Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
You think you’ve done everything by the book. Someone complains that she has been sexually harassed, you immediately conduct aprompt and thorough investigation, and you decide to terminate the accused harasser, a low-level supervisor. But you’re sued for sexual harassment nevertheless, and the court rules against you. Why? Because you can be liable for harassment […]
An employee is accused of violating a company rule, and after investigating you decidetermination is appropriate. The worker continues to claim innocence and accuses you of unfair treatment. Typically their next step would be to call a lawyer or complain to a government agency.But some employees now have another option: peer review by a committee […]
The possibility of facing a sexual harassment claim can make any employer nervous. And investigating a workplace harassment charge is frequently uncomfortable for all parties involved. To make matters worse, the line between illegal harassment and offensive but harmless office banter can be fuzzy at best.
Suppose your business has taken a downturn and you decide to implement a reduction in force. Can you lay off a person whose work performance has slipped due to a condition that is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? A new federal Court of Appeal opinion says yes, and the ruling also has […]
If someone requests a leave of absence because of pregnancy or serious illness, you probably know the federal and state laws that apply. But you may not be aware that there are a host of other rules allowing employees to take leave in other situations-such as going into drug rehab, taking an adult literacy class […]
One of your employees fails to return to work following a leave. Despite repeated attempts to contact her, you hear nothing and receive no explanation for her continued absence. Finally, you terminate her. But then she turns around and sues you for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, claiming she was having a manic depressive […]
Figuring out who’s exempt from the overtime rules and who isn’t can be very complicated. Impressive titles and salaries don’t count. Only the employee’s actual job duties matter. And of the four main exemptions-managerial, administrative, professional and sales-the administrative exemption is the least clear-cut. In fact, employers continue to reel from an epidemic of multi-million […]
When employees are off work because of a job injury, it can be to everyone’s benefit to get them back to work quickly. Returning employees to work with an adjusted schedule or a light-duty assignment can save employers money by reducing workers’ comp costs. Employees can earn more money and feel more productive and less […]
Despite the passage of California’s Proposition 209, affirmative action is alive and well if you sell goods or services to the federal government. In fact, the Office of Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), which enforces the affirmative action rules that cover government contractors, recently revised its regulations. Here are the highlights.
A sexual harassment complaint can lead to big legal bills and a massive jury verdict. But responding correctly at the start can dramatically reduce your risks. That was the experience of one employer who scrupulously handled a disgruntled saleswoman’s sexual harassment complaint, and was able to get her lawsuit dismissed without a trial.