Category: HR Hero Line
HR best practices, employment law tips, news and analysis, Q&As, and lessons learned from the courtroom.
by Arielle B. Sepulveda The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued a final rule that makes significant changes to its Occupational Injury and Illness Recording and Reporting regulation, effective January 1, 2015. Although the revisions bring increased financial and administrative costs, the new requirements may also provide an opportunity for employers to be […]
by Leanne Mehrman, Sal Simao, and Joanna Rich Much of the country suffered through punishing storms this past winter, and it has already started again. While fresh snowfall on a crisp winter day can be a beautiful thing, snowy and icy driving conditions are usually a little less charming, especially for employers whose employees aren’t […]
by Sara Hutchins Jodka The return of LeBron James to the Cleveland Cavaliers riveted the sports world and reinvigorated Cleveland. For employers, however, James’ “going home” has prompted conversations about boomerang employees—i.e., employees who leave an employer only to return later. This article looks at this relatively new concept and outlines what factors employers should […]
Ebola may be grabbing headlines, but it’s the old familiar flu that’s more likely to cause headaches and chills for employers this winter. Flu.gov reports that nearly 111 million workdays are lost as a result of flu each season. That puts the tab at approximately $7 billion per year in sick days and lost productivity. […]
by Charles S. Plumb It’s no secret to employers that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has taken a more provocative and confrontational approach to investigating and litigating claims of employment discrimination. But the EEOC’s treatment of Case New Holland, Inc., takes “pushing the envelope” to a new level. To make matters worse, a federal […]
It starts with break room tables laden with bowls of candy corn and “fun-size” chocolate bars. Then come turkey and Pilgrim decorations, which quickly give way to workstations sporting menorahs, Nativity scenes, Christmas trees, tinsel, and eventually New Year’s party hats and streamers. With the kickoff of the fall-winter holidays, employers need to consider not […]
by Mark Flora Recently, I realized that my desk was covered with recent National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decisions (and articles about those decisions) I needed to review. The problem is, the Board is intruding into nonunion workplaces with such ferocity that it is impossible to keep up. The self-described Rip Van Winkle of government […]
Employers have dealt with health scares before. Maladies ranging from the common cold to virulent strains of flu often prompt employers to post hand-washing reminders, offer onsite vaccinations, and encourage sick employees to stay home. But the challenge intensifies in the midst of a disease outbreak as serious and frightening as Ebola. As the deadly […]
by Bret Busacker and Bret Clark Now that fall is in the air and school has started, we thought it would be a good idea to summarize some of the key health and welfare benefit deadlines that are approaching. November 5 Health plan identifier. All self-insured large group health plans (i.e., plans with annual costs […]
When workers volunteer to attend work-related meetings during their lunch break, are they dedicated employees eager to go the extra mile, or do they signal a legal problem? That’s an issue recently put to a group of attorneys who focus on employment law matters. Their advice: Be careful. The attorneys were asked what to do […]