Category: HR Hero Line

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

Making sure promotion decision isn’t discriminatory is no laughing matter

It’s not easy deciding who is right for a job. Employers have to study a candidate’s qualifications, education, experience, demeanor, and more. But sometimes the decision comes down to the little things—even a person’s laugh. The question an employer must consider is whether such a seemingly small factor poses any legal risk. Current employee wants […]

Labor Day can be reminder of how workforce has changed

With Labor Day coming up, employers may be thinking about more than just how to celebrate the last holiday of summer. It’s also a time to look at the status of the American workforce, where it’s been and where it’s going. The U.S. Census Bureau notes the first observation of Labor Day took place on […]

Dangers of hiring unpaid interns

by Heather L. Devine Recent cases call attention to the risk of using unpaid interns. Employers that aren’t cautious may be found in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Recent decisions In a case many of you may have heard about, a U.S. district court judge concluded on June 11, 2013, that Fox […]

EEO reporting: It’s time!

by Gary S. Fealk It is once again time for employers to report the demographics of their workforce to the Joint Reporting Committee of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The report, which is commonly referred to as an EEO-1 report, typically must be filed between […]

What Supreme Court’s DOMA decision means for employers

by Maria Reed On June 26, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which had mandated that “in determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the United States, the word ‘marriage’ […]

Breadwinner, caregiver, or both: Is it a new day for Dad in the workplace?

Prince William is back at work now, but immediately following the birth of his baby on July 22, he took some time off from his duties in the British Royal Air Force – paid time off. American golfer Hunter Mahan also famously left work recently because his wife was ready to deliver their baby. He […]

Nursing mothers have ‘privacy rights’

by Jeff Hurt On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the health care reform bill ― officially known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Part of the Act that didn’t get much media attention affects nursing mothers in the workplace. Specifically, the Act requires a covered employer to provide an employee who […]

HR lessons in San Diego mayor’s sexual harassment debacle

by Mark I. Schickman In the movie Anchorman, Ron Burgundy is a toothy, handsome news anchor who leads a San Diego news station that is simply too sexist to believe. It seemed cartoonish—until now, when we meet San Diego’s toothy, handsome mayor who allegedly is a more out-of-control sexist than Ron Burgundy on his worst […]

How to write a strong termination letter

by Bradley T. Cave Writing a termination letter can be a daunting task, knowing that much can rise or fall on what the letter says. A few straightforward strategies can help you prepare a termination letter that manages the risks that accompany all termination decisions. What to leave in, what to leave out Obviously, a […]

Employers: Be prepared for an EEOC lawsuit

by Kevin J. Skelly Employers sued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) often face more challenging demands for discovery and settlement agreements than companies facing lawsuits filed by individual employees. Let’s look at what you can expect if the EEOC comes knocking at your door. How an EEOC investigation works Employers are often all […]