Policies / Handbooks

Essential Topics in Employee Handbooks

02/08/2014

HR Law 101: Your employee handbook should include statements on these topics: a welcoming letter from the CEO, rules and procedures, your employment policies, compensation and benefits, safety and health rules, an affirmative action statement and an acknowledgment receipt form …

Social media: To ban or not to ban?

02/06/2014

A recent Entrepreneur.com article cited a survey that found one of every five U.S. employees is blocked from accessing Facebook at work because of technical restrictions set up by their employers. It lists four reasons why this practice is a bad idea …

Best way to stop failure-to-promote lawsuits: Include qualifications in job announcements

02/05/2014

Want to avoid unnecessary lawsuits over whether an applicant is qualified for a job opening or promotion opportunity? Then make sure your job announcement includes specific information about minimum requirements so that those don’t become the basis for a lawsuit.

Lawsuit trend shows need for distracted driving policy

02/04/2014

Several million-dollar verdicts against employers last year—coupled with more states enacting bans on phone usage while driving—should convince HR that it needs an anti-distracted driving policy.

In court, will your handbook help or hurt? What judges consider

02/03/2014

When weighing the evidence in a lawsuit involving employee handbooks, courts consider many factors, including these.

Handbook Audits

02/02/2014

HR Law 101: If it’s been awhile since you last overhauled your employee handbook, you may be courting disaster. You should establish a regular revision schedule and update your handbook once a year or whenever significant statutory or other changes occur …

Alternative Dispute Resolution

02/01/2014

HR Law 101: In recent years, various forms of alternative dispute resolution have gained popularity. Mandatory arbitration in particular is attractive to employers because employees who sign arbitration agreements forfeit their right to sue in federal or state court …

Sexual Harassment: Sample Policy

02/01/2014

HR Law 101: A clearly written, thoughtful sexual harassment policy clarifies your position to everyone on your staff, including potential perpetrators and their victims. It also provides solid proof to judges and juries that you’re committed to eliminating and preventing sexual harassment. You may use this model policy or adapt it for your organization.

Want to muzzle all workplace gossip? Use training, not a blanket no-gossip policy

01/30/2014

You may not like the idea of employees grousing to each other in the breakroom about their knucklehead managers or the new health care plan. But don’t try to silence such behavior with a broad no-gossip policy. As this new case shows, you could run afoul of the NLRA.

Sudden flu outbreak requires HR action

01/28/2014

A few months ago, the CDC predicted that influenza wouldn’t be particularly severe this winter. Now it’s clear this flu season is much worse than expected. It’s time to implement plans to keep the flu from shutting down your business. Your plan should address three key concerns: