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HR CSI: When Should You Investigate?

The first flaw in investigations is that they often don’t take place, says attorney Jonathan Segal. Today, he offers a clear list of circumstances that demand an investigation. In tomorrow’s issue, he’ll tell you when you might not want to investigate. Segal, a partner in the Philadelphia office of the WolfBlock law firm, offered his […]

Utah Supreme Court Issues Major Workers’ Comp Ruling

In a very recent decision handed down by the Utah Supreme Court, the court has substantially limited the protections afforded to employers under the workers’ compensation statute. This decision involved an industrial accident at a Chevron refinery near Salt Lake City. According to the facts of the written opinion, Chevron tried a new, less expensive […]

What Employers Need to Know When Employees Seek Loans, Withdrawals from Retirement Plans

(Updated Dec. 4, 2009) by Douglas R. Chamberlain When facing financial difficulties, employees often look to their retirement plans as a possible source of needed funds. Many plans offer participant loans or permanent withdrawals, the latter generally on a hardship basis. However, plan loans and withdrawals can jeopardize the employee’s retirement benefits, and both are […]

Obama Administration’s Changes at DOL, EEOC, and NLRB

The changes promised by the Obama administration are beginning to take hold at the federal agencies regulating the workplace. Typically, the change in leadership can be a strong predictor of the changes in policies and directions that will be pursued by a new administration. Not surprisingly, the changes that already have occurred suggest that we […]

Alternative Work Week Rules Revised

Recognizing that a tough economy requires greater flexibility, California recently amended Labor Code Section 511, the law that governs how employers may implement alternative work week (AWW) schedules. In addition to weekly overtime, California employers are required to pay nonexempt employees daily overtime if an employee works more than eight hours in a day. An […]

Economy Affecting Workers’ Comp Leaves?

Headlines heralding ever-increasing job loss numbers may motivate workers already out with legitimate work-related injuries to try to extend their workers’ compensation benefits, especially if their positions have been, or will be, eliminated.

Misery Loves Company; Plaintiffs Love Dunder Mifflin

Litigation value: $ 100,000 On the Blood Drive episode of The Office, Michael took things to the next level, or at least got creative in finding new ways to do something actionable, by stopping work and throwing a Valentine’s Day mixer. Sure, in the past Michael has said crude things, turned a blind eye to […]

Employee Who Was ‘Too Good’ Prompts Passionate Responses

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady Can an employee do his or her job too well? It shouldn’t be so, if our story by Andy Andrews “Goodbye, Mr. Foster” is any indicator. When we reran the story on a supposedly “slow news day” (January 2), it still garnered a number of passionate responses. Who […]

Blunting the Two-Edged Sword of Self-Audits

Yesterday’s Advisor revealed the dangers of self-incrimination during self-audits; today, we discuss what to do about it, and we introduce you to a unique self-audit system. There are steps you can take to protect the self-critical analysis and attorney-client privileges discussed in yesterday’s Advisor. Here’s what we recommend: Use outside counsel, if at all possible, […]