Month: April 2010

FLSA Recordkeeping, FMLA Rule Revisions Planned for Later This Year

This morning the Department of Labor (DOL) hosted its final two agency agenda web chat sessions, beginning with an hour-long segment hosted by the Wage and Hour Division (WHD). Deputy Administrator Nancy Leppink fielded questions and provided insight toward the Division’s current regulatory initiatives. The agenda priorities for the Division in the Spring agenda include […]

Michigan Indoor-Smoking Ban Takes Effect Saturday

Effective May 1, 2010, smoking will be prohibited in most Michigan workplaces, restaurants, and bars. The law, known as the “Dr. Ron Davis Law,” was signed by Governor Jennifer Granholm on December 18, 2009, and bans smoking indoors in Michigan “public places.” Under the law, “public places” are defined to include most places of employment, […]

FMLA Was My Favorite (When I Was a Plaintiffs’ Lawyer)

“FMLA was one of my favorite statutes when I was a plaintiffs’ lawyer,” says Attorney Tam Yelling. The law had a great intent, she adds, but it confuses employers. Yelling says that understanding the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is simple: Two sentences sum up what employers need to do. Of course, Yelling has […]

Shocking Arbitration Decision in Ontario

By Donna Gallant The latest price tag for terminating an employee based on inadequate investigation and preconceived notions of guilt is $500,000. In a searing decision, an Ontario arbitrator found that the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) failed to take reasonable steps to ascertain the truth about an employee’s medical condition before it fired her […]

OFCCP Reveals Glimpses of Enforcement Plans Targeting Federal Contractors

Early Tuesday morning, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) resumed its ongoing series of agency Web chats with a brief session hosted by Patricia Shiu, the director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). The OFCCP enforces the civil rights of both federal contractor employees as well as applicants for federal contractor jobs. […]

Happy Headhunting for Employers

By Gulu Punia Successful headhunting can add significant value. But employers must be careful that they don’t become the hunted. As with any hunt, there are risks that may not be obvious. In the employment context, a Canadian employer may be on the hook for extended severance or risk an action from the previous employer […]

Social Media Hassles? 10 Proactive Steps

Yesterday’s Advisor featured Attorney Cynthia L. Gibson’s “You Can’t Unring the Bell” on social media. Today, we have her 10 best tips for employers trying to structure a policy and an introduction to a timesaving collection of prewritten personnel policies. Gibson is senior vice president, Legal, at Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. She offered her suggestions […]

Federal Agencies Host Web Chats to Discuss Spring Regulatory Agendas

Throughout this week, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will host a series of live Web chats to discuss the regulatory agendas of the various federal agencies. The chats, which will run through Wednesday, will include details of the proposed regulatory activities of the Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration […]

Hot List: Bestselling “Management and Leadership” Books on Amazon.com

Amazon.com updates its list of the bestselling books every hour. Here is a snapshot of what is hot right now, this Monday morning, May 26, in the “Management and Leadership” section of the “Business and Investing” category. 1. Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson. Fried and Hansson argue that plans are actually harmful, […]

Social Media—You Can’t Unring the Bell

“Social media networks and blogs are now the fourth most popular online activity, ahead of personal e-mail,” says Attorney Cynthia L. Gibson. And they are getting more popular with HR for background checks. Unfortunately, she says, once you turn up information you don’t want, “you can’t unring the bell.” Gibson is senior vice president, Legal, […]