Policies / Handbooks

Case of the Week: Apply your dress and grooming policies consistently

03/24/2023

You probably have a policy that spells out your dress and grooming rules, which may limit certain employee clothing choices that might offend customers, clients or co-workers. But how you enforce that rule may mean the difference between winning quick dismissal of a discrimination lawsuit or a big jury award against your organization.

Fail-to-post fines grow to $659 per violation

03/24/2023

Fines have increased for failing to properly display compliance posters for Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the ADA and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. Effective March 23, the fines increased from $612 per violation to $659 per violation.

10 crucial reminders about your records policy

03/08/2023

Think managing and protecting your HR and business records is easy? Think again. Ideally, you already have a records-management policy in place. An up-to-date records policy is vital if your company has moved to remote or hybrid work and not made updates. Here are 10 points to keep in mind when drafting remote-records policies.

Medical marijuana and positive drug tests: Employer rights

03/06/2023

As more states legalize medicinal and recreational use of marijuana, employers have to grapple with confusing and seemingly contradictory rules.

Revise handbook to address remote harassment

02/21/2023

If you haven’t reviewed your employee handbook in the last year or so and updated it to reflect new laws and important HR trends, you should do so soon. Otherwise, you’re probably working with an outdated and legally risky document that may do more harm than good. Here are some proactive handbook changes to consider making now to address harassment issues that can arise when employees work remotely.

Management fundamentals: No-fault attendance dangers

02/10/2023

Supervisors new to management often love the idea of a no-fault attendance policy. Such policies are meant to minimize disruption caused by unplanned absences by discouraging workers from calling off. But no-fault policies can trip up inexperienced supervisors who don’t understand how a seemingly simple approach to unplanned absences can trigger federal or state discrimination lawsuits.

Accommodate hairstyles based on religious beliefs

02/03/2023

Discrimination lawsuits involving hairstyles are all the rage—as are new laws and regulations protecting natural and ethnic hairstyles.

5 policy tips for managing workplace romance

01/31/2023

Whether co-worker relationships develop on the shop floor or over Zoom, they pose the same risks for HR professionals charged with maintaining workplace harmony and limiting legal liability.

Protect your company with a sound termination policy

01/18/2023

Terminating employees, particularly involuntarily, is a part of the job that most business owners and HR managers dread. Firing or laying off staff members is a tough decision, but it sometimes needs to be done due to misconduct or business changes. And when it does, it’s vital to have a legally sound termination policy in place.

Remote worker checklist: Ensure your company has essential policies in place

01/04/2023

While remote work has skyrocketed in the past few years, many companies still need to institute a telecommuting policy. This is crucial, according to Anniken Davenport, Esq., an HR Specialist legal contributor.