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HR Management

Can handbooks create employment contracts?

09/29/2009

Q. I have heard that an employee handbook can create a contract between the employer and the employee. Is this true? If so, can this be prevented?

One way to stop retaliation cases: Evenly enforce sick-leave documentation rules

09/28/2009

You shouldn’t have to worry about losing a retaliation lawsuit if you consistently follow your internal rules for seeking medical information from employees who ask for sick leave. That’s true even if the employee has already complained about discrimination, either internally or to the EEOC.

No raise = no review; a losing strategy

09/25/2009

“We’ve put a freeze on pay raises, so why do we need to keep doing performance reviews?” The recession has led many employers to ask themselves that question. But dropping reviews can be a morale buster and liability magnet.

Dogged by sexual harassment suit, PetSmart settles

09/23/2009

A manager for PetSmart’s Pottstown and Wyomissing, Pa., stores got his employer in the doghouse after he sexually harassed female employees. It seems the manager was something of a beast. When female employees complained, they got the corporate equivalent of “Sit! Stay!” PetSmart failed to address the women’s concerns.

It’s not hogwash: Prepare now for the coming swine flu pandemic

09/23/2009

Federal and state public health agencies are closely monitoring the H1N1 influenza (also known as swine flu) that was first identified this spring. Since then, every state in the U.S. has had confirmed cases of the virus. It’s not time to panic—but it is time for businesses to think strategically, be proactive and be prepared.

What should we consider as we implement a community service evaluation measure?

09/23/2009

Q. Our CEO just implemented a new employee evaluation goal that calls for employees to do charitable volunteer work throughout the year. The more they volunteer, the higher the points they receive on their review, ultimately increasing their salaries. Can we do this without risk?

What should we do? Employee has used all her sick leave, but she’s still sick

09/23/2009

Q. One of our employees is out sick and has already used up all her sick leave hours. Can we legally subtract from her vacation time instead?

Train supervisors to refer potential FMLA leave requests to HR

09/23/2009

Employees who need FMLA leave don’t have to specifically say so. They just have to give enough information to let their employers know they may have a serious health condition. That’s why you need to train supervisors to let HR handle all leave requests involving health problems of any sort.

Warn employees: We’re monitoring your e-mail

09/21/2009

California employees have a constitutional right to privacy. That doesn’t mean, however, that employers can’t monitor e-mail sent to and from company computers and servers. The key: a policy that makes it clear that transmittals are not private.

Review privacy and surveillance policies in light of new California Supreme Court ruling

09/21/2009

The California Supreme Court has ruled in a case involving video camera surveillance and employee privacy rights. The court said employees do indeed have a right to considerable privacy at work, but that in this particular case the employer had acted reasonably and limited the surveillance to what was necessary under the circumstances.