Archives

Employee Review Near FMLA Leave Time: A Slippery Slope

When you must defend your decision to fire an individual based solely on his poor performance, no one likes the idea of having to scale a circumstantial Mount Everest in a court of law. But a cohesive paper trail of evidence is critical when you are asked to establish legal footing and justify your adverse […]

“No Mosquitoes Allowed!” More Training Tips to Control Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can carry a number of dangerous and deadly diseases, including malaria, dengue and yellow fevers, several variations of encephalitis, and West Nile Virus. So protect yourself and your workers from insect-borne diseases by training them to take these precautions from EPA for controlling mosquitoes in your area. Remove Their Habitat Eliminate standing water in […]

Understanding Progressive Discipline

Employees are motivated to perform in several ways, some from positive reinforcement and some from negative reinforcement, which is where progressive discipline comes in. Another rationale for the use of progressive discipline is to instill a sense of fairness in employment termination decisions. When you let someone go, employees want notice in order for it […]

Responding to insufficient FMLA/CFRA medical certifications and suspected fraud

Most employers require medical certification when administering FMLA or CFRA leave of absence requests. But the certification process isn’t always as cut and dry, especially in California. For instance, what should you do if the documentation from a healthcare provider is vague, incomplete, or ambiguous? What can you legally do if the documentation doesn’t provide […]

Texting While Driving—Expensive (Not to Mention Dangerous)

Special from Atlanta–SHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition Your employees are doing compensable work on their handhelds after hours, says attorney Joseph Beachboard, and many of then are doing while they are driving. Beachboard, who is a shareholder in the Los Angeles and Torrence, California offices of national employment law firm Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & […]

High-profile Supporters to Push SEC for Higher Fiduciary Standards in Sept. 11 Meeting

Twelve well-known U.S. financial services industry figures will meet Sept. 11 with the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission to discuss their “Fiduciary Declaration,” which will urge Congress and the agency to heighten protection for those receiving investment advice. The declaration, to be signed by Paul Volcker, John C. “Jack” Bogle, Sheila Bair and […]

New Tennessee unemployment law makes changes helpful to employers

By Kara E. Shea Tennessee’s Unemployment Insurance Accountability Act, which takes effect September 1, amends the state’s unemployment statute in ways helpful to employers. For instance, the new law defines what constitutes “making a reasonable effort to secure work” for the purposes of unemployment insurance eligibility. It specifies that “making a reasonable effort to secure […]

“Buzz Off!” Train Outdoor Workers to Battle Mosquitoes

Give workers these safety recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on using safety repellents: Always follow the instructions on the product label. Apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing (as directed on the product label.) Do not use repellents under clothing. Never use repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin. […]

seizine opportunity

Seizing opportunities

Recently, I wrote about the importance of consistent, dedicated effort on a daily basis, quoting Woody Allen, “90 percent of success is showing up.” Some might ask, as they have, “Doesn’t it take more than having your butt in a chair?” Of course it does. Consider a student with perfect attendance. She’s at school each […]