• The HR Specialist - Print Newsletter
  • HR Specialist: Employment Law
  • The HR Weekly
Connection failed: SQLSTATE[HY000] [2002] No such file or directory

Texas

OK to fire older worker despite ageist comments

12/24/2014
It’s never a good idea to talk about older workers as “dinosaurs” or wish for “new blood.” When a boss say things like that, and if the em­­ployee is demoted or fired shortly afterward, the statements can end up being used as direct evidence of age discrimination.

What religious accommodations must I provide?

11/03/2014
Q. I have more than 100 employees, and they belong to many different religious faiths. Many of them devoutly adhere to daily rituals they hold sacred. What accommodations, if any, must I provide for their religious practices?

Is it OK to substitute paid leave for FMLA leave?

11/03/2014
Q. May an employee substitute paid leave for unpaid FMLA leave?

How far do we have to go to provide work when an employee returns from FMLA leave?

11/03/2014
Q. I am the owner of a security services company. One of my rank-and-file employees is currently on leave from work under the FMLA. Due to an economic downturn, I have been forced to reduce the number of shifts available to my employees. If there is no longer a shift available for this employee when he returns from FMLA leave, am I be required to find or create a shift for him?

IRS: Value of ‘free’ parking may be taxable fringe benefit

11/03/2014
A recent Information Letter issued by the IRS on the taxation of employer-provided parking, although noncontroversial, serves as a useful reminder that “free” parking for employees may result in taxes for both the employee and the employer.

EEOC: BNSF violated ADA

11/03/2014
Fort Worth-based BNSF Railroad faces charges it withdrew a conditional job offer to an applicant for a security position.

Oil firms must pay millions for required pre-work meetings

11/03/2014
Oil and natural gas giant Shell Oil and refiner Motiva have agreed to pay $4,460,764 to 2,677 workers after the U.S. Department of Labor determined the companies failed to pay workers for required pre-shift meetings.

Employer controls which accommodation to offer

11/03/2014
Some disabled employees seem to think that the accommodation they prefer must be the one they get as long as it meets the definition of “reasonable.” They’re wrong.

Consider job restructuring as disability accommodation

11/03/2014
These days, many employers are short-staffed, and feel like they can’t add anyone to payroll. Even so, it’s no surprise that disabled employees sometimes ask for accommodations that include providing help to do their jobs. Fortunately, employers don’t have to hire more staff to comply with the ADA.

Shoot for dismissal if employee’s harassment case is based on only one comment

11/03/2014
Courts don’t want to spend all their time mediating minor workplace disputes. Judges aren’t HR professionals and don’t want to run your business. Keep that in mind the next time an employee files a lawsuit based on one or two allegedly hostile incidents. Chances are, the case will be dismissed.