Author: HR Hero

New FMLA regulations explained

A special issue of HR Hero Line, a free weekly e-zine from HR Hero and employment law attorneys who are part of the Employers Counsel Network, took an in-depth look at the new FMLA regulations that go into effect January 16 and what they mean to employers. “10 key changes in new FMLA regulations” by […]

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 November 24. 1. The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression by Amity Shales. A reinterpretation of the New Deal and the Great Depres­sion. 2. The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by […]

‘Tis the Season to Hire Seasonal Workers

It’s easy (and common) for retailers to hire temporary seasonal workers to help handle the rush of holiday business. But however temporary their employment might be, they’re still employees with all the potential for employer liability that status entails. It’s important to bear that in mind. Audit your hiring policies and practices with the Employment […]

Holidays and the Workplace

At Thanksgiving time, we thought it would be good to take a look at some of the issues employers face during the holidays — drops in productivity, employees shopping online when they should be working, training seasonal workers, refereeing disagreements about holiday decorations, and, of course, navigating the office party. Lawsuits never take a holiday. […]

Treat Holidays with Care to Avoid Religious Discrimination, Harassment

Happy holidays! But which holidays? Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid ul-Adha, Kwanzaa, the winter solstice? All of the above? None of the above? One of December’s chills, at least for HR professionals, can be a little shiver of trepidation over handling employees’ varying religious needs with sufficient sensitivity. Do you put up a tree? What kind of […]

Wishing HR a Litigation-Free Office Party

by Craig M. Borowski Employers often use the holiday season to show their appreciation for employees’ hard work and celebrate with employees in the workplace. Unfortunately, however, even an office holiday party planned with the best of intentions can create legal liability for employers or even turn tragic. Drunk driving, inappropriate conduct and behavior, and […]

Productivity Got Run Over by a Reindeer During the Holidays

by Margaret DiBianca Hints of the holiday season are tucked away in every corner of the workplace. Cards from customers and vendors are tacked up in cubicles. Uneaten candy canes and tin canisters filled with chocolate-drizzled caramel popcorn continue to make appearances in the break room. The office-party circuit seems endless and, of course, requires […]

California Supreme Court to Look at Same-Sex Marriage

Despite the passage of Proposition 8 earlier this month, the issue of same-sex marriage is still very much alive in California. The California Supreme Court announced yesterday that it will address the issues raised by the initiative at the request of advocates on both sides: (1) Was Proposition 8 legally valid, or must it be […]

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

HR manager Paul Knoch reviews the book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni. The review counts this business fiction as a quick, informative read that would be of use to almost any HR practitioner who must work with a team of employees. Have you ever wondered why your team of smart, competent, […]

Canadian Employer Uses Arbitration to Recover Losses from Employee’s Theft

by Brian Smeenk TFI Transport (doing business as Canadian Freightways) had a bit of a theft problem in its Calgary terminal in 2005 and 2006. The company was losing television sets and generators. It conducted an investigation and was able to prove that one of its employees, Wayne Spence, had either stolen or was knowingly […]