Carrie Mason-Draffen

Law permits boss to ask about worker's illness

June 24, 2009

DEAR CARRIE: I am a school district food-service worker, and we received a notice from our supervisor that I think represents an invasion of privacy. Here is what it says:

    Recent columns

  • Law permits boss to ask about worker's illness

    June 23, 2009

    Dear Carrie: I am a school district food-service worker, and we received a notice from our supervisor that I think represents an invasion of privacy. Here is what it says:

  • In some cases, you can resign and get jobless pay

    June 16, 2009

    From time to time Help Wanted focuses on a single topic. In this column, the subject is unemployment benefits.

  • Temp layoff may qualify worker for jobless benefits

    June 16, 2009

    DEAR CARRIE: I work for a dentist. He plans to close the office for five to seven weeks to have shoulder surgery. Can I collect unemployment benefits during that time?

  • COBRA subsidy isn't for everyone

    June 10, 2009

    A COBRA question two weeks ago drew more queries. So here's more on health insurance through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act:

  • Temp layoff may qualify worker for jobless benefits

    June 9, 2009

    DEAR CARRIE: I work for a dentist. He plans to close the office for five to seven weeks to have shoulder surgery. Can I collect unemployment benefits during that time?

  • Temp layoff may qualify worker for jobless benefits

    June 2, 2009

    Dear Carrie: I work for a dentist. He plans to close the office for five to seven weeks to have shoulder surgery. Can I collect unemployment benefits during that time?

  • Paying for COBRA insurance after landing a new job

    May 26, 2009

    DEAR CARRIE: I have been receiving COBRA health insurance since I lost my job four months ago. Even though I am working again, I am still paying for the benefit because my new insurance won't take effect until next month. Do I qualify for the 65 percent COBRA reduction provided under President Barack Obama's stimulus package both retroactively and going forward?

  • Employees don't have much power over personnel files

    May 19, 2009

    Dear Carrie: We received a memo from a new boss requesting that we complete a new employment eligibility-verification form. She claims she does not have a complete file of the I-9 forms showing that we are citizens or authorized to work in the United States.

  • Boss can demand cell phone stays on 24/7

    May 13, 2009

    Dear Carrie: I am on the road a lot. My employer gave me a cell phone to carry on the job and after hours. But once I leave for the day, I turn the thing off so the company can't track me down. Now my employer has informed me the cell has to be on 24/7. I work a 9-to-5 job, and I don't want to be bothered at all hours of the day. What are my rights?

  • Working on Sunday and employees' religious rights

    May 6, 2009

    Dear Carrie: I'm a devout Christian, who considers Sunday my Sabbath and a day of rest. For 20 years, it wasn't an issue at work because my company scheduled me to work Monday through Friday. Recently, though, my manager changed my schedule so I now have to work on Sundays, the only day my church holds services. Forcing me to work that day infringes on my ability to practice my religion. I have requested an accommodation but have been denied. Even though I rank third in seniority in the department, I thought the company would honor my request because it involved my religion. Do I have any rights?

  • Deducting back taxes that were omitted

    April 28, 2009

    Dear Carrie: Our company messed up and did not take out taxes from an employee's check in 2008. The paychecks always came sealed from the payroll company, so we as the employer did not notice the mistake. The employee must have known but kept her mouth shut. In early 2009. After W2s were given out, she told us, and we scrambled to correct hers. We have paid the $1,350 in taxes that should have been deducted from her checks. And she agreed to allow us to deduct certain amounts from her paycheck every week. Now the employee is quitting and won't sign a promissory note. Can I hold back her last paycheck and apply that money toward what she owes us?

  • Interviewer's personal questions are illegal

    April 22, 2009

    Dear Carrie: I recently went on an interview at a franchise company. The interviewer asked me a few uncomfortable questions, and I am wondering whether they are legal. The first was about my age. The second concerned questions about my family and home life. I've been on a lot of interviews, and I have never faced those kinds of questions before. Are they allowed on interviews? I answered them because I was caught off guard and because I need a job. By the way, I did not get the job, and that makes me wonder about the interviewer even more.

  • Company disputes unemployment benefits for fired worker

    April 14, 2009

    Dear Carrie: I run a business with fewer than 10 employees. We hired an employee but fired her three weeks and two days later for disorderly conduct and failure to follow instructions. I thought I was done with her until I received information from the state Labor Department showing the business would be charged for her unemployment benefits. I disputed the claim but was told she was entitled to benefits chargeable to my company because she had obtained the credits needed after working for us.

  • Contract can determine if boss owes bonuses

    April 14, 2009

    DEAR CARRIE: I am a nonunion employee at a midsize private company. Our compensation package calls for annual merit increases after employees meet or exceed goals established at the beginning of the year. Even though many employees met or surpassed their 2008 goals, the company and the board recently decided to withdraw the bonuses. They were payable this year. Can an employer withhold a pay increase already earned? Assuming the company doesn't relent, do employees have any recourse?

Carrie Mason-Draffen

Carrie Mason-Draffen