Mandatory furloughs have become a common way for companies to avoid layoffs. But here’s one thing those companies need to look out for:
How exempt employees use their computers while they’re forced to stay home.
Employers have to pay exempt employees for weeks in which they spend any time working — and that may include even small tasks, like checking and responding to e-mail and listening to voice messages.
To avoid getting stuck paying those employees, attorneys recommend having a strict policy against performing those tasks while home. Also, they suggest employers hold on to any BlackBerries, laptops and other devices issue to workers and have managers emphasize that they aren’t expected to check into the office while on leave.