Archives

Ask the Expert: Is Need for Sleep Covered by the FMLA?

by Susan Hartmus Hiser, JD, The Murray Law Group, P.C. Question: Our attendance policy requires employees to call in all absences prior to the start of their shift, including absences due to approved intermittent leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Some employees have presented doctors’ notes exempting them from the call-in requirement […]

ban the box

What are ‘Ban the Box’ Laws?

“Ban the box” refers to the initiatives, which have gained widespread traction, by which laws are put into place that prohibit employers from asking questions of applicants regarding previous criminal history (and discriminating against them on the basis of their answer) too early in the hiring and recruiting process. These types of initiatives have been […]

Simulations: The Key to Preparing Rescue Teams for Emergencies

It’s well established that hands-on practice reinforces training content and helps participants perfect their skills before they are called upon to use those skills on the job. In the case of rescue teams, that practice can mean the difference between life and death. Today we take a look at two examples of simulation training in […]

Arizona Supreme Court upholds minimum wage, paid leave law

by Dinita L. James Gonzalez Law, LLC In a three-sentence order entered just before the close of business March 14, the Arizona Supreme Court rejected a constitutional challenge to the Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act, commonly known as Proposition 206. The unanimous ruling dashed the last remaining hope of business groups trying to block […]

A Culture of Harassment? What Went Wrong at Uber, Tesla

Several large employers, including Uber and Tesla, made headlines recently when female employees went public with allegations of sexual harassment in the workplace. They all described a culture where the harassment was systemic and ignored at every level—including Human Resources.

fear

How to Fix a Fear-Based Work Culture (Before It’s Too Late)

Fear-based work cultures are more common than you might think. In some cases, the culture stems from the top down, and HR leaders, despite their best efforts, are unable to make a dent in the systemic issue. However, in most cases, fear-based work cultures aren’t set in stone. Even the most unapproachable chief executives take heart when their culture receives negative reviews and publicity, and impacts their bottom line.

Wellness

Bill Takes Aim at EEOC Wellness Rules

Legislation approved by a House committee would largely negate the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) wellness program rules, which plan sponsors have criticized for adding a duplicative layer of regulation to earlier standards set by other agencies.

Texas

FMLA: Employees Can’t Change Facts to Fit Different Claims

The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals (which covers Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas) recently affirmed the dismissal of a former employee’s Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) retaliation claim. The court’s decision and reasoning provides further guidance to employers on the employee notice requirement under the FMLA and is likely to prove useful to employers defending FMLA and other federal claims.