Category: HR Hero Line

HR best practices, employment law tips, news and analysis, Q&As, and lessons learned from the courtroom.

Should you settle that pesky NLRB charge?

by Frank Rox At the outset, it is worthwhile to take a look at the rather grim statistical picture. In fiscal year (FY) 2011, the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) regional offices won 88 percent of unfair labor practice (ULP) and compliance cases decided by the Board and administrative law judges (ALJs). Of the ULP […]

Mother’s Day 2015: a time to explore gender equality at work

Mother’s Day—since it’s always on Sunday—doesn’t typically get a lot of attention in most workplaces. Moms might get a quick shout-out during a meeting or in the office newsletter, but for most moms appreciation on their special day comes outside of work. The human resources department, however, might be smart to remember the benefits of […]

To fire or not to fire: Remember arrested employee may not be guilty

Learning that a trusted employee has been arrested and accused of theft is always alarming, but the question of what to do—suspend, terminate, or wait and see how the case plays out—adds even more stress. Recently, several attorneys who represent employers were asked what to do in such a situation. Their advice: Suspension or termination […]

President’s budget reflects administration’s labor and employment priorities

by Judith E. Kramer and Daria H. Hafner President Barack Obama has submitted to Congress his budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2016, which begins on October 1, 2015. Here are the highlights of the administration’s requests for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the National Labor Relations […]

Worried about ‘quickie election’ rule? Attorneys urge supervisor training

The much ballyhooed National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule shortening the process leading up to unionization elections is now in force, leaving employers scrambling to figure out how best to protect their interests. One bit of advice: Focus on supervisor training. Supervisors are the employer’s eyes and ears among employees, according to Kevin C. McCormick […]

Employment law road map for employers entering the U.S. market

by Maria Mejia-Opaciuch, John Herrington, and Irma Solares Foreign companies and investors that enter the U.S. market are governed by numerous state and federal labor and employment laws. When you’re opening a business in the United States, it’s critical to work with experienced lawyers who can guide you through the necessary steps. Here is an […]

Are employer codes of conduct meaningless in today’s NLRB climate?

by Michael J. Westcott Based on the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) recent attack on employer codes of conduct, employers need to rethink their approach to communicating to employees the kinds of conduct that are prohibited and expected in the workplace.  Weapon of choice: NLRA Section 7 Many “old school” employers provide employees with work […]

HR soul searching: New report calls for ‘extreme makeover’

Forward-thinking leaders of change or stuck-in-the-past resisters of change. Which phrase describes today’s human resources professionals? Serious HR practitioners aspire to the first description, but a new report warns that the profession is in need of an “extreme makeover” to ensure it can meet the engagement, leadership, development, and other challenges facing today’s workforce. The […]

Moonlighting: From political candidates to your employees

by Kylie Crawford TenBrook It may only be April 2015, but the 2016 presidential race has officially begun. On Monday, the New York Times listed 12 Republicans and four Democrats who have expressed an interest in running for their party’s 2016 presidential nomination in the article Who Is Running for President (and Who’s Not)? Three […]

Sniffing out an ADA case: Aromatherapy at work sparks questions

The human resources department often finds itself in the position of mediating disagreements about thermostat settings, noise levels, perfume sensitivities, and an array of other workplace issues. But when employee preferences—or even prescriptions—intersect with the law, the job gets more challenging. Recently a group of attorneys was asked whether an employee’s use of aromatherapy at […]