: How Do I Prevent Sexual Harassment at My Nonprofit?
To Rita in HR: We’re a relatively new nonprofit that has taken note of the #metoo movement. This has increased our awareness, but has also led us to ask ourselves, “How do we prevent sexual harassment and assault from happening at our nonprofit, and ho …
