Policies / Handbooks

Court: Personal political tweet isn’t misconduct

11/30/2017

Unless an employee directly identifies her affiliation with her employer, most social media posts and tweets don’t violate company policies. Therefore, a state court recently concluded, they don’t constitute misconduct.

Respond as soon as employee complains about hostile environment

11/22/2017

When an employer responds to a complaint with an investigation and almost immediately fixes the problem, the lawsuit probably won’t go far.

4 ways to inject more oversight into flexible work arrangements

11/21/2017

Employers may perceive flex schedules as a key retention tool, but they’re no longer shy about insisting that day-to-day productivity can’t suffer because of an employee’s altered schedule.

Details matter when documenting promotions

11/15/2017

To counter discrimination in promotion claims, be sure you can show that the selected employee was a better candidate in as many ways as possible. That makes it much harder for a disappointed candidate to prove he was clearly better qualified.

Fingerprint time tracking? Check state law

10/26/2017

In recent years, employers have seized on biometric technologies such as fingerprint scanning as a way to control time-clock abuse. But before you rush out to buy the latest in technology, be sure to check with your attorney or your state labor department.

Master compliance challenges that follow natural disasters

10/18/2017

Unless planned and executed properly, employers’ emergency procedures may run afoul of many federal, state and local employment laws.

Nonsensical complaint? Move for quick dismissal

10/18/2017

It can be difficult and even unnerving when a former employee files a lawsuit full of obvious false and unsupportable allegations. But don’t ignore it. Work with your lawyers to get it dismissed as soon as possible.

After Minnesota Supreme Court ruling, new rules for whistleblowers

10/16/2017

A unanimous Minnesota Supreme Court decision has made it considerably easier for workers to file—and win—whistleblower lawsuits under the Minnesota Whistleblower Act.

Be alert for positive drug test results caused by meds used to treat disabilities

10/16/2017

Do you perform drug tests on employees suspected of being under the influence of intoxicants or illicit drugs? Be aware that some positive test results may be due to legal prescription drugs required for the treatment of disabilities.

Make sure your good records are dated, too

10/12/2017

When it comes to litigation, employers that keep meticulous performance records and can pinpoint exactly when they made important employment decisions typically fare better than those who keep sloppy records.