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Policies / Handbooks

Plan now for administration’s possible DEI crackdown

02/03/2025
In his first week in office, President Trump issued a wide-ranging executive order designed to identify federal government agencies that have what are colloquially called diversity, equity and inclusion programs or policies. At first glance, most private-sector employers might not be concerned. But dig deeper, and the order reveals more.

Off-duty medical marijuana use may call for accommodation

01/15/2025
As more states legalize medical and other marijuana usage, employers must adjust their policies to conform to those new laws. That’s not an easy task.

Costco’s masterclass on responding to DEI backlash

01/15/2025
Recently, Costco’s board rejected a shareholder proposal aimed at rolling back its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Instead, the company doubled down on its commitment to making its workplaces inclusive and equitable.

Determine legitimacy of absence through call-off rules

01/15/2025
You expect employees to show up on time, as scheduled. But absences do happen, for many reasons. The only way to separate legitimate absences from frivolous or fraudulent ones is to require prior notice and a reason.

Handbook rules and enforcement remain crucial

01/15/2025
Rules that aren’t always enforced spell trouble. On the other hand, when employers provide clear rules spelled out in the handbook and enforce them, the chances of losing a discrimination case fall dramatically.

Stay on the right side of NLRA when designing your dress code

01/10/2025
The National Labor Relations Act specifically allows workers to wear buttons signifying their support for a labor union. How many buttons? Recent cases brought before the National Labor Relations Board, which enforces the NLRA, have raised that very question.

Manage a year’s worth of seasonal distractions

01/06/2025
Sure, the holidays are over—but January is simply the start of another year of holidays, vacations and seasonal celebrations that can divert employees’ attention from their work. Here are 12 unofficial “holidays” that staff will likely observe—even if they aren’t on the calendar.

U.S. workers take slightly dimmer view of DEI

12/02/2024
Just 52% of American workers surveyed by the Pew Research Center earlier this year said they consider DEI programs a good thing, compared to 56% in 2023.

Drug-free policy vs. legal marijuana: Call your lawyer!

10/25/2024
Can employers refuse to hire them or fire casual marijuana smokers if they test positive on a blood test? That’s the conundrum an Illinois employer recently faced when it wanted to enforce a zero-tolerance policy against drug users, including users of marijuana.

Ban numerical goals, quotas from efforts to diversify

10/15/2024
Studies show that employers with diverse workforces outperform homogenous organizations on such important measures as innovation, revenue and profitability. However, employers intent on fostering diversity must do it in a way that doesn’t discriminate against any specific group of applicants or employees.