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Minnesota

Check post-Layoff rehire policies for disparate-Age impact

07/08/2008
In tough economic times, organizations sometimes have to make hard choices—such as whether to temporarily lay off employees. Of course, you’ll hope to ramp up staffing when the economy rebounds. That’s when you’ll need to be extra careful. If you bar workers you laid off from being rehired, you may be courting trouble …

You get to decide what punishment fits the crime

07/08/2008
When it comes to disciplining employees who break company rules, courts like to keep their hands off employer decisions—as long as everyone who breaks a particular rule receives the same punishment. But courts rarely have problems with the rules companies create and the punishments companies assign to particular rules …

Make sure hiring criteria include objective elements

07/08/2008
There’s no need to cut out all the subjective factors that go into a hiring decision. Instead, make sure you also include objective measures that can be easily compared, such as education, experience and specific skills. That way, you are more likely to win a discrimination challenge …

Good news: You can rely on EEOC mailing date—Plus 3 days—For time limit

07/08/2008
When the threat of a lawsuit looms, it’s good to know when the threat has finally passed. So when you find out that the EEOC has dismissed a case as unwarranted by sending the employee his 90-day, right-to-sue letter, you do what the regulations seem to imply you can safely do …

Make sure two representatives are present during termination meetings

07/08/2008
Nothing spurs a lawsuit like a discharge, and such cases often boil down to who said what, and when. That’s why it’s wise to have at least two management-level representatives present at all termination meetings—perhaps one supervisor and one HR rep. If the termination leads to litigation, the two people can testify about what happened …

Union claims Big Sky broke contract when it flew the coop

07/08/2008
A group of former employees has filed suit against Big Sky Airlines and its parent company, Minneapolis-based MAIR Holdings, alleging wrongful termination and breach of contract …

Roseville company sued for pocketing health insurance funds

07/08/2008
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has filed suit against Catherine Ellingen, owner and president of Plywood Industries in Roseville, over violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) …

Employee should have given firm a chance to stop harassment

07/08/2008
Preston Kelley began working for Taher Acquisition Corp. in October 2006. Approximately three months later, Kelley’s supervisor, Mark Good, kicked him in the buttocks, laughed and blew kisses at him. Kelley reported the incident to the company’s operations manager …

Companies try doctors’ bonuses to reduce employee depression

07/08/2008
A group of Minnesota employers is piloting a pay-for-performance program to combat employee depression. The program is sponsored by the Buyers Health Care Action Group (BHCAG) …

Sign of the times? Schools consider 4-Day week

07/08/2008
The MACCRAY School District, which serves the towns of Maynard, Clara City and Raymond, has floated a plan to cut Monday classes to save on fuel prices …