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Labor Day 2011: September 5

Labor Day “an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers” according to the Department of Labor (DOL). Some historians contend that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first to a day to honor those “who […]

Not ‘Smoking Gun,’ But Almost as Bad

The worst-case scenario defending against discrimination claims is the “smoking gun.” (“Too old for this job” written on résumé .) In today’s Advisor, several of the somewhat lesser mistakes that can still shoot your defense to pieces. Fortunately smoking gun evidence is rare. What is common, however, is the type of evidence that, on its […]

Cheerio, David Brent!

Although we know that Robert California (played by James Spader) will be coming on board next season, we at F&H are still sifting through the other candidates. Who knows? Maybe the selection committee will be able to find a role for them, too. Today I’d like to talk about my favorite candidate from across the […]

Office of Special Counsel Aims at Fed Agencies with USERRA Project

A new project adds another layer of bureaucratic oversight about which federal employers should be aware when dealing with employees exercising their rights to job protection under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). The U.S. Office of Special Counsel has begun a three-year demonstration project expanding its role in enforcing military servicemember […]

Individual mandate declared unconstitutional in Circuit Court ruling

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals about 30 minutes ago issued a ruling that forcing Americans to purchase health insurance, a key element of the 2010 health reform law, is unconstitutional. The court however allowed the rest of the law stand (including preventive care, dependent care and preexisting condition mandates), overturning the lower court on […]

New OSHA Mobile App Helps Workers Prevent Heat Illness

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is going high-tech with its efforts to prevent heat-related illnesses. The agency announced on August 11 that it has released a free application for mobile devices that is aimed at helping workers and supervisors monitor the heat index at their work sites. Available in English and Spanish, […]

9 Ways to Maximize Comp in Tough Times

Here’s are Wudyka’s 9 top tips for 2011:  1. Reexamine Your Pay Program  The bad economy has produced a tremendous opportunity for us to improve our compensation plans, Wudyka says. For example, consider gainsharing, he suggests. It only pays out when company does better.  2. Reallocate Comp Dollars  Re-examine the way that you allocate comp […]

Using Attendance Policies to Minimize Chronic Absenteeism at Work

by Joseph C. Pettygrove Most employers recognize that there are times when employees have legitimate reasons to miss work, be tardy, or leave early. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to suspect an employee’s stated reason for an absence (or a recurring absence) is a lie. Take, for instance, a worker who is repeatedly “sick” the Monday […]

Rose-colored Glasses: Self-funding Is Looking Better for Smaller Firms

If you run a smaller firm and pay an insurance company to cover your workers’ health, one of your top concerns is probably how to control spiraling health insurance expenses. Just two or three major health expenditures can cause your insurer to radically increase your premiums. And if you’re located in a part of the […]