Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Following years of controversy and false starts, historic workplace ergonomics rules aimed at reducing repetitive motion injuries are in effect as of July 3, 1997. Certain employers whose workers have repetitive motion disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis will have to implement a specific ergonomics program to eliminate or minimize the injury risk.
Discrimination lawsuits doubled between 1992 and 1996, according to a new report from the U.S. Courts’ Administrative Office. And the problem is likely to get worse. In May, we reported that employers paid record amounts to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over the last few years. Now top EEOC lawyers have promised to step […]
One in five human resource executives reported a violent workplace episode, according to a new survey of Southern California employers by Thomas Staffing Services in Irvine. Respondents expressed the most concern over fist fights, guns, and obscene or threatening phone calls. Nearly all believed preventive measures such as pre-employment screening, tighter security and employee hotlines […]
If your company pays more than $50,000 in annual payroll taxes, you must start paying electronically by July 1 or incur steep penalties. The IRS says about 230,000 employers nationwide are not yet prepared. You can use a commercial payroll service or one of the two deposit options offered by the IRS: 1) making […]
Martin Marietta Corp. has agreed to pay $13 million to settle an age discrimination lawsuit filed by the EEOC on behalf of thousands of former employees who were laid off. The company also agreed to rehire 450 eligible employees who took part in the lawsuit and to make future layoff decisions under EEOC scrutiny over […]
A systems administrator has been ordered to serve one year in jail for destroying computer files worth $237,550 at Digital Link, a Sunnyvale engineering firm. An Chi Tran quit his job after his supervisor gave him a written reprimand. The company then changed its passwords to block his access to its central computer system. But […]
How you respond to an employee’s announcement that she’s pregnant can present an array of legal pitfalls. You can get into trouble not only for overt discrimination, but also for seemingly well-intentioned efforts to protect her from stress or other hazards.
It’s not uncommon for employers to lay off workers and then outsource their job responsibilities to save money on employee benefits and other expenses. But now, a new U.S. Supreme Court ruling has exposed some serious hidden risks in this and similar practices.
The new Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is intended to make it easier for workers to retain health insurance coverage when they switch jobs, by limiting pre-existing medical condition exclusions. Recently, the federal government issued regulations spelling out your obligations under the law.
A worker is easily distracted and has trouble concentrating on what he’s doing. A supervisor is hostile and rude to co-workers. Another employee can’t seem to get to work on time and frequently appears groggy and withdrawn. You may think you have clear grounds for discipline or termination in situations such as these, but be […]