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Pennsylvania

‘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.

PHRC regional office moves

02/02/2009

If you are planning to visit the Philadelphia regional office for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, make sure you have the correct address. The agency recently moved …

OSHA inspectors are at your door … Are you prepared?

02/02/2009

An unexpected visit from a government regulator such as OSHA is often unwelcome—and unsettling, too. If you have taken the time to prepare for an OSHA inspection, however, it need not be traumatic. Advance planning and preparation not only make the inspection proceed without difficulty, but also allow you to be in control.

What time off counts for the purpose of FMLA intermittent leave?

02/02/2009

Q. I told an employee who takes lots of FMLA intermittent leave that all his time out of the office (no matter what it was for) would count against his FMLA time. My VP told me I was wrong and that was absolutely not the law. Who is right?

Do we have to defend a third party whose negligence caused our worker’s injury?

02/02/2009

Q. One of our employees was badly injured when he tripped over equipment that had been left by our office building’s maintenance workers. Workers’ comp covered his medical bills and lost wages, but he also sued the building’s owners for negligence. Now we have a letter from the owners demanding that we defend them in the lawsuit and telling us we are responsible. How can that be? I thought we were protected by workers’ comp.

What should we have said—and say in the future—about an employee fired for theft?

02/02/2009

Q. We fired a part-time employee for stealing a gift card out of the trash. We have a policy against taking anything of value out of the garbage. The next day, his supervisor announced to everyone that the employee had been fired for theft. I don’t think it was appropriate to tell others the reason. Was it? And what should we say if someone calls for a reference?