HR director flags Fair Labor Standards issues, outlines hiring and training push

Doctor William Bridal, director of human resources for Taos Municipal Schools, briefed the board on lessons from the Rocky Mountain Public Employee Labor Relations Association conference and on district staffing and training work during the Aug. 6 meeting. Bridal told the board that improved workplace communication supports retention and cited four generations in the workforce, urging deliberate communication strategies. He warned that miscommunication “costs a lot of money,” increases turnover and recommended pause-and-respond techniques for tense interactions. On legal compliance, Bridal emphasized employer responsibility under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). He told the board employers must pay employees for all work performed, including unapproved overtime if the employer knew or should have known about the work. Bridal said misclassifying employees or permitting creative pay arrangements below statutory minimums can bring financial penalties and attorney fees. He recommended careful timekeeping and accounting for dual roles: hourly employees who perform multiple duties should clock in and out for each role so time is charged to the correct account. He also described FLSA rules for paid training and conditions under which training must be paid. Bridal reported recruitment and onboarding updates: the district held an onboarding session attended by about 50 employees who joined since last year; he said the vacancy list has already decreased in the 24 hours prior to the meeting. Bridal outlined plans for mandatory and optional trainings. Staff will receive online modules (including a vectors module) and some in-person sessions; the district will track completion in a spreadsheet and give until Sept. 30 for some modules before escalating noncompliance. Board members asked that the district notify the board about optional training topics so trustees can suggest community priorities. Bridal said he would provide follow-up data on vacancies and training implementation on request.