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Retaliation Claims: Court OKs Lawsuit By Fired Employee Who Complained About Health And Safety Problems; How To Avoid This Fast-Growing Employer Risk

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Feb 1, 1999 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 19, 2015

Most employers understand, in principle, that it’s illegal to retaliate against a worker who in good faith complains about an unsafe or illegal condition at work. In practice, however, retaliation cases are rarely black and white. Frequently, problems arise when an already difficult employee begins griping about something you feel is irrelevant or unimportant-and the […]

Disciplining Employees: New Case Points Out Why It’s Important To Have Consistent Standards Before Taking Action

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Feb 1, 1999 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

One of your employees has been violating work rules. You document the problems and eventually terminate the worker. It appears you’ve done everything right and responded appropriately to the employee’s misconduct. But a new ruling makes clear that viewing each case of discipline and termination in a vacuum can get you in trouble. Even if […]

News Notes: Revised 401(k) Rules Reduce Need For Waiting Periods

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Jan 1, 1999 Uncategorized

Updated: Jan 1, 1999

A little-noticed law that goes into effect on January 1, 1999, may enable companies to eliminate or reduce waiting periods for new hires who want to participate in 401(k) plans. Many employers are reluctant to immediately allow new employees to join 401(k) plans. The primary reason is that their typically lower contributions can pull down […]

News Notes: New Health Plan Notice Rules In Effect

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Jan 1, 1999 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

Following on the heels of new benefit and notice requirements for health plans offering maternity coverage, a new federal law mandates that any plans that cover mastectomies must also cover breast reconstruction and prostheses. Employees have to be notified about these benefits at the beginning of this year. Check with your health benefits provider for […]

News Notes: EDD Rescinds New Pregnancy Disability Policy

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Jan 1, 1999 Uncategorized

Updated: Jan 1, 1999

Last month we reported that the California Employment Development Department announced it would pay maternity disability benefits only for the time period a woman is actually disabled from working rather than for the four weeks before childbirth and six weeks after (or eight for a cesarean). The agency has now abruptly reversed itself-and reinstated the […]

Affirmative Action: Government Clarifies New Federal Contractor Audit Rules

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Jan 1, 1999 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

If you contract with the federal government to sell or buy goods or services, you may be covered by detailed affirmative action and non-discrimination rules that are enforced by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). If so, you’re required to retain a broad array of employment records, and the OFCCP can audit your […]

Preventing Equal Pay Problems—Part 1: Why Employee Fired After Salary Complaint Won Over $1 Million

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Jan 1, 1999 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 19, 2015

Most employers are familiar with the basic concept of equal pay for equal work. But it’s critical to understand the details of the rules because you can be liable for hefty damages and penalties if you make a mistake. In Part 1 of our series on preventing equal pay problems, we’ll explain what your obligations […]

News Notes: Court Affirms Religious Employers Are Exempt From Bias Laws

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Dec 1, 1998 Uncategorized

Updated: Dec 1, 1998

The California Supreme Court has clarified that nonprofit, religious entities may be exempt from state anti-discrimination laws regardless of how they are incorporated. A nurse at Mercy Healthcare Sacramento sued the hospital for sex and race bias after she was passed up for a promotion. Mercy asked to have the case thrown out, relying on […]

News Notes: Time Warner Sued Over Benefits For Contingent Workers

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Dec 1, 1998 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

The Labor Department has sued Time Warner, Inc., charging that hundreds of workers classified as temporary employees or independent contractors are entitled to retroactive health and pension benefits. Time Warner allegedly classified workers as temporary even after they had worked long enough to be considered regular employees under company guidelines. The government also accuses the […]