Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
The U.S. Senate dealt at least a minor blow to the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) rule aimed at speeding up union elections, but the rule’s April 14 effective date likely is still on track. On March 4, the Senate voted 53-46 to overturn the rule by using its power under the Congressional Review Act. […]
by Peter D. Lowe and Connor Beatty On Thursday, January 30, Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court issued a groundbreaking and controversial decision. The Law Court ruled that a school district discriminated against one of its students when it told the student she couldn’t use the female restroom because she is transgendered. Although this decision directly affects […]
New research suggests you should consider freelancers.
by Mark I. Schickman We have been telling you about a big legislative change to the federal labor law around the corner, titled the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). If passed (which appears likely), it will require labor union recognition based on employee petitions without any union election. Of course, that move all but eliminates […]
By Steven L. Brenneman, Fox, Swibel, Levin & Carroll, LLP Does your organization use independent contractors or other workers labeled “owners” or “partners” who aren’t considered employees? If so, a recent decision by a federal court judge in Chicago that shows the danger in misclassifying employees may give you indigestion.
By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady Bob Brady gives his take on the new Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and he asks for your thoughts about how the law might affect your organization—and American workplaces in general. Not so fast Even before the Obama Administration took office, Congress was hard at work passing new […]
For issues such as discrimination … and virtually anything else that’s compliance-related … leave the HR policy writing to the experts. If you read yesterday’s Advisor article on “unconscious discrimination,” it may have raised the same question in your mind as it did in ours. Assuming that recent social research is correct—that managers of good […]
Most people are happy to gain an hour’s sleep when we go from daylight saving back to standard time on November 4. But HR managers have to brace for a double hassle. Come 2 a.m., Sunday morning, sleep an extra hour, everyone, unless you work the night shift. Then you’ll probably have to work an […]
New Paid Family Leave Regulations Released As most California employers know, the new Paid Family Leave (PFL) law kicked into action this summer, providing partial wage-replacement benefits for workers who take time off to care for a seriously ill family member or bond with a new child. At the same time, the state Employment Development […]
Former employees who make off with your trade secrets can spell disaster for your business. Once confidential information is in a competitor’s hands, the damage is done and may be impossible to reverse. Now a case involving Fremont-based Avant! Corp.—which had to pay huge fines and whose top executives are off to jail—provides a dramatic […]