Unintentional Bias on the Rise; Protect Yourself
Yesterday, we talked about how comments like “You don’t look gay” or “You don’t sound black” may not technically be illegal, but are nonetheless inappropriate at work.
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It’s Beginning to Feel a Lot Like … Holiday Travel. Are Your Employees Prepared to Do So Safely?
The holidays are a prime travel time for many American workers—our romantic notions of “home for the holidays” and “I’ll be home for Christmas” are founded in a national holiday habit. But after the holidays, you’ll want your employees back on the job in solid physical shape. Give them these air travel tips to […]
Criminal records Checks? Be Ready to Defend Disparate Impact
Yesterday’s Advisor discussed criminal records and disparate treatment; today, criminal records and disparate impact, plus an introduction to the all-in-one HR solutions site, HR.BLR.com. Disparate impact occurs when: The employer’s neutral policy or practice has the effect of disproportionately screening out a Title VII-protected group and The employer fails to demonstrate that the policy or […]
Cash vs. Benefits? Show Us the Money, Say Workers
Although most American workers are satisfied with the health insurance benefits they have now, there is a long-term trend toward wanting more cash and fewer benefits, according to a new survey by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI).
Senate to debate comp time option for private employers after House passes Working Families Flexibility Act
On May 8, 2013, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 1406, the Working Families Flexibility Act, which would allow employers to offer compensatory time off in lieu of time-and-a-half cash wages for overtime. Employees would be allowed to “cash out” unused comp time within specified periods of time. While the Society for Human Resource […]
What Should We Do About Informal Business Emails?
Our employees are too informal in their work emails to clients, vendors, etc. They are saying things they shouldn’t—such as speaking negatively about company policies—and their tone is too informal for outside business contacts. What can we do?
Court ruling puts NLRB future in jeopardy
A court ruling has put the brakes on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and possibly invalidated decisions the Board has made for the last year. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled on January 25 that President Barack Obama acted unconstitutionally when he made three […]
In Search of Balance
Employees want it, and sometimes change jobs hoping to find it. Yet, work-life balance remains elusive for many people.
Intermittent Leave: FMLA Medical Certification Snafu Sinks Shipbuilder
By Steven L. Brenneman of Fox, Swibel, Levin & Carroll, LLP Think you have intermittent leave and medical certifications finally figured out? A recent decision from the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals—which covers Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin—illustrates that not all employers do.
News Notes: Huge Verdict For Executive Fired For Discussing “Seinfeld” Episode
A jury has awarded $26.6 million to a veteran Miller Brewing Company executive who was fired for sexual harassment after discussing an episode of “Seinfeld.” Jerold Mackenzie told co-worker Patricia Best about a scene in which Jerry Seinfeld can’t remember his girlfriend’s name, only that it rhymes with a female body part. Mackenzie testified that […]