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Pennsylvania

Begin accommodations process after job offer

02/02/2009

Many disabled applicants choose not to reveal their disabilities during the selection process and don’t reveal the need for reasonable accommodations until after they have been offered a job. Don’t ignore that request, or you could wind up in court for violating the ADA.

New tax break encourages subsidized bicycle commuting

02/02/2009

Don’t be surprised if your employees who are bicycling enthusiasts approach HR about a bicycle commuting benefit recently passed into federal law. The Bicycle Commuter Act allows employers of every size to deduct the cost of subsidizing bicycle commuting from their federal taxes.

Tell managers to document hypersensitive worker’s behavior

02/02/2009

Some employees are more sensitive to criticism than others and may also be more likely to file hostile work environment lawsuits. Managers with difficult subordinates would do well to track the behavior. It can be used in court to show that those subordinates have a skewed perception of the workplace.

Religious accommodations hinge on worker’s sincerity

02/02/2009

When employees ask to be excused from working on the Sabbath, forget about questioning whether their religion actually requires the accommodation. What matters is that the employee sincerely holds the belief—not the source of the employee’s belief.

Rehabilitation Act applies to county court systems

02/02/2009

The 3rd Circuit has ruled that county court systems can be sued for disability discrimination under the federal Rehabilitation Act because the domestic relations divisions of the county court systems received federal funding.

‘Wage adjustments’ may be trend to watch

02/02/2009

These difficult economic times could get worse. As you think about your labor budget, consider that many Pennsylvania employers are already taking steps to reduce staff. Some are cutting the wages of those who are lucky enough to keep their jobs. This last tactic even has a new name—“wage adjustment.”

Next up on the nightly news, perhaps a little less drama

02/02/2009

The ongoing soap opera that is Philadelphia news broadcasting seems to be winding down. Former WCAU-TV news anchor Vince DeMentri has settled for an undisclosed sum for a sex discrimination complaint…

Peach Bottom nuke plant fined for sleeping guards

02/02/2009

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has levied a $65,000 fine on Chicago-based Exelon Nuclear, after someone videotaped sleeping guards at its Peach Bottom nuclear plant and turned it over to the media.

Bus service means no more excuses for stranded workers

02/02/2009

Thanks to a new program, Lancaster County workers no longer will have an excuse for refusing to work odd hours. The Red Rose Transit Authority is trying to expand the number of low-income riders who use the company’s van service to get to and from work before or after regular bus hours.

Elementary school teacher charged with drug offenses

02/02/2009

Williamsport Area School District elementary school teacher Beth Camp faces charges after police seized 72 pounds of marijuana from her Lycoming Township home.