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Employment Law

Ergonomics

12/01/2014

HR Law 101: In 2009, OSHA said it plans to propose a rule requiring employers to report work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in a new column on their Form 300 workplace injury logs. Some believe the move is a precursor to reintroducing ergonomic standards.

Sexual Orientation Issues

12/01/2014
HR Law 101: Although Title VII does not specifically protect workers because of their sexual orientation, 21 states and the District of Columbia have laws that do. Similarly, 17 states and the District of Columbia have laws barring private employers from discriminating based on gender identity.

EEOC files its first case alleging transgender bias

11/20/2014
For the first time in its history, the EEOC has filed suit against employers alleging discrimination against transgender employees.

White House shuffles NLRB nominees ahead of Senate shift

11/17/2014
Seeking to speed up appointments to the National Labor Relations Board before Republicans take control of the Senate in January, the Obama administration has withdrawn a controversial nominee and replaced her with a prospective member it hopes will win swift approval.

Investigate, separate the parties when employee alleges co-worker harassment

11/17/2014
When an employee claims a co-worker sexually harassed her, employers have to investigate the claim, even if there aren’t any witnesses. Getting to the truth requires a timely investigation, as well as immediately separating the co-workers.

Warn your supervisors: Oral promises can be binding

11/17/2014
Make sure managers know that promises don’t necessarily have to be in writing to be binding. The more specific the promise, the more likely a court could hold you to it.

Court: Assaulting passenger wasn’t part of cabby’s job

11/16/2014
A Pennsylvania man recently lost both rounds of a fight that began when he tried to skip out on his taxi fare.

HIPAA: Compliance Rules

11/15/2014

HR Law 101: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 made changes to three areas of the continuing-coverage rules that apply to group health plans under COBRA …

Bullying alone is not legitimate grounds for lawsuit–yet

11/14/2014

Employers should, of course, always discourage bullying. It crushes employee morale and spikes turnover. But unless employees can prove they were targeted for bullying and harassment based on a protected characteristic (sex, race, age, etc.), they typically won’t have a case against an equal-opportunity screamer boss.

Employee testifies in lawsuit: That’s protected activity

11/14/2014
Goodwill Industries will pay $100,000 to settle a long-standing lawsuit for retaliation filed by the EEOC.