Month: November 2015

Dealing with mental disabilities in the workplace

by Jonathan Mook These days, the news is filled with stories of returning veterans who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental impairments and have problems adjusting to civilian life at home and in the workplace. The issues employers face when dealing with veterans and other employees with mental disorders were put on […]

2015 Recruiting Survey

Each month, BLR® conducts a nationwide survey of human resources professionals to learn about policies and practices in HR throughout the country. This month’s survey about recruiting is sponsored by SilkRoad.

The 3 Essential Behaviors I Look for in My Team Members

A few weeks ago, our company held its annual strategic planning session. In a meeting of our executive team, a consultant we work with shared an insight that I want to pass along. What did he say that I found so profound? He told us that successful leaders “make it clear which behaviors are most […]

The 3 Essential Behaviors I Look for in My Team Members

A few weeks ago, our company held its annual strategic planning session. In a meeting of our executive team, a consultant we work with shared an insight that I want to pass along. What did he say that I found so profound? He told us that successful leaders “make it clear which behaviors are most […]

What is the WARN Act?

Closing down a plant or laying off employees is a big decision for an organization, and it directly impacts the lives of all of the employees involved. Giving employees ample notice of such a transition is the idea behind the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.

Two OSHA Settlements Remind Employers—Train for Workplace Violence!

In most arenas—including training—it pays to learn from mistakes, whether they are yours or someone else’s. Two companies drew the attention of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and training on workplace violence was a part of each settlement. Read on for the facts. Two healthcare organizations have agreed to […]

Discrimination Case at California State University Gets SLAPPed Down

By Beth A. Kahn and Ashley A. Escudero The California Court of Appeal recently ruled on whether a university’s tenure review process can be construed as “protected activity” and therefore subject to a special legal procedure. Their decision came in the wake of an assistant professor’s claim of national origin discrimination when he was denied […]

California’s Data Breach Notification Law Expands

By Holly Jones, JD Always the trailblazer when it comes to employment law, California’s data breach notification law was the first of its kind. As data security issues continue to dominate the business world, the state’s laws are adapting as well. In the coming year, the law will include definitions of terms and specific formatting […]

California Employer Abandons Appeal—A Costly Mistake!

By Michael Futterman and Jaime Touchstone An employee filed a wage claim against her former employer for unpaid commissions and was awarded nearly $30,000 by the labor commissioner. The employer appealed the decision to the superior court … but then withdrew the appeal. The employee then sought reimbursement of the amounts she had expended in […]

In California, Not All Arbitration Agreements Are Created Equal

By Marianne C. Koepf Over the past several years, many California employers have implemented dispute resolution programs and imposed arbitration agreements as a condition of employment—after all, it’s less expensive than litigation! But as the California Court of Appeal recently explained, while arbitration agreements are generally valid, an employer must understand its limits.