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HR Management

When bias goes companywide, class-action lawsuits will follow

02/01/2002
Two recent rulings illustrate how more workers are seeking, and winning, class-action status in charges of companywide discrimination. Case 1. In December, a federal court in Illinois paved the way …

FMLA AND HOLIDAY PAY, PART II

02/01/2002

In last month’s Business Talk column, a subscriber asked about holiday pay for workers taking leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Several of you asked us to elaborate …

Don’t be tempted by corporate ministry services

02/01/2002

Q. Since Sept. 11 and due to the economic doldrums, some of our employees have not been the same emotionally. We’ve tried to be patient and understanding, but they seem to need something else. We’ve heard that some companies are contracting with corporate ministry services. Is this practice legal or advisable? —S.S., Virginia

Employee or contractor? Failing to check can double damages

01/01/2002
Bell Atlantic Corp., now Verizon, hired drivers for its senior executives. While some drivers were considered Bell employees, others were independent contractors paid a flat hourly rate. They had to carry …

Don’t invite EEOC to fish through your files

01/01/2002
When dealing with the federal government, sometimes too much compliance can get you in trouble. What happened? When the Equal Employment Oppor-tunity Commission (EEOC) got a complaint about racial discrimination …

Sidestep liability when releasing information on ex-employees

01/01/2002
Wal-Mart fired truck driver Joseph Tracz after he tested positive for drugs. When he applied for another job, Tracz signed an authorization form allowing Wal-Mart to release his past drug tests. …

Evacuation plan? New guide helps you avoid ADA complaints

01/01/2002
If you’re revamping your workplace evacuation plans in the wake of Sept. 11, check out new guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The problem: In determining who …

Treat SSA ‘No Match’ Letters Separately From I-9 Issues

01/01/2002

It’s not unusual for employers to receive "no match" letters from the Social Security Administration (SSA) stating there is a discrepancy …

Don’t bury your rights in fine print

01/01/2002
When a Dunkin’ Donuts customer stormed away after an exchange with sales clerk Richard Ferguson, a supervisor followed and talked with him out of Ferguson’s earshot. A few days later, Ferguson …

Update safety priorities to cut injuries, costs

01/01/2002
Companies typically get a return on investment of $3 for every dollar they spend improving workplace safety. But new research shows many companies place too little priority on accident causes that …