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Misunderstandings over an office birthday party recently taught a Kentucky employer an expensive lesson about disability discrimination. A jury awarded $450,000 to the affected employee who didn’t want the party and allegedly suffered a panic attack afterward. The employer’s alleged, repeated mishandling of the worker’s behavior after the episode offers the best explanation for the […]
Conducting investigations of disputed workplace events is a routine responsibility for HR leaders. Faced with disputed facts, employers can make reasonable fact determinations based on a diligent probe and still obtain summary dismissal of a discrimination claim. A recent decision from the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals confirms how employers can best ensure the […]
“What can we do?” This is among the most common questions I get after a major incident of violence. It’s not uncommon for there to be a heightened interest for a while, then things go back to “normal.” However, things feel different this time. As I’m writing this article, the news playing in the background […]
In our latest installment of Ask the Expert, brought to you by the team of industry experts at HR Hero®, we look at a recent question from a subscriber regarding disciplinary action in the workplace, company compliance, and what can be deemed as fair policy. Q: We have a newly hired manager who is suspending staff like […]
A new study from emergency communications provider AlertMedia finds that U.S. workers are more concerned than ever about their safety in the workplace. The Austin-based company’s inaugural State of Employee Safety Report polled more than 2,000 full-time employed American workers 18 or older about their perceptions of workplace safety. The study found that 90% of respondents believe […]
Major depressive disorder affects many Americans. In 2017, about seven percent of U.S. adults endured at least one major depressive episode, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When the depressive episodes occur at work, they can create tough HR challenges. On May 27, 2021, the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals (which covers […]
Workplace violence has been a problem in California and across the nation for decades, and it appears to be getting worse. Some governmental estimates have identified up to 36 mass killings in California workplaces in the last decade, including five since the start of 2021. According to a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) study, […]
It’s essential that training materials stay current. Most people cringe when they see out-of-date training materials—and rightfully so.
Workplace violence is a fraught topic. Unfortunately, COVID-19 may be creating or exacerbating situations that may lead to violence in the workplace. Employers should be aware of this trend and determine what steps they can take to mitigate it.
Preventing workplace violence is a high priority. Obviously, no one wants an unsafe workplace. While there’s no way to ensure violence never happens, there is a lot employers can do to try to prevent workplace violence from occurring.