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HR Management

Protecting workers from harassment isn’t a ‘one and done’ deal

11/01/2004
Your best defense against a hostile environment claim is proof that you took quick and effective steps to stop the hostility. But courts won’t look kindly on your efforts if you …

Quiet a legal storm: Close during weather emergencies

11/01/2004
The hurricanes that battered Florida and the Gulf states this summer pushed an HR question to the forefront: Can employers require employees to report to work during an ordered evacuation or …

Tell employees to read each form; don’t summarize

11/01/2004
Issue: The danger of telling employees “Don’t bother reading that; it probably doesn’t apply to you.” Risk: Courts may view your action as a cover-up, sparking …

The new OT rules: You’ve got questions; we’ve got answers

11/01/2004
If you’re like most HR professionals, you’ve been scrambling in recent months to pull your organization in line with the Labor Department’s new rules defining …

‘Creative workplace’ defense won’t beat harassment suit

11/01/2004
Issue: A court ruling said sitcom writers have a “creative necessity” to engage in overtly sexual banter.
Risk: While the TV network was allowed to use this defense in a …

Handle sticky-fingered employees with kid gloves

11/01/2004
Issue: HR must walk a legal tightrope when employees are suspected of in-house theft. Risk: A bungled theft investigation increases your organization’s …

Don’t defy government emergency warnings

11/01/2004
During this year’s fierce hurricane season, several Florida businesses courted legal trouble by requiring employees to report to work in the midst of …

Retaliatory job reference is illegal even if a person’s hiring was unlikely

11/01/2004
When you provide references about former employees, keep quiet about whether the ex-employee had sued the company in the past. And train managers to do the same. Spilling the beans about …

EEOC starts cracking down on teen-employee harassment

11/01/2004
Now’s a good time to make sure your organization is complying with child labor laws and doing all it can to
prevent harassment against young employees.
Why? With sexual …

Keep an open mind in investigations; juries will punish ‘kangaroo courts’

10/01/2004
Keep an open mind in investigations;
juries will punish ‘kangaroo courts’
When investigating a sexual harassment complaint, don’t rush to judgment, and don’t allow supervisors to sidestep any steps …