Month: July 2015

Increased Job Duties Fail to Support ADA, ADEA Charges

By Robert Teachout Changes in job duties and increased responsibilities that an employee claimed made his job “untenable” were not sufficient to be an adverse action under the ADA or the ADEA, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled. The court held that the increased duties did not constitute a material change in […]

California: It’s the Golden State … for Paid Sick Leave Mistakes!

“Welcome to the Republic of California,” says Allison West, Esq., SPHR, SHRM-SCP, “Or, as some like to say, the People’s Republic of California.” The Golden State is known for confounding many an HR professional with its uniquely labyrinthine employment law codes, and West shared her advice regarding developments in California legislation at the Society for […]

Catch-up 401(k) Contributions Didn’t Increase Savings Rate Much

The participants 50 or older who have taken advantage of contributing much more of their salary to 401(k) retirement plans through catch-up provisions already were among the highest savers — and so few workers overall are constrained by the annual IRS limits that catch-up contributions aren’t a solution for  low retirement savings rates. Those conclusions […]

Transgender Discrimination—When Does ‘He’ Become ‘She’

In yesterday’s Advisor, BLR® Legal Editor Jasmin Rojas, JD, took “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star “Caitlyn” (formerly Bruce) Jenner’s recent introduction of herself as a transwoman as a starting point for a discussion of transgender discrimination. In today’s Advisor, Rojas offers practical tips for employers. What’s in a Name? Remember, names and pronouns are […]

HI, I’m ‘Caitlyn’ (Yesterday, I Was Bruce)

Online recruiting sounds easy, but it’s also easy to spin your wheels. In today’s Advisor, expert Chris Peterson offers practical tips for defying the odds and getting great results. With all the things recruiters have to worry about, here’s another: how to treat transgender applicants. The situation is suddenly front and center after the star […]

Generational Differences at Work Abroad

Yesterday, we got some interesting insights from Jacque Vilet, president of international consulting firm Vilet International, on workplace compensation issues outside the United States. Today, her take on intergenerational differences at work—and some words of wisdom if you’re thinking about launching an overseas location.

How to Reduce Employee Absenteeism

Is absenteeism a problem in your workplace? It’s a tough problem to tackle, especially because employee absences can occur for so many varied reasons. Let’s take a look first at some of the laws that affect the way employers may handle employee absences, and then we’ll review a few tips on how to manage or […]

Expanded data security breach laws taking effect in Washington

by Joelle Hong and Amelia Morrow Gerlicher Washington’s expanded data security breach notification laws are set to take effect July 24, meaning employers must make sure they have safe and effective privacy practices in place and are ready to respond in the event of a security breach. Under the old law, businesses that own or […]