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Where’s the Line Between Harassing and Not Harassing?

Yesterday’s Advisor gave tips for preventing harassment. But there’s always the lingering question, What’s harassment and what isn’t? In many cases of harassment, the question is where the line lies between permitted and forbidden actions. In fact, the law maintains that harassment is really defined by the victim—it doesn’t matter what the harasser’s intentions are—it’s […]

The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t

Employment law attorney Mark I. Schickman reviews the book The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t by Robert Sutton. Review examines book’s assertion that there should be a rule against workplace bullying. Robert Sutton is a professor at the Stanford School of Engineering and the founder and codirector of […]

Employment Law Tip: Three Ways to Manage Workplace Romance

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, romance is in the air—and maybe even in the workplace. But while workplace romance may be a nice diversion for those involved, it can create some big risks for employers. This can include the threat of sexual harassment lawsuits when a relationship sours, lowered productivity, and even diminished morale […]

Health Insurance: California Reform Measure Dies in Senate

The massive healthcare reform proposal that was brokered between Gov. Schwarzenegger and the California legislature has died in the Senate Health Committee, which voted overwhelmingly not to move the bill forward. Key reasons for the committee’s move included the state’s huge budget deficit and the lack of available funding for the bill’s provisions. The measure […]

Employers can restrict use of company email for union activities

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ruled 3-2 that an employer didn’t violate federal labor relations law by having a policy that barred employees from using the company’s email system for union activities and other non-job-related solicitations. Employers have basic property rights to regulate and restrict the use of company property, including an email […]

Who’s Harassing Whom in Your Company—Right Now?

Multimillion dollar harassment settlements and judgments just keep on coming. Recent headlines run the gamut from “Unwanted Touching at McDonalds” to “Harassment at Madison Square Garden.” How can HR help? Is harassment happening at your workplace? Has it continued over time? If so, experts offer two explanations as to why: Either management is unaware (unlikely} […]

New York Times: Hardcover Business Bestsellers

The following is a list of the bestselling hardcover business books as ranked by the New York Times on February 5. 1. Jim Cramer’s Stay Mad for Life by James J. Cramer with Cliff Mason. (Simon & Schuster, $26.) The host of “Mad Money” on CNBC explains how to get rich and stay rich. 2. […]

Law Protects Workers’ Wages When Employer Is Insolvent

by Kate McNeill of McCarthy Tetrault and Brian P. Smeenk formerly with McCarthy Tetrault Canada’s federal parliament has passed a law to protect workers when their employers become insolvent A key component of Bill C-12, passed December 14, 2007, is the creation of the Wage Earner Protection Program (WEPP). The WEPP provides statutory wage protection […]