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Pennsylvania

Don’t let bias complaint stop legit discipline

11/01/2011
Here’s an important reminder for HR professionals handling em­­ployee discipline: If the disciplinary process is well under way—and you believe that the proposed discipline is fair, reasonable and based on facts—there’s no need to stop the process just because the employee files an internal discrimination complaint.

NLRB: You may discipline for many employee online postings

10/27/2011
Treading carefully on today’s uncertain social media terrain, many employers might hesitate to punish employees for posting workplace comments online. But the National Labor Relations Board recently found in several scenarios that employers didn’t violate the National Labor Relations Act when they terminated or disciplined the employees.

In Pittsburgh, HIV test and pulled offer prompt ADA suit

10/27/2011
Pittsburgh-based Capital Healthcare Solutions faces a disability discrimination suit after it rescinded a job offer to an HIV-positive applicant. The EEOC sued on the applicant’s behalf, claiming Capital Healthcare rescinded its job offer solely on the basis of the man’s disability …

Will hiring aliens cost PA businesses their licenses?

10/27/2011
Pennsylvanians who knowingly hire illegal immigrants would lose their professional licenses under a bill being considered by the Pennsylvania Legislature. The “one-strike-and-you’re-out” law would yank licenses for first-offense violations.

Accommodations offer cuts unemployment claim

10/27/2011
Employees who quit for medically related reasons can sometimes collect unemployment compensation if they are still ready and able to work elsewhere. However, to claim that medical reasons required resigning, employees have to prove the employer knew about but didn’t accommodate their medical problems.

Loose lips lead to liability when word of alleged employee wrongdoing leaks out

10/27/2011

Pennsylvania allows lawsuits for portraying someone in a false light. For employers, that means you can be sued for publicizing information relating to discipline that turns out to be inaccurate. Thus, it makes sense to discuss discipline only with those who have a need to know.

Grocer, baker, Sabbath-taker embroiled

10/27/2011
A Dauphin County man who delivered Tastykakes to Giant Food stores is suing both the Tasty Baking Co. and the grocery store chain for religious discrimination after his contract was terminated. But Giant says it had no relationship with the deliveryman and wants to be removed from the suit.

Can FMLA leave be involuntary? Court punts

10/27/2011
A federal court hearing an FMLA interference case has sidestepped deciding whether it is legal for an employer to place an employee on involuntary FMLA leave.

3rd Circuit takes dim view when employees appeal decisions in frivolous lawsuits

10/26/2011
Good news for employers vexed by employees’ repetitious and frivolous lawsuits: If a trial court does a good job explaining why a case should be dismissed, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals probably won’t grant an appeal.

Be prepared to show business necessity if ­hiring rule excludes members of protected class

10/26/2011

Hiring rules that end up excluding many applicants who belong to a protected class can spell big trou­ble. That’s because if the rule has a disparate impact on any particular protected class, it may be invalid and could become the basis for a lawsuit. At a minimum, be prepared to show that the rule is based on business necessity.