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Policies / Handbooks

Scheduling summer vacations in the most fair and efficient way

02/01/2008

A reader of the Forum section of HR Specialist posed this question: “We’re going to be incredibly busy this summer. What’s the best way to schedule vacations without employees complaining?” Here’s how some HR professionals replied …

Setting policies for covering employees’ electronic communications

02/01/2008
Q. What areas should we cover in our electronic communications policy?

Harassment policy should have several ways to complain

02/01/2008

Your organization probably has a sexual harassment policy and provides training on how it works. But does your policy give employees more than one way to lodge a complaint? It should. Here’s why …

A better term for ‘Probationary’ periods

02/01/2008

Q. Our company has an initial 90-day probationary period for all new employees. Our employee handbook clearly describes the probationary period and also contains an introduction stating that the company has the right to terminate its employees at any time with or without cause. Our attorney recently informed us that the two provisions may be inconsistent and recommended that we delete the handbook’s reference to a probationary period. Should we follow her advice? …

Minnesota Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace Act

02/01/2008
Minnesota’s Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace Act (DATWA) limits employers’ ability to test employees and independent contractors for illegal drugs and alcohol. While DATWA does not require employers to perform drug testing, it governs the process if employers elect to do so …

The 7 Most Dangerous Errors in Employee Handbooks

01/28/2008

An employee handbook can be the foundation of employee performance and a shield against lawsuits—or it can be a ticking time bomb that confuses employees and strips away your legal defenses. It all depends on how well it’s written and put to use.

Ready, fire, aim: Grocery clerk stops shoplifter, loses job

01/15/2008

File this one under “no good deed goes unpunished.” Michigan grocery clerk John Schultz says he lost his job after trying to thwart the getaway of an alleged shoplifter. The firing offense? Touching a customer …

What to do when you suspect an employee is stealing from the company

01/08/2008

Few HR dilemmas are as sticky as dealing with an employee accused of stealing from the company. Here’s how to handle the situation with care, making sure your organization doesn’t overstep its bounds and expose itself to liability.

Even ‘Secondhand’ porn can create an illegally hostile environment

01/08/2008

Any presence of pornography in the workplace can spark expensive, reputation-draining lawsuits. You need a policy of zero tolerance: No adult material anywhere, anytime — not on office computers, in e-mails, on videotapes or DVDs.

The dreadful dozen: The 12 worst absence excuses ever

01/08/2008

CareerBuilder.com recently asked 2,929 hiring managers and HR pros to name the lamest excuses they had ever heard for missing work. Who knew America’s work force was so fragile—or creative? Maybe some innovative strategies can stem the tide of absenteeism.