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Communication

When facing a bias lawsuit, avoid these three dumb defenses

01/01/2004
Your organization can defend itself against race discrimination lawsuits in many ways, but a recent ruling illustrates how three excuses will flop in court …

Hidden risk: Do your staff committees violate labor law?

01/01/2004
Consider these two scenarios:
1. At the suggestion of a project manager, your organization starts an employee committee to provide workers a voice in safety issues. Management and the safety …

Don’t hem & haw: Speak like you mean business

01/01/2004
Issue: The phrases you use to offer your ideas can sabotage your credibility with other people. Benefit: Nobody takes you seriously when you don’t speak confidently. Action: Take the …

Barefoot, pregnant … and dragging you into court

01/01/2004
Issue: Even one offhand remark, if timed just right, can spell “discrimination.” Risk: Years of diligence in preventing discrimination among managers can go up in smoke instantly. Action: Advise …

No need for OK before misconduct investigations

01/01/2004

Good news: You no longer have to notify employees suspected of workplace misconduct that they are targets of third-party investigations. Congress recently altered the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) …

Don’t expect those on FMLA leave to ‘stay home and shut the blinds’

12/01/2003
You can discipline employees if you discover that they lied about their need for FMLA leave or they seriously misused their leave time. For example, a court recently upheld the firing …

Workplace gossip doesn’t count as protected speech

12/01/2003
Americans can speak their minds as they wish in many places, but your workplace isn’t one of them. First Amendment free-speech rights do not extend to the private workplace. So don’t …

Don’t fudge or exaggerate details of insurance coverage

12/01/2003
Never exaggerate the quality or quantity of employee benefits, either in written communication or when trying to sell an applicant on your organization. Courts will make you stick to any promises, …

Brush up on WARN Act rules; fed report prompts more scrutiny

12/01/2003
Count on hearing more about the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act in the coming months. Reason: Employers comply with the law (which requires 60-days’ notice of mass layoffs or …

Enlist in-house recruits to help you guard the door

12/01/2003
Issue: Employees can provide your best defense against security breaches. Benefits: Low-cost security, plus employee involvement. Action: Poll employees, especially smokers, to determine where your organization …