Dear Working Wise:

I have a problem employee. She is rude to my customers, she doesn’t follow the checklist of tasks that must be done every day, she plays the VLT machines instead of serving customers and she calls in sick a lot, but only on the weekends. Is this enough to fire her for “just cause” and not pay severance? Signed, Bothered Bar-owner

 

Dear Bothered:

 

Employees have the right to quit and employers have the right to terminate...


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Dear Working Wise:

What information can employers safely divulge about past employees if they get a call for a reference? I've heard different things about liability that have made me shy away from giving anything more than the most basic information. Signed, Afraid to Refer

 

Dear Afraid:

 

There are two separate issues regarding employee references. One concerns the privacy of the employee and the other is fear of litigation....


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Dear Working Wise:

One of the newer members of our office just asked me if I would be willing to be her mentor. I am flattered, but a little surprised, because I feel like I’m still learning and I’m not sure if I have anything to offer. I never had a mentor. What does a mentor do? Signed, Hesitant Mentor

 

Dear Hesitant Mentor:

 

Congratulations on being asked to be a mentor. You may not feel like it, but your...


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Dear Working Wise

I am working on a road-paving crew this summer. A couple of days have already been so hot that a few of us on my crew felt like we were going to pass out. What can I do to keep my cool this summer? Signed Overheated

 

Dear Overheated:

Summer has finally arrived and that means it’s time for workers and employers to start thinking about working safely in the heat.

 

Our bodies work best in a very narrow temperature range. Raising or lowering...


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