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The HR I.Q. Test: September ’10

09/13/2010
Test your knowledge of recent trends in employment law, comp & benefits and other HR issues with our monthly mini-quiz …

Across the table: 10 tips for preparing for a deposition

09/10/2010

A deposition may feel like a simple conversation between the parties in a lawsuit, but it isn’t. It is a tool used by a highly skilled practitioner to lock-in your side of the story, build his or her case through your admissions and evaluate you as a trial witness. The following are my top 10 things to think about as you prepare to give testimony in a deposition.

Hot & bothered: Team-building goes wrong

09/10/2010
As part of a team-building activity, an Italian company hired a motivational trainer who specializes in firewalking. The goal: help employees see beyond their limits. The problem: The motivational guru brought the wrong kind of wood and artificial charcoal that day. Nine of the company’s employees were sent to the hospital with burns to their feet.

EEOC takes on ‘Cheaters,’ settles harassment case

09/09/2010

The Dallas-based owners and producers of the “Cheaters” syndicated television show—which highlights cases of sexual infidelity—have agreed to pay $50,000 to settle an EEOC sexual harassment lawsuit. Among the allegations: Two female office assistants were subjected to sexually explicit remarks and unwelcome touching by the company’s owner and upper-management staff.

How should we handle a deceased worker’s e-mail?

09/08/2010
Q. A deceased employee’s spouse has asked us for copies of personal e-mails that were on the employee’s work computer. Can we provide her copies?

What should we do with the belongings of an employee who died?

09/08/2010
Q. One of our employees recently died. We still have his personal belongings and are wondering what we should do to return these items?

Offer several ways to complain of harassment to guard against supervisor inaction

09/08/2010

The best sexual harassment policy sets up many ways for employees to lodge complaints. Here’s why: Sometimes low-level supervisors don’t take harassment as seriously as they should. If your sexual harassment policy tells employees to complain to their bosses without offering an alternative, they could become frustrated or angry. Plus, the alleged offensive behavior could very well escalate.

Surprise! Iron Range firm wins EEOC ADA case

09/08/2010
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Will we run into legal trouble if we commit to hiring only ‘careful’ workers?

09/08/2010
Q. Several recent hires have suffered work-related injuries shortly after starting to work for us. As a result, our workers’ compensation premiums have soared. Our CEO, in an effort to avoid this problem, has directed managers to hire only “careful” workers in the future. Is this legal?

What can we do about an employee who has been blasting us on his personal web site?

09/08/2010
Q. One of my employees has created his own web site and has been posting negative comments about our company. Specifically, he has accused the company of failing to provide adequate benefits and paying below-market wages. Can we fire this worker for this conduct?