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HR Management

Using insensitive nicknames can spell bias

10/01/2005
Issue: Some supervisors, particularly males, try to bond with employees by giving them nicknames.
Risk: When nicknames are insensitive to a protected class (race, ethnicity, etc.), they could trigger hostile-environment …

Know your ADA responsibilities for employees with cancer

09/01/2005
The EEOC published a Q&A document last month explaining when cancer is a “disability” under the ADA and how you should accommodate employees with cancer.
More than 1 million Americans …

EEOC revises definition of ‘timely’ discrimination charge

09/01/2005
To file a legal workplace discrimination claim with the EEOC, employees must show that the alleged discrimination occurred within a certain time frame or filing “threshold.” Now, the EEOC has revised …

Congress moves closer to association health plan

09/01/2005
This finally may be the year Congress authorizes association health plans, which would allow small businesses to participate in health insurance plans through trade associations that span state lines. The House …

Lure ‘passive’ job candidates with the right first impression

09/01/2005
Issue: Recruiting “passive” job candidates requires a different strategy than ones used to attract active job-seekers.
Benefit: Choose the right words in that initial contact to prevent quick rejections and …

Combat tardiness with progressive discipline

09/01/2005
Q. Some of our assistants are good employees, but they’re constantly late. What can we do to get them to come to work on time? —A.A., Virginia

Don’t waste money buying government forms or posters

09/01/2005
Several government agencies are alerting business owners that they don’t need to pay for most forms and posters they’re required to use and post in
their workplaces. Those documents are …

Analyze employee handouts for legally explosive content

09/01/2005
Issue: Ready-to-use employee training materials flood the Internet.
Risk: Your supervisors create liability risks by distributing videos, books or handouts without first vetting them for offensive content.
Action: Review …

Mandatory EAP referral is legal

09/01/2005

Q. In a previous issue of HR Specialist, you said that employers can’t force employees to visit a psychologist. Our Internet policy says that if we find employees accessing pornographic Web sites, they’ll receive a three-day suspension without pay and a mandatory referral to an EAP counselor. Can we require this? —A.C., Maryland

Look beyond SHRM for help in education, training

09/01/2005
Issue: When it comes to skills building, many HR specialists think only about the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Risk: SHRM is a great source, but HR pros shouldn’t …