• The HR Specialist - Print Newsletter
  • HR Specialist: Employment Law
  • The HR Weekly

Discrimination / Harassment

Domestic-partner benefits: Don’t fear cost, controversy

03/01/2004
Issue: More employers are offering domestic-partner benefits to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. Benefit/risk: Such benefits can provide a good recruiting tool, but thorny legal and tax issues must be …

When deciding layoffs, rely on several objective factors

02/01/2004
When making the tough call about who receives a layoff notice (and defending that decision in court), rely on more than one evaluation tool.
Why? Overly rosy performance evaluations are …

Age difference of six years or less destroys employee’s age-bias claim.

02/01/2004
A 54-year-old supervisor’s management duties were handed to a 48-year-old employee. The supervisor sued under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. A federal appeals court tossed out the case. Court’s reason: …

Protect employee/witnesses from retaliation

02/01/2004
After a workplace investigation, check with all parties involved (including witnesses) to make sure they haven’t been retaliated against. While it’s illegal to retaliate against employees for filing a lawsuit, you …

Beware bias against men who take FMLA leave

02/01/2004
Would you think less highly of male applicants because they took leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)? Your first answer may be “No,” but a new study suggests …

You can’t play politics with employees’ political choices

02/01/2004
Issue: In this election year, politics will become a hot topic around the water cooler.
Risk: Retaliating against employees for their off-site political activities or comments can run you into …

Improving applicant interviews: 10 do’s and don’ts

02/01/2004
Login Email Address Password I forgot my password To continue reading this page, become an HR Specialist Premium Plus member today! Your subscription includes: Ask the Attorney: Answers to your HR legal questions Compliance Guidance: Access to 7,000 HR news articles, updated daily, sorted by state State-by-State: Summaries of HR laws in all 50 states […]

Compliments on dress and hair don’t equal sex harassment

01/01/2004
A female supervisor repeatedly complimented a female customer service rep on her choice of jewelry, clothing and hairstyle. The rep sued, alleging the constant comments were harassing and constituted a hostile …

Is quitting the same as being fired?

01/01/2004
The Supreme Court agreed last month to clarify a vexing question about employer liability in sexual harassment cases: Do employees who quit and then claim harassment possess the same rights as …

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 …