Most Popular

Preventing Terrorism at Work

This content was originally published in January 2000. For the latest in HR management, visit our archives or try our online compliance portal, HR.BLR.com. Terrorism in the form of kidnapping, extortion, and violence, plays no favorites. Businesses and business people have become as likely targets as government leaders. Executives of small companies as well as […]

News Notes: Military Service Members Eligible For New Savings Plan

The federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan, a 401(k)-type program previously available only to federal civil service and postal workers, will now be open to uniformed members of the armed services while on active duty and to reservists while on military-pay status. A special enrollment period runs through Jan. 31. More information is available at the TSP […]

Bulletin: California Sexual Harassment Regulations Finally Approved

On July 18, after much delay and many revisions, the California Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved regulations relating to A.B. 1825, California’s mandatory sexual harassment training law. The regulations go into effect 30 days after the date of passage. The new regulations clarify the interactivity requirements for e-learning programs and webinars, and heighten the […]

Sexual Orientation: New Law Expands Protections

Governor Schwarzenegger recently signed S.B. 1441, which expands discrimination protections for individuals in programs or activities conducted, operated, or administered by the state or state agency, or that’s funded directly by the state, or receives any financial assistance from the state. This includes programs such as workers’ compensation and unemployment and disability insurance. Join us […]

Paid Sick Leave Measure Introduced in Congress

U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) have introduced the Healthy Families Act, legislation that, if passed, would guarantee seven paid sick days per year to employees working at least 30 hours a week at companies with 15 or more workers. The sick days could be used for the employee’s own medical […]

Telecommuting: A VIP Benefit?

Employees often view the telework option as a form of recognition. They may see it as a privilege earned through good performance. Unfortunately, they also may see the work-life perk — offered to some, but not all — as an entitlement, or worse, they may see lack of telecommuting privileges as an inequity caused by […]

Short Takes: Records Inspection

I understand that under California law, I have to allow current and former employees access to their personnel files and records that relate to the employee’s performance or to any grievance concerning the employee “at reasonable times and intervals.” But some of our employees are making a lot of requests. So what does “at reasonable […]

News Notes: Mandatory Arbitration Programs Under Attack

New developments signal a growing trend toward restricting the use of mandatory arbitration. The California Supreme Court recently decided a case involving charges that the Kaiser Permanente Medical Group misrepresented the fairness of its mandatory arbitration system for medical malpractice claims. The Supreme Court issued a strong directive to lower courts to ensure that private […]