Policies / Handbooks

Setting a smart and legally sound attendance policy: 8 do’s and don’ts

06/19/2014

You can avoid legally dangerous disciplinary mistakes by ensuring that supervisors understand the following do’s and don’ts.

How your handbook may violate the NLRA

06/09/2014

The National Labor Relations Act guarantees employees the right to discuss working conditions and organize. The language contained in your employee handbook can put you on the wrong side of the law.

Employers crack down on social media abuse

06/05/2014

More than 70% of employers have disciplined employees for misuse of social media. Daniel Ornstein of the Proskauer law firm outlines ways to stop the headaches before they happen.

What to do when a co-worker dies

05/27/2014

It would be futile for managers to expect the colleagues of a deceased employee to go about business as usual. Here’s how HR should respond.

What do we need to know before implementing a mandatory dress code?

05/23/2014

Q. Are we free to institute any mandatory dress code that we’d like?

Can employees moonlight while out on medical leave?

05/12/2014

It may seem wrong for an employee who is out on disability leave to work another job. But don’t be so quick to fire her for lying about her medical condition—it could backfire in the form of a disability or retaliation claim.

Who’s in charge of implementing corporate diversity initiatives?

05/09/2014

HR is responsible for running most American employers’ diversity initiatives, according to a new survey by the Society for Human Resource Management.

What danger lurks in your (possibly outdated) handbook?

04/30/2014

Many companies fail to align their handbooks with the realities of their business. As a result, they end up with a handbook that does more harm than good. Here’s what they should include.

Is there a reason not to limit smoking breaks?

04/23/2014

Q. Two of our employees go outside to smoke almost every hour for about 10 minutes. Our other employees are starting to complain. Do we have to allow these 10-minute rest periods every hour?

Leave off job application any language that limits time frames for employee to sue