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Employment Law

Start of absence, not approval date, sets 12-week FMLA clock ticking

09/01/2004
Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of job-protected, unpaid leave. When do those 12 weeks officially begin? A new court ruling …

Don’t fire employee because of family’s high health costs

09/01/2004
With health insurance costs soaring, employers may be tempted to make hiring/firing decisions based on whether a person is a drain on the organization’s health costs. Our advice: Don’t even think …

Tell managers never to show their cards before making hiring decision

09/01/2004
Now’s a good time to remind your hiring managers that they should never reveal to job candidates whom they plan to hire. They should provide only neutral comments until they’re ready …

Remind employees to closely read the forms and policies they sign

09/01/2004
Make sure to clearly inform employees who take medical or disability leave at the outset about the length and terms of their leave and the consequences of failing to return to …

Take note of latest union tactic: ‘virtual’ organizing

09/01/2004
In an effort to bolster dwindling memberships, unions are taking their organizing message to the Internet, rather than your physical work site.
Latest example: One of the nation’s largest unions, …

Remodeling or building? Heed new ADA access rules

09/01/2004
Is your organization planning to build or remodel its stores, offices or facilities that serve the public? If so, review new construction guidelines published last month that explain how far you …

FMLA notice rules: Provide quick response to leave request

09/01/2004
THE LAW. Eligible employees who want to take leave covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (Act) must give you 30-days’ advance notice when the need is foreseeable, such …

Would your harassment training pass legal muster? 5 fixes

09/01/2004
Issue: In harassment and discrimination lawsuits, courts examine whether your training is effective, frequent or formal enough. Risk: Simply having a …

Don’t rubber-stamp firings; verify supervisors’ reasons

09/01/2004
Issue: Should HR question a supervisor’s plans to fire an employee? Risk: If you take a termination report at face value, you may overlook bias by a manager. Action: …

Obtain applicant’s approval before calling previous boss

09/01/2004

Q. I’d like to contact an applicant’s former employer, but that employer wasn’t included in the applicant’s reference list. Can I call the employer anyway? —A.T., Wyoming