Category: HR Hero Line

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

What the Las Vegas Strip massacre means to employers

by Deanna Forbush The current Google Doodle says it all. The Doodles generally express recognition of a special day, such as the celebration of a holiday, an anniversary, or the life of a famous artist, pioneer, or scientist. Since last Sunday’s horrific Las Vegas massacre, however, the Google Doodle is a simple mournful black ribbon. […]

5 reasonable accommodation pitfalls to avoid

by Brent E. Siler Litigation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has been on the rise in recent years and will likely continue to increase. One area of ADA compliance fueling the increase is the duty to reasonably accommodate employees’ disabilities. While most employers are aware they have a duty to accommodate the disabilities […]

Bringing on new employees? Don’t let applications, interviews trigger legal woes

Most human resources professionals and others involved in hiring know how to steer clear of the most obvious off-limits questions on job applications and in interviews. Asking about someone’s race, national origin or ancestry, gender, religion, age, disability, etc. can quickly raise red flags related to unlawful discrimination. But less obvious questions also can put […]

cybersecurity

Cybercrime not just tech department’s problem; HR also has role to play

With headlines about data breaches, ransomware, viruses, and other cyberthreats becoming routine, it seems no one is immune, especially now with the rise of the “internet of things”—all those devices capable of accessing the internet and collecting and exchanging data. Today’s malicious hackers have no shortage of opportunities to wreak havoc.  Such a pervasive and […]

Why your company needs an antibullying policy

by Joe Godwin Bullying in the workplace is a common occurrence that’s often ignored or overlooked by management. Sometimes it may be ignored because, unlike sexual harassment, there’s usually no legal requirement that an organization have an antibullying policy. It also may be overlooked because leaders take a hands-off approach, believing employees should work out […]

What should you do when employees are addicted to prescription drugs?

by Jonathan R. Mook, DimuroGinsberg, PC Addiction to prescription drugs, especially opioids, has become a crisis in this country. Not a day goes by that we don’t hear about the mounting number of shattered lives and tragic deaths attributed to this growing epidemic. Employers are feeling the brunt of the crisis as employees are increasingly […]

immigration

Employers need to make preparations as DACA sunset nears

President Donald Trump’s announcement of an end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has prompted uncertainty not only for those benefiting from the program but also for their employers.  The program has benefitted an estimated 800,000 young people, known as Dreamers—undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children. Many of those […]

Need to boost productivity? Go to war against workplace distractions

Ever stop to consider just what your employees do all day? If they’re like a lot of today’s workers, they’re fitting in their core work around a host of distractions and interruptions.  A Harvard Business Review report from March 7, 2016, cites a study showing that the average worker checks email 74 times a day. […]

Trump administration pumps the brakes on new OSHA rules

by Eric J. Conn President Donald Trump was carried into the White House on promises (or threats) of rolling back government regulations. At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) this year, his now former senior policy adviser, Steve Bannon, framed the president’s agenda in terms of “deconstruction of the administrative state,” meaning he plans to […]

help

Employers can play vital role when natural disaster strikes

When natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey strike, work may not be the first thought for those hurt and those wanting to help, but it’s not far down the list of concerns. Getting back to work is an important part of getting back to normal for many storm victims. And those not in the path […]