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Supreme Court Hands Down Retaliation Decision
by Peter Panken On June 22, the U.S. Supreme Court decided an employment retaliation case in which it held that any action by an employer against an employee, applicant, or even a former employee constitutes unlawful retaliation if the action would deter a reasonable employee from filing a discrimination charge against an employer. Retaliation cases […]
Employment Law Tip: Driving Safety Quiz
If you have employees who drive, even occasionally, as part of their jobs, it’s important to provide training in motor vehicle safety. Here’s a quick quiz you can administer and discuss with employees to drive home some key road safety points. (The answer key follows the quiz.)
Equal Pay: OFCCP Issues Guidelines for Rooting Out Systemic Pay Bias
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), which enforces federal anti-bias and affirmative action laws affecting federal contractors, has issued new rules for finding discrimination in federal contractors’ pay systems, as well as guidelines for contractors to conduct self-audits. The rules went into effect on the same day the OFCCP published them, June 16, […]
Retaliation: High Court Expands Protections for Employees
The U.S. Supreme Court has just issued a ruling that expands retaliation protections for employees who complain about workplace bias. The ruling limits employers’ discretion to make routine employment decisions.
Can your company defend against sexual harassment charges when harassment has actually happened?
The answer is a very qualified yes, and points up why it’s far better to stop sexual harassment before it occurs. As law school professors everywhere would outline it, “Supervisor A engages in sexual harassment of Employee B, who works for him. Is there any way Company C, which employs them both, would not be […]
Employment Law Tip: Beware the Dangers of Lie Detectors
Lie detector or polygraph tests can provide employers with a tool to test the honesty of a prospective or current employee. But watch out, because the tests can do you more harm than good and invite lawsuits. Under California law, it’s illegal for private-sector employers to demand or require employees or applicants to submit to […]
PBGC Now Requires Electronic Filings
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)—the federal agency that insures pension benefits for millions of Americans—has published a final rule requiring sponsors of defined benefit pension plans to electronically file their annual premium declarations. Effective July 1, large plan sponsors (those with 500 or more participants) must file premiums electronically for plan years beginning on […]
Harassment: FedEx Ground Slapped with $61 Million Verdict
A jury in Alameda County has awarded $61 million to two former FedEx Ground drivers who charged they were harassed by a manager for over two years. The drivers, Edgar Rizkallah and Kamil Issa—both of Lebanese descent—claimed that manager Stacy Shoun at the company’s Oakland terminal subjected them to a barrage of racial slurs, including […]
When writing job descriptions, don’t forget the excitement
With today’s top job candidates besieged with offers, how you go about writing job descriptions may determine your chances of winning the talent you need. Here are two ways an HR manager might go about writing job descriptions for the same position. See which way of writing a job description you think would attract more […]