Month: March 2009

Launching a Diversity Initiative? Ask These Five Questions

Just having a diversity program won’t instantly solve all your problems. “Diversity is not simply a means to an end, but rather, an ongoing journey that evolves over time,” says Jennifer Melton, an EEO/diversity management consultant for F&H Solutions Group, an affiliate of Ford & Harrison LLP. “The idea that the implementation of these initiatives […]

Religious Diversity Challenges Employers, EEOC

Several food-processing plants across the country have been in the news as they grapple with the requests of increasing numbers of Muslim workers seeking religious accommodations. Three disputes — all at meatpacking plants — centered on prayer breaks, especially important at Ramadan. During that month (which varies from year to year because it’s set on […]

Trucking Company Must Pay $2.4 Million for Discrimination

An interstate trucking firm has agreed to pay $2.4 million and provide other remedial relief to a class of women to settle a major sex discrimination lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). According to the EEOC, beginning in 1997, PittOhio Express, Inc., denied a class of qualified female applicants employment as truck […]

Despite Gains, Women’s Incomes Still Lag Behind Men’s

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently issued a report on women’s earnings in 2007. According to the report, women who were full-time wage and salary workers had median weekly earnings of $614, or about 80 percent of the $766 median for their male counterparts. That ratio has grown since 1979 (the first year for which […]

EEOC Guidance on Disciplining an Employee with a Disability

Have you ever tried to discipline an employee for workplace misconduct only to hear for the first time that his disability caused the misconduct? Did you then wonder how you should proceed? If that has ever happened to you, then the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) recent guidance, “The Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA]: Applying […]

OSHA Penalties for Personal Protective Equipment Violations Escalate

In these troubled economic times, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has hit upon a sure-fire way to increase government revenue without any extra work or change in procedures. If it wasn’t so ominous for employers, we might be tempted to applaud the agency’s ingenuity and audacity. Required federal and state workplace posters, including […]

That’s Not the Ticket

Litigation Value: $25,000 – $50,000 Michael was unusually evil in the Golden Ticket episode of The Office. Juries don’t like evil managers, so Dunder Mifflin is probably looking at another judgment, this time in the range of $25,000 – $50,000. Michael’s outrageous conduct in getting Dwight to fall on his sword (not literally this time) for […]

Keeping Your Eye on the Ball

Sorry for the sports cliché, but it fits. There are a lot of distractions in life — now more than ever.  The recession (I’m surprised someone hasn’t come up with a four letter word for it) has everyone distracted. Admit it, you come to work and you’re distracted. You log on to the Internet to […]

HR Managers Predict Problems if EFCA Passes

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), which would make it much easier for unions to organize, was introduced in the U.S. Senate on March 10, 2009, and President Obama has said he will sign it if it passes. The future of the bill is by no means certain, […]

FMLA Malingerers? Recertify, Recertify, Recertify

Yesterday’s Advisor offered “no grandparents” Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) tips from attorney Beverly Garofalo. Today, we give you more tips plus an introduction to BLR’s updated FMLA resource materials. What Can You Do About FMLA Malingerers? There are always malingerers, Garofalo says, employees who work the system. And just brace yourself, she says, […]