Author: Northern Exposure

Victims of domestic or dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking protected against bias

by Edward Sisson As an employer, you know that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, or national origin. You also know that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. What you may not know is that those federal […]

Only compromise will pull us from cliff’s edge

by Dan Oswald Have you ever been in a meeting where two executives face off, each on the opposite side of a critical issue? You watch the debate like you would a tennis match, with each participant knocking the issue back to the other side. As they volley back and forth, the debate picks up […]

Rocking around The Office tree

Litigation Value: the cost of a new iPod for your office Secret Santa = considerably less now than in Season 2 (depending on the model); potential liability for Scranton holiday antics over the last nine seasons = an obscene amount; the countless hilarious and heart-warming moments of The Office Christmas episodes = priceless. As we are […]

Once ‘Moore’ with feeling: ‘Twas the Month of December—Again!

by Vanessa L. Goddard ‘Twas the month of December, we’re early this year, To plan against surprises as Christmas draws near. In the past HR handled parties and drinking. “What could possibly happen?” you might be thinking. Our vets have come home this year—to their positions. We’ve worked with our employees’ many transitions. Taken care […]

It’s firing time again

by Al Vreeland I report from the center of the Southeastern Conference (SEC)—where the arrival of winter means it’s firing time. Four of 14 SEC head football coaches have been sacked, and regardless of your tailgating preference, their terminations provide lessons on how to gracefully handle the exit of your top executives. Penthouse to outhouse […]

How HR can help employees overwhelmed by holiday stress

by Michael G. McCourt We now are fully involved in the crush of festivities and holiday shopping that traditionally mark the beginning of the sprint to New Year’s Eve. This is the season of peace on earth and good will toward our fellow man, right? Not always. A Challenging Season The holidays have the uncanny […]

New Maine law on independent contractors goes into effect December 31

by Peter D. Lowe Maine employers need to pay attention to a new Maine law on the definition of “independent contractor” that goes into effect December 31. Legislative Document 1314, passed in Maine earlier this year, outlines two sets of conditions that must be in place for an individual to qualify as an independent contractor […]

January 1 marks major deadline for North Carolina E-Verify law

by Richard L. Rainey North Carolina’s law requiring employers and local governments to use the federal E-Verify system when hiring new employees is taking effect in phases. January 1 is the next effective date. The requirement to use E-Verify begins January 1 for employers with at least 100 but fewer than 500 employees in North […]