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Further clarification on ‘unjust’ dismissals

By Louise Béchamp As we reported previously, employers in Canada’s federal sector have had the right to dismiss employees without cause with one caveat. Only if the dismissal was not “unjust” within the meaning of section 240 of the Canada Labour Code. In Wilson v. Atomic Energy of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal determined […]

EEOC Taking Close Look at Hiring Decisions

Someone applies for a job and doesn’t get it. End of story? Not necessarily. More than 6,300 unsuccessful job applicants have complained to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) so far this fiscal year, claiming illegal discrimination kept them out of a job. Bass Pro, Weight Watchers in EEOC’s Sights The EEOC is focusing on […]

Short Takes: Use-It-or-Lose-It Vacation Policies

Can we institute a use-it-or-lose-it vacation policy to encourage our employees to take their vacations? 400+ pages of state-specific, easy-read reference materials at your fingertips—fully updated! Check out the Guide to Employment Law for California Employers and get up to speed on everything you need to know. Use-it-or-lose-it vacation policies are not allowed in California. […]

New Tax Credits Available for Hiring Veterans

By H. Mark Adams and B. Trevor Wilson Employers now have a powerful new incentive for hiring recently discharged and other unemployed veterans. Under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, enacted by Congress this past November, employers may receive significant income work opportunity tax credits for hiring unemployed veterans, including: […]

HR Metrics: Count on Them

To reach the top levels of business, two experts advise using HR metrics. In a June 28 BLR audio conference, they’ll tell you how. Yesterday’s Daily Advisor carried the results of a survey of top HR generalists on what skills they’d most like to see in their successors. Many must have been surprised to find […]

Background Checks: Complying With The New Federal Rules

  Congress recently changed the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require employers who obtain background reports on applicants and employees to follow detailed new authorization and disclosure rules. In an earlier article we described how these rules apply to credit reports. In this follow-up story, we’ll explain what the new law means for employers who […]

New ‘Concealed Carry’ Gun Law in Effect in Wisconsin

by Jessica E. Ozalp Axley Brynelson, LLP On November 1, most provisions of Wisconsin’s new “concealed carry” gun statute will go into effect. The law, which Governor Scott Walker signed in early July, establishes a licensing process that allows Wisconsinites age 21 and older to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon anywhere except […]

New Haven Firefighters Supreme Court Decision: Perfect Storm?

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady Several years ago, the HR department of the city of New Haven, Connecticut, was presented with a very difficult choice: It could accept the results of a recent promotion exam and risk the ire of the majority of city residents, or ignore them and risk a lawsuit by […]

Best Workplaces for Parents

Global research firm Great Place to Work has released its annual list of Best Workplaces for Parents. The award has advantages for companies on the list, as well as for those that didn’t receive recognition.