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Work Relationships That Change the World: What’s Love-Love Got to Do with It?
Group Publisher of Employment Law at M. Lee Smith Tony Kessler reviews Tommy Spaulding’s book It’s Not Just Who You Know, finding the author offers an insightful look into the five different levels of relationships. Thanks to Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, blogs, and Skype, most of us have cyber-lists filled to the brim with friends these […]
COBRA Subsidy Extension Legislation’s Effect on Employers
Last week, President Barack Obama signed legislation into law that extends the original federal COBRA subsidy created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The legislation extends: the total allowable time an individual could receive the COBRA subsidy by six months (from nine to 15 months); and the subsidy to individuals who […]
Super Bowl Week: Is Gambling at Work a Problem?
As America revs up for the super-spectacle … and bets on the outcome … we wonder what gambling at work costs employers. The answer may surprise you. Sunday marks the biggest game in pro football, Super Bowl XLI, and the action will be hot and heavy … betting action, that is. Gamblers, from $2 small […]
Strong Documentation Defeats Employee’s ADA, ERISA Claims
Good recordkeeping and documentation is key in defending employment discrimination claims, a recent court ruling illustrates. An employee terminated for performance problems alleged that he was fired in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, because of his wife’s disability. The employer, however, produced evidence showing that: (1) the employee’s performance was subpar; (2) he […]
A Matter of Trust
The other day, I was faced with a situation where things were not progressing as I had hoped. My frustration led me to have a conversation with a colleague. I shared my dilemma with him and asked what he thought the key was to resuming progress. His response was, “You need to build trust. Obviously […]
Employee Benefits: New EEOC Guidelines On When It Is—And Isn’t—Legal To Discriminate In Providing Benefits, Part 1
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has released comprehensive new guidelines addressing the legality of benefit differentials under several federal anti-discrimination laws. The guidelines apply to health and life insurance, long- and short-term disability benefits, severance, pension and early retirement incentives.
Social Media: It’s Here To Stay
If your employees aren’t plugged in to social media sites on a regular basis at work, it’s likely because you have (a) a draconian firewall or (b) a workplace entirely free of computers. It’s also possible that (c) you’re in deep denial. Like it or not, social media is here to stay.
Utah Supreme Court Issues Major Workers’ Comp Ruling
In a very recent decision handed down by the Utah Supreme Court, the court has substantially limited the protections afforded to employers under the workers’ compensation statute. This decision involved an industrial accident at a Chevron refinery near Salt Lake City. According to the facts of the written opinion, Chevron tried a new, less expensive […]
Solis’ Proposed Budget Opens Door for 358 More DOL Inspectors, Staff
Today, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis hosted her third live Web chat during her tenure with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). During the session, Solis answered questions on the department’s proposed budget for the 2011 fiscal year. She touched briefly on the agency’s plans with the requested $116.5 billion, a decrease from last year’s […]