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Key Differences in US and Canada Employment Laws

Canada employment laws can be quite different to their counterparts in the United States. US employers with operations in Canada need to be well-versed in these differences to stay in legal compliance on both sides of the border. Here are some of the big-picture differences of which to be aware. Canada Employment Laws: Minimum Employment […]

There’s No Two Ways About It: Two-Way Video Training Is Here!

“Video training has been around in some way for a very, very long time,” says David Stubenvoll, CEO and cofounder of Wowza Media Systems (www.wowza.com), a provider of media server and media workflow software. However, two-way video—a relatively new technology—is becoming increasingly popular in corporate training settings, he says. “With the Internet and with high-speed […]

Cigna’s $35M Settlement on 401(k) Fees Includes Investment Review

Cigna has agreed to settle for $35 million a class-action lawsuit brought by current and former employee participants in the health insurance company’s 401(k) plan, alleging they were charged excessive fees. As part of the settlement Cigna pledged to hire an independent consultant to monitor and suggest changes for the 401(k)’s stable value fund and its overall investment management. […]

Are You Creating “Thirsty” Learners Who Are Engaged in Training?

“There’s an age-old saying that ‘you can bring a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink,” says AmyK Hutchens, CEO of amyk inc. (www.amyk.com), a business strategy firm. Similarly, “you can’t force people to learn, but you can get them excited about it. You can get them thirsty. When they’re thirsty, they’ll drink.” […]

Special from Chicago—SHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition – ‘Hey, That Violates My Free Speech Rights!’ (Sorry.)

For companies in the private sector, the employer determines whether there is an expectation of privacy, says Attorney Jonathan Segal, and unwary employers may create the right to privacy if they are not careful. (Government employees generally have a constitutional right to a higher level of privacy than those in the private sector.) Employers can […]

Potential deal in works to fill NLRB seats

by Tammy Binford With the clock ticking on the term of the only confirmed member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), reports are circulating that President Barack Obama will send two new nominees to the Senate and abandon his two previous appointees, who face opposition because of their disputed recess appointment status. On July […]

Look out―here comes GINA!

by Craig L. Olivo and Hilary L. Moreira The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) prohibits employers from discriminating in any term or condition of employment based on employees’ or applicants’ “genetic information.” It also prohibits you from requesting, requiring, or purchasing genetic information (with narrow exceptions). GINA was passed by Congress out of concern that […]

NLRB and Social Media Policies: Are You in Violation?

Social media policies have come under scrutiny from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), primarily in relation to an employee’s rights to conduct concerted activity. This right is protected by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) Section 7. The problem is, the NLRB’s recent interpretations have been so broad that you may not even have […]

4 HR Misconceptions Your Managers Believe

Yesterday’s Advisor featured popular SHRM speaker and attorney Joseph L. Beachboard debunking 9 popular HR urban legends. Today, he debunks 4 more, plus we introduce the training program for those with no time to train. Beachboard made his remarks at SHRM’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, held recently in Chicago. He is a shareholder in the […]

13 Urban Legends of Employment Law Debunked

It’s time to debunk many of HR’s urban legends, says popular SHRM speaker, attorney Joseph L. Beachboard. These misplaced beliefs can only encourage laws Beachboard made his remarks at SHRM’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, held recently in Chicago. He is a shareholder in the Los Angeles and Torrance, California, offices of law firm Ogletree Deakins. […]