Author: Celeste Blackburn

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t

M. Lee Smith President Dan Oswald reviews the book Good to Great by Jim Collins. Review highlight’s books theories on leadership, people (employees), discipline, and technology in business. Of all the business books I’ve read throughout my career, Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t has had the greatest influence […]

Pirated Software Creates Substantial Risk for Employers

by Saul C. Glazer Ignorance of pirated software on company-owned computer networks isn’t bliss. Given the widespread use of the Internet, a company’s employees may be downloading unlicensed, pirated software without its knowledge, and the employees may not even realize that what they’re doing is illegal Although employers may find it burdensome and costly to […]

Local Ad

Litigation Value: $1,500.00 (or a few hours of their attorney’s time to prepare an internet usage policy) It’s nice to be back! Thanks again to my guest blogger, Troy Foster, for pitching in while I had to work. Did anyone else notice how many Dunder Mifflin employees were using their computers for anything but work? […]

Quick Hiring Decisions Can Backfire on Employers

At the risk of falling into a male gender stereotype, we’re not shoppers; we’re buyers. We don’t browse. We know what we want, go directly to it on the store shelves, grab it, and head for the cash register — almost always without trying it on. Most employers feel the same way about hiring. No […]

Moonlighting: Who’s Left to Push the Paper?

Loss in productivity: $70,000 – $100,000/year Discount off of Dietco Supplement: $20/month Two-night stay at Schrute Farms: Priceless Once again, Julie is working extra hard this week for one of our clients and has asked me to fill in for her here on the blog. I’m Troy Foster a fellow labor and employment attorney with […]

Just Say No to Comp Time

by Kara Shea I hear it all the time: Our employees want comp time; our employees like comp time. Why can’t we give them comp time? And time and time again, I have to deliver the unpleasant news: In most cases, even if your employees love comp time like they love ice cream sundaes and […]

Taking a Chance

LITIGATION VALUE: $450,000 (could be more if several employees file claims) As Julie has been called upon to practice law this week, she asked me to blog in her place. I’m Troy Foster, a fellow labor and employment attorney with Ford & Harrison and also a big fan of the show. Thankfully this week’s episode […]

When Employees Don’t Pack Their Inhibitions for Business Trips

The more employees travel for business, the more exposure employers have — often with costly consequences. Businesses must be prepared for problems that might arise when male and female employees travel together, whether domestically or internationally. Contrary to popular belief, what happens in Vegas doesn’t really stay in Vegas — it gets told in court. […]

Handling Work Refusals

McCarthy Tetrault Your employees in Canada have the right to refuse tasks that may endanger them or others. Health and safety laws spell out not only your obligations but also what your employees must do when refusing work, so it’s important for you to understand how to handle such situations. Here are some tips to […]

Party Time

McCarthy Tetrault Q. When a company holds a social outing for employees and alcohol is served, what are the legal risks? How can potential liability be minimized? A. Parties and other social events provide employers with an opportunity to reward employees and let them interact with coworkers outside of the office. Unfortunately, they also create […]