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Use robust anti-bias policy to limit liability

01/11/2011
Here’s an all-too-frequent scenario: Misconduct leads to discipline, perhaps even discharge. Then the employee sues, alleging that for years, he’s been subjected to harassment on account of a protected characteristic. Don’t let that happen to you.

Texting while driving: Must you ban it?

01/11/2011
The legal wall is building against texting while driving. The federal government and most states are going after drivers distracted by their iPhones, Blackberries and Androids. Is it time for you to formally ban the practice for your employees?

How to win sexual harassment lawsuits: Institute robust anti-harassment training policy

01/11/2011
The Supreme Court long ago ruled on the many steps employers can take to avoid liability for sexual harassment. But some employers still fail to cover sexual harassment in their ongoing training programs. If that sounds like your organization, resolve now to increase your education efforts. As this case shows, it’s well worth the effort.

The HR I.Q. Test: January ’11

01/11/2011
Test your knowledge of recent trends in employment law, comp & benefits and other HR issues with our monthly mini-quiz …

Good faith–not perfection–is standard for deciding if wrongdoing calls for discipline

01/07/2011
Do you worry that you need absolute proof of wrongdoing before disciplining an employee? You don’t. Employers have to be fair, not absolutely right.

Sick leave and FMLA: Should you call off your call-in policy?

01/07/2011
Does your call-in policy demand that employees contact their supervisors daily when they’re out sick? If so, can you still require that of employees who are out on FMLA leave? Here’s what a ruling last week said …

How long should we retain I-9 forms?

01/07/2011
Q. We’ve been keeping I-9 forms for an indefinite period. Now I hear we only have to keep them for three years for active employees and one year for terminated employees. Which is correct?

‘Spider-Man’ caught in OSHA’s web

01/04/2011
Preview performances of “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” have been drawing big crowds of theater-goers eager to get a sneak-peak at Broadway’s most-expensive-ever musical. But the production isn’t earning rave reviews from some unlikely audience members—inspectors from OSHA and the New York Department of Labor.

11 for ’11: The top trends in HR, pay & perks

01/04/2011

Employers are emerging from the Great Recession with a different view of compensation and benefits. And, in most cases, that’s a good thing. Lessons learned in the lean years are being adapted and modified to make organizations stronger in this post-recession landscape. Look for these 11 trends to take a firm hold in 2011:

How to Respond to an EEOC Complaint: 10 Steps to Success

01/04/2011
The EEOC and state and local agencies have been filing more administrative charges in recent years and that trend is likely to continue. Because administrative charges can be precursors to discrimination lawsuits, it’s critical for you to handle them properly. These 10 tips will help you prepare to respond: 1. Tell the whole story Often, […]