Policies / Handbooks

Return to work: Revise policies, procedures

05/19/2020

As states slowly lift their shutdown orders, employees are returning to the workplace. But you can’t just swing your doors open. Every process in your organization needs to be rethought, because each step carries potential safety and legal risks.

Formalize remote work with telecommuting guidelines and agreement

05/08/2020

Now is the time to start bringing order to the telecommuting process. Here are some guidelines, including a sample telecommuting agreement.

#MeTooLate? Policy change won’t always stop lawsuits

04/23/2020

When the #MeToo movement exposed pervasive sexual harassment in corporate America, the board of directors at McDonald’s implemented anti-harassment policies that went far beyond what the law requires. Too bad that wasn’t enough to prevent what could prove to be a massive harassment lawsuit.

Back to basics: FLSA issues during the coronavirus crisis

03/23/2020

Your responsibilities under the Fair Labor Standards Act haven’t been canceled during the COVID-19 crisis. If you’ve sent employees home to work and some of those employees are nonexempt, you have a problem—tracking their work hours under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Here’s what you need to know about the FLSA.

CROWN: After Oscars, hairstyle laws heat up

02/27/2020

“Hair Love,” winner of the 2020 Academy Award in the Best Animated Short Film category, has shined a spotlight on legislation that affects employers’ grooming policies.

With EEOC on a roll, enforce your policies

02/20/2020

The EEOC has been active recently, addressing a wide variety of workplace harassment and discrimination cases. Here’s a sampling.

OK to expect better behavior from managers

02/06/2020

While a subordinate might be excused for a minor rule breach, his supervisor could legitimately be disciplined for breaking the same rule. Just make sure your handbook outlines this greater expectation.

Prepare workplace for coronavirus pandemic

01/30/2020

It’s too soon to tell if the coronavirus outbreak that started in China will become a worldwide pandemic, but public health officials are bracing for the worst. Prudence says employers should start planning now in case the virus starts spreading in the U.S.

Clear harassment policies, reporting procedures protect both victims and employers

01/15/2020

Employers sometimes assume that the safest course of action is to fire any employee accused of harassment. But that can be a painful choice if the employee is hard to replace or is otherwise a good worker.

In San Antonio, ‘English-only’ rule exposed even more bias