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Hiring

Could high school diploma requirement violate the ADA?

01/05/2012

An “informal discussion letter” from the EEOC had employment-law circles buzzing last month—and creating uncertainty about employer’s use of high school diplomas as hiring criteria. The nonbinding EEOC letter said employers, in some instances, could infringe on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when requiring all applicants to have a high school diploma.

Experience isn’t the only valid qualification; document differences between applicants

01/05/2012

The job candidate with the most experience might also be the oldest applicant. But that doesn’t mean you always have to pick that person. You can use other factors as long as none of them hints at age discrimination. The key is to maintain impeccable records showing how and why you chose the candidate you did.

Will your organization add employees in 2012?

12/27/2011
More than 60% of poll respondents say their organizations will add staff this year.

Verizon focuses on jobs for veterans, military spouses

12/26/2011

Verizon employs nearly 12,000 veterans, and it also has a program to put the spouses of active-duty military members to work. It helps military spouses find Verizon jobs at locations near where their husbands or wives are assigned. The firm hires more than 500 veterans a year.

How to: Conduct your annual HR policy review

12/23/2011
We’re already a month into 2012. It’s time to review your employment policies and practices in light of the government’s aggressive efforts to enforce employment laws. The EEOC, the DOL and a host of other agencies are all cracking down on employers. Good, up-to-date policies are your best defense against the fed’s stepped up scrutiny.

Refusing hair-sample drug test trims firm’s bank account

12/20/2011
G2 Secure Staff has settled a disability discrimination charge stemming from poor hiring practices at Raleigh-Durham International Air­­port, where the company provides security services.

How flexible is starting pay in your organization?

12/20/2011
Most employers offer at least some flexibility to tweak starting pay.

Asian food vendor in hot water over hiring practices

12/19/2011
The Nishimoto Trading Co., which sells Asian foods to various Depart­­ment of Defense facilities, has agreed to pay $400,000 in back wages to women who alleged the company illegally refused to hire them. Nishi­moto operates a facility in Chicago.

Drug test leads to disability bias suit against Chicago firm

12/19/2011
Employers know to be wary of drug tests because they sometimes falsely show that someone has been using illegal drugs. Now Chicago-based United Insurance has learned of another danger: Drug tests can t­rigger disability discrimination lawsuits.

Employees must apply before suing for failure to promote

12/16/2011
Supervisors don’t have crystal balls that help them tell the future or read employees’ minds. Unless an em­­ployee expresses an interest in being promoted, they don’t have to consider him for open positions.