Author: Diversity Insight

Union to pay $6.2 million in historic race and national origin discrimination case

Local 28 of the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association in New York City (Local 28) will have to pay $6.2 million to a class of black and Hispanic workers. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Local 28 provided them fewer job opportunities because of their race or national origin. The monetary part of […]

Data Points: The Boomers @ 62

• The majority of Baby Boomers who turn 62 in 2008 plan to retire by age 65. • The majority of Baby Boomers who are turning 62 this year have been married only once and have 2.4 children; however, only one in five say their children are living at home with them. • Only 2% […]

A Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Finally, the strike is officially over. And, according to the New York Times, new episodes of “The Office” will start airing on April 10, 2008. Thank God! In the meantime, there are plenty of real life cases with facts so bizarre that they rival the plots dreamed up by Hollywood writers. To get us started, […]

Employees Hold the Key to Employers’ Data Security

by Mark Wiletsky It has become almost commonplace to hear that a government agency or private corporation has been the victim of a data security breach. As a result, hundreds of customers’ or employees’ personal data is at risk of being used for criminal purposes such as identity theft. Approximately 70 percent of those breaches […]

Employers May Challenge Suspicious FMLA Leave Requests

by Kara Shea The following case provides some hope for employers that find themselves continually dealing with suspicious leave requests under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). It shows that you don’t have to accept a medical certification form at face value. HR Guide to Employment Law: A practical compliance reference manual covering 14 […]

The Truth About Hiring the Best

Employment law attorney Michael Maslanka reviews the book The Truth about Hiring the Best by Cathy Fyock. The review highlights a few of the book’s truths about hiring, interviewing, and dealing with employee relations. Looking to pick up the latest thinking on hiring? Pick up The Truth About Hiring the Best (Truth About), a quick […]

DOL Issues Long-Awaited Proposed FMLA Regs

After many years of promising changes to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) regulations, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) last week issued new proposed regulations in an attempt to address some of the most common criticisms employers have about the previously issued final FMLA regulations. (You can view the proposed regulations at www.HRhero.com/fmla_update.pdf.) […]

Effective and Streamlined Bargaining Preparation

by Daniel Pugen McCarthy Tetrault It’s been a cold, wintry start to 2008 (at least in Canada). The cobwebs from New Year’s Eve have passed and New Years’ resolutions already have been broken. As February began, the groundhog indicated six more weeks of winter and Ontario employees were counting down the days until Family Day […]

Maternity Benefits – No Legal Right for Adoptive Mothers

By Kate McNeill McCarthy Tetrault Across Canada, employment standards laws provide for job-protected maternity leave for pregnant employees and parental leave for parents generally. In addition, the federal government provides financial benefits during these leaves through its Employment Insurance Act (EIA). The Supreme Court of Canada recently declined to review an appeal of a decision […]

HOT LIST: Bestselling Business Books

What are you colleagues reading? These books are at the top of the SHRM’s bestseller list. 1. 151 Quick Ideas to Manage Your Time by Robert E. Dittmer. Do more in less time, take control of your schedule, and create a new balance between your work and your family life. 2. Effective Phrases for Performance […]