Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
An employee comes to you with a complaint of sexual harassment—or perhaps an allegation that a co-worker is violating company policy. Or maybe a worker reports that an expensive piece of equipment is dangerous and needs to be repaired. How you respond to these scenarios can make the crucial difference between a prompt resolution of […]
In a series of cases in recent years, the California Supreme Court has discussed the circumstances under which an employee of an independent contractor can sue the hirer of that contractor for work-related injuries, rather that just collect workers’ compensation benefits. Now the high court has further clarified when you can be sued for damages […]
A federal jury in San Francisco has awarded $2 million to former Oakland police officer Janeith Glenn-Davis, who claimed she was passed over for promotion because she was pregnant. The damages included $150,000 in lost earnings plus $1.85 million for emotional distress and other damages.
When Joshua Josephs applied for a service tech position with Pacific Bell Telephone Co., he checked “no” to the job application question, “Have you ever been convicted of, or are you awaiting trial for, a felony or misdemeanor?” Josephs was hired for the position, which required him to install and repair phones unsupervised in homes, […]
Thomas Davenport worked for Michael Faeth Cleaners (MFC) under its contract with Camp Pendleton to dry-clean military clothing. He lived in a hotel on the base and MFC paid for his room and board. One day, while Davenport was cooking in his hotel room, a grease fire started and Davenport was burned on his arms, […]
After several years of employees being required to meet a very high standard to have their cases heard by a jury, that may be changing in the long term. The U.S. Supreme Court recently cautioned federal judges to be careful in the rules of evidence and legal standards for employment discrimination. The Court’s opinion offers […]
Employers often use severance pay as a way to fend off possible lawsuits by departing employees. But here’s the catch: if you don’t require the employee to sign a waiver of all rights to sue you in exchange for the severance, you can be sued anyway. Whenever you offer severance an employee is not otherwise […]
In recent months, the California appeals courts have grappled with whether the extra one-hour’s wages an employer must pay an employee for a missed meal or rest period amounts to a penalty or wages. A penalty carries a one-year time limit for an employee to file a claim; wages carry a three-year time limit. Now, […]
The U.S. Supreme Court has weighed in on a case that underscores the importance of providing comprehensive antibias and harassment training for managers and supervisors.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has published a new resource to help workers calculate the financial resources they’ll need to ensure a secure retirement. The new publication, “Taking the Mystery Out of Retirement Planning,” is specially designed to assist workers who are within 10 years of retirement to calculate their […]