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HR Management

Keep your word: Reversing oral job offer can result in fraud claim

02/01/2001
Charles Cohen says he walked out of a job interview with an oral offer for a new job with an e-business service provider, a company that did work for his current …

Employment law by the numbers: Know which laws to ignore

02/01/2001
Business is booming and you’re adding staff. Along with those new workers, you may be picking up an alphabet-soup of new legal burdens that grant new rights to your employees, ADA …

Don’t shrug off same-race harassment

02/01/2001
Odis Ross’ boss at the county jail refused to call him Officer Ross. Instead, he addressed him as “black boy” and “nigger” and often referred to Ross’ wife, who is white, …

Leaving spot vacant won’t erase promotion bias

02/01/2001
Branford Dodoo, an African-American, was continually passed over for advancement at his place of employment. In one case, a promotion went to a younger white male who had been with …

Good planning limits fallout from FMLA misunderstandings

02/01/2001
Moira Kelly received an extension of her maternity leave, with one caveat. Her company informed her by letter that she was considered a “key employee” under the Family and Medical Leave …

Legality of arbitration depends where you are

02/01/2001
Before you require employees to arbitrate claims against you, find out whether it will stand up in court. A federal court in California recently barred a law firm from requiring …

Body Odor: Clear the Air Over Staff Dress Code

02/01/2001

Q. In the December 2000 issue, you discussed the topic of employees with body odor. We also have a staff member with body odor so bad that other staff members have complained and even threatened to leave the agency. The employee has been disciplined several times and required to go home without pay until she agrees to comply with the dress code. At what point can we legally terminate her? —A.S., Michigan

Check state law for drug testing policy

02/01/2001

Q. Is drug testing permitted under Maryland law? —L.R., Maryland

Rating system for job reassignments has to be scored fairly

12/01/2000
When a medical supply company reorganized its sales force, it rated existing employees on a “matrix” of skills. Although Deborah Goosby had won several sales awards, she was put in …

Court tosses vague OSHA rules

12/01/2000
Ignorance is usually no excuse for violating the law, but an appeals court recently ruled that federal safety standards on open ladders and platforms were too confusing. It threw out a …