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Pennsylvania

Comments on accent aren’t automatically discrimination

12/23/2014
Some people who speak English well still have thick accents. Asking for clarification or inquiring about the accent isn’t national-origin discrimination, as long as it’s not disrespectful.

No commission payment? Unemployment comp instead

12/23/2014
An employee who doesn’t receive the commissions he believes he is owed can quit and still receive unemployment compensation.

Aim high! You can strive for a more diverse workplace without breaking the law

12/23/2014
As long as you consider all candidates on their individual merits and not solely because of what sex, age, race or ethnicity they belong to, your efforts at diversity won’t get you in trouble.

HR staffing: Those who handle discipline shouldn’t have access to FMLA info

12/23/2014

If you have a large enough HR office, it makes good sense to keep the FMLA request and approval process separate from the disciplinary process. Doing so ensures that someone with expertise in FMLA administration handles the entire process. But there is an additional benefit.

More than a matter of style: Grooming rules can differ based on sex

12/23/2014
If you have a dress and grooming policy that sets out different rules for men and women, you aren’t necessarily setting yourself up for a sex discrimination lawsuit.

Starbucks customers to see a latte more ink

12/23/2014
In response to employee feedback, Starbucks has changed its employee appearance policy to allow employees to show more of their tattoos.

City of Brotherly Love rates high for LGBT rights

12/23/2014
Philadelphia scored a perfect 100 in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual rankings of American cities with local laws and policies that protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from discrimination.

Beware firing right after EEOC complaint

12/23/2014
Here’s a warning on discharge timing: If you happen to make the final termination decision right after the employee files an EEOC charge, timing alone may be enough to send the case to trial.

When employees miss meal breaks, know how to handle pay

12/05/2014
In many businesses, employees occasionally must work through their regularly scheduled meal breaks. When this occurs, employers must either provide another time slot for their breaks or pay employees for the time worked. To properly handle meal breaks, employers must have a system in place that allows them to know when an employee is working through a meal break so that the time can be credited properly.

Disaster and pandemic planning for employers: A primer

12/05/2014
Having even a basic plan in place will help if and when the unthinkable strikes.