Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
by Catherine Moreton Gray Retaliation claims—even unfounded ones—are a perpetual concern following adverse employment actions. But there are steps employers can take to protect themselves. Catherine Moreton Gray, BLR’s senior managing editor for human resources and compensation, has some tips from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
by Michele L. (Warnock) Brott What business doesn’t value its customers? After all, the customer is always right. The trouble is, customers are people, too, and people come with a variety of biases and bad behavior that can create issues for employers. In other words, racist, sexist, or discriminatory customers can present a liability problem […]
The U.S. Supreme Court’s March 1 ruling in a Vermont case relieves self-insured employers from the obligation to report claims data to state governments that have established databases reflecting healthcare use and costs for citizens. The reach of the ruling extends beyond Vermont to all self-insured plans. “It absolutely has national implications,” Linda J. Cohen, […]
Yesterday’s Advisor explored how legal marijuana use and drug interviews and policies mix. Today, more from Tim Thoelecke on that topic, plus some handy tips. By Tim Thoelecke Marijuana is mainstream, or trying to be. Indeed, many have made the assumption that marijuana is no longer the danger that we once thought it was. Oddly, […]
By Susan Prince, JD, MSL, Legal Editor at BLR In yesterday’s Advisor, Susan Prince, JD, MSL, and legal editor at BLR®, began to discuss the ins and outs of forming and maintaining a joint employment environment. Today, we’ll hear what she has to say about joint employment and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). […]
By Stephen W. Jones, JD The 8th Circuit—which covers Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota—recently held that presenting a doctor’s note to her employer entitled a pregnant employee to the protections of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the employer’s decision to fire her on the last day of […]
By Ryann E. Ricchio, JD A recent decision from the 7th Circuit Court—which covers Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin—presents employers with an interesting analysis and a good review of the various theories and methods of proof for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) claims. The 7th Circuit affirmed a lower court’s decision in favor of the employer, […]
What records should employers keep about their employees in relation to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? Who are employers permitted to disclose medical information to under each law?
By Rebecca V. Nellis, MPP, Chief Mission Officer A cancer diagnosis often catches people by surprise. When the person with cancer is one of your employees, knowing how to react is not intuitive. The truth is, when an employee discloses their diagnosis to you, they are looking for direction. Your next steps will be remembered […]
By Susan Schoenfeld, JD A report recently published by ComPsych, an employee assistance provider, shows more than 10 percent of U.S. employees are on Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave at any given time.