Student Name
Capella University
BUS-FPX4044 Legal Issues in Human Resource Management
Prof. Name:
Date
Understanding the core requirements of job roles is vital for businesses to implement effective hiring practices, establish competitive compensation systems, and evaluate employee performance efficiently. This process ensures operational success and sustainability. Job analysis, a comprehensive process detailing a position’s duties, compensation, and work environment, is an indispensable tool in achieving this objective. Although often associated with pre-employment, job analysis for existing roles supports professional development and enhances employee success (What Is Job Analysis? An Introduction [Updated for 2021], 2021).
Classifying employees is crucial for understanding Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) exemptions and determining benefits eligibility (7 Employee Classification Types and How They Compare, n.d.). Below is an overview of the main employee categories:
Employee Type | Description | Benefits and Challenges |
---|---|---|
Full-time Employees | Typically work 40 hours per week with fixed pay and access to benefits. | Offer stability and productivity but may increase overhead costs. |
Part-time Employees | Work less than 30 hours per week, providing flexibility for varied needs such as students or retirees. | Reduced costs but may limit employee loyalty or availability during peak periods. |
Contract Employees | Hired for specific durations with renewable contracts. | Help meet temporary demands but may lack long-term engagement. |
Independent Contractors | Similar to contract employees but with more autonomy and excluded from payroll. | Offer cost efficiency but present legal liabilities and reduced managerial control. |
Temporary Employees | Employed for short-term needs, such as seasonal work or covering absences. | Quick solutions for temporary roles but require frequent training. |
On-call Workers | Available during designated hours without guaranteed active duties. | Provide availability flexibility but may reduce predictability in staffing. |
Volunteers | Serve without compensation, typically in sectors like healthcare and education. | Help manage costs in nonprofit settings but may have limited availability or commitment. |
At Sweet Delights Bakery, administrative assistants and customer service representatives are essential roles. Administrative assistants ensure smooth daily operations through strong organizational skills, confidentiality, and communication. Meanwhile, customer service representatives handle client interactions, addressing inquiries and concerns. Both roles are full-time and come with competitive compensation packages (TopResume Editor, 2016; Workable, 2013).
Modern workplaces must prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), incorporating differences in race, ethnicity, gender, age, and more. Harassment, a form of employment discrimination, undermines a healthy work environment and violates anti-discrimination laws. Organizations must enforce proactive measures to ensure a respectful workplace culture (Cooper, C., 2023; U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, n.d.).
Employees are legally shielded from discrimination based on protected factors, including race, religion, age, sex, disability, and genetic information. These protections extend to applicants, current employees, and even former employees (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, n.d.).
Employers must use impartial hiring practices, focusing on clear job descriptions and fair recruitment strategies. Pre-employment screening services reduce risks such as negligent hires or false credentials (5 Recruitment Risks & How to Mitigate Them | ShareAble for Hires, 2020).
Employment Law Impact
Employment laws regulate workplace standards, including safety, benefits, confidentiality, and anti-discrimination. Failure to comply with these laws can result in significant legal and financial penalties for businesses.
Minimizing liability exposure involves structured business practices, obtaining insurance coverage, and thorough documentation. Liability insurance safeguards against potential legal claims, although state-specific requirements may vary (Choma, A. A., 2008).
Choma, A. A. (2008). How to reduce risks in contractors’ management. Paper presented at PMI® Global Congress 2008—North America, Denver, CO. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.
Discrimination Liability Definition. (n.d.). Law Insider. Retrieved October 27, 2023, from https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/discrimination-liability
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (n.d.). 3. Who is protected from employment discrimination? | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/employers/small-business/3-who-protected-employment-discrimination
Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices. (n.d.). US EEOC. https://www.eeoc.gov/prohibitedemployment-policiespractices#:~:text=The%20laws%20enforced%20by%20EEOC%20prohibit%20an%20employer
TopResume Editor. (2016, November 2). Administrative Assistant Job Description | Job Description Examples. TopResume. https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/administrative-assistant-jobdescription
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (n.d.). Harassment. Www.eeoc.gov. https://www.eeoc.gov/harassment
What Is Job Analysis? An Introduction [Updated for 2021]. (2021, January 6). Indeed.com. https://www.indeed.com/hire/c/info/what-is-job-analysis
5 Recruitment Risks & How to Mitigate Them | ShareAble for Hires. (2020). Shareable.com. https://hires.shareable.com/blog/mitigate-recruitment-risk-with-employment-screening
Workable. (2013, July 11). Customer Service Representative job description template | Workable. Recruiting Resources: How to Recruit and Hire Better. https://resources.workable.com/customerservice-representative-job-description
Post Categories
Tags