Tag: job descriptions
Hiring: Can I Impose a No-Spouse Rule?
We’re a fairly small company, so good working relationships are key for us. I think family entanglements in the workplace complicate things; can I legally impose a “no-spouse” rule? — Anonymous
You’re the Expert: What can I do when references checks give me little to no information?
They are always saying be sure to check references, but a lot of companies are reluctant to give me anything but name and job title. What can I do to get references to open up a little?
You’re the Expert: Are there any good questions you recommend we ask interviewing applicants?
We’re reviewing our interviewing practices. Are there any good questions you recommend we ask applicants?
Exempt Employees: High Court Reinstates Class Action Overtime Lawsuit Against Sav-On; How to Avoid Being the Next Target
Over the past several years, many employers have been blindsided by big class action lawsuits from employees who say they were misclassified as exempt from overtime and are owed millions in back pay. Farmers Insurance Exchange, Big Lots, and Electronics Boutique are just a few of the businesses hit by the suits. For a brief […]
Equal Pay: Massive Lawsuit Highlights Need for Smart Pay Practices; An 8-Point Audit Checklist to Keep You In Compliance With Equal Pay Laws
A lawsuit charging Wal-Mart with discrimination against 1.6 million female employees has been certified as a class action by a federal district court judge in San Francisco. A key allegation in the litigation—being called the largest civil rights action in United States history—is that Wal-Mart violated state and federal equal-pay laws by paying female employees […]
E-Alert Item: DOL Says Insurance Adjusters Not Entitled to Overtime Pay
The federal Department of Labor has said in a recent opinion letter, which was issued in response to an insurance industry group’s inquiry, that adjusters qualify for the administrative exemption from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The opinion reaffirms the DOL’s position on this issue, and was based on the DOL’s review of […]
Violent Employees: Court Rules Employer Not Automatically Liable For Criminal Assault By Employee; 3-Point Lawsuit Prevention Checklist
Maria D. (as she was referred to in court documents) claimed that late one night as she drove along the Pacific Coast Highway in Southern California, she was pulled over by an on-duty Westec Residential Security guard wearing a uniform and gun. The guard allegedly pointed a spotlight in her face, asked for her license, […]
Employee Lawsuits: The Latest Legal Risk When A Disabled Employee Wants To Return To Work; How To Avoid Getting Sued
It’s important to be extra careful when evaluating the abilities of an employee who was previously injured and wants to come back to work. Unless you carefully consider the individual’s current skills and recent medical reports, deciding that the worker can’t perform certain tasks can expose you to an expensive discrimination lawsuit for erroneously regarding […]
Managing Workers With Mental Disabilities: ADA May Protect Anxiety-Ridden Employees Who Can’t Interact With Others; Practical Approaches To Take
How do you deal with an employee who’s disruptive and can’t get along with co-workers? The obvious answer may be a warning or other discipline. But the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal says employees like these may have a mental disability protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and that instead of disciplining […]