Author: Mike Maslanka

Awake at Work: 35 Practical Buddhist Principles for Discovering Clarity and Balance in the Midst of Work’s Chaos

Employment law attorney Micheal Maslanka reviews Michael Carroll’s book Awake at Work: 35 Practical Buddhist Principles for Discovering Clarity and Balance in the Midst of Work’s Chaos. Maslanka offers a solution from a Harvard Business Review blog post for the problem of idiot compassion that Carroll identifies in the book. In  Awake at Work: 35 […]

NLRB Proposed Rules Would Streamline Unionization Process, Reducing Employers’ Time to Act

Wednesday’s Federal Register will feature a set of proposed amendments to National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) regulations that, if adopted, could significantly simplify the process wherein workers vote whether to unionize, reducing employers’ time to react to unionization efforts. According to a press release from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the proposed rules would […]

U.S. Supreme Court Building

Supreme Court Sets High Bar for Class Certification

by Brad Williams, Holland & Hart LLP The U.S. Supreme Court’s Dukes v. Wal-Mart decision is enormously consequential for employers, particularly those facing “bet-the-company” class actions involving allegations of widespread discrimination. In essence, the Court answered a number of outstanding procedural and interpretive questions involving the federal class-action device in such a way as to […]

U.S. Supreme Court Building

Supreme Court Provides Win for Employers in Wal-Mart Discrimination Lawsuit

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Wal-Mart, the nation’s largest private employer, in a massive lawsuit that has been called the largest employment class action in U.S. history. The class of plaintiffs in Wal-Mart Stores v. Dukes included approximately 1.5 million former and current female Wal-Mart employees seeking injunctive, declaratory, and monetary […]

Remembering the Gifts My Father Gave Me

This past Sunday was Father’s Day. Not surprisingly, it got me thinking about my dad. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do on Father’s Day? My dad, coincidentally, passed away almost 17 years ago to the day. So mid-June is a time when I tend to have him on my mind more than others. He […]

Hot List: New York Times Bestselling Paperback Business Books

The following is a list of the bestselling paperback business books as ranked by the New York Times on June 20. 1. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink. A look at what truly motivates us, and how we can use that knowledge to work smarter and live better. 2. […]

How to Match Millenials with Mentors: Part 2

Last month, Allison Duke discussed the unique aspects of the Millennial workforce and the benefits of having a traditional mentoring program for these workers. Since Millenials aren’t traditional workers, this month, she explores other ways of structuring your mentoring program, starting with . . . Reverse Mentoring With reverse mentoring, Millennials are matched with executives […]

The Rule Is ‘English only’! Capice?

By Lauren M. Cooper A much-debated issue is whether you may lawfully require employees to speak only English in the workplace. The simple answer is yes. This article will address the circumstances in which you may legally enforce an English-only policy and the potential legal risks that follow. Status Quo Ante Employers increasingly ask employees […]

Is Obesity a Disability? Jury’s Still Out, but It’s a Serious Matter

Even though there’s no definitive rule on whether obesity is a disability under the amended, more employee-friendly Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you should be careful about how you treat overweight and obese employees. One in every three Americans age 20 and up was obese between 2007 and 2008, and about the same percentage was […]

Survey Says: While Conditions Are Improving, There’s Still Work to Be Done

The American workforce is ever changing, with women now accounting for about half the work force as well as increased racial and ethnic diversity. Recently, CareerBuilder conducted a survey of  more than 1,300 workers from diverse segments — African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, women, workers with disabilities and Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender (LGBT) workers — to find out how […]