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Managing Sexual Harassment Backlash: Employer Dodges Alleged Harasser’s Suit; Four Practical Strategies

As employers are finding out all too often, getting tough and firing employees who harass other workers can bring on another big headache-a wrongful termination lawsuit. Although the California Supreme Court addressed this troublesome issue earlier this year, it’s been unclear exactly what steps you should take to protect yourself from being sued by an […]

Amazon.com’s Editor’s Picks for Best Business and Investing Books of 2008

The editors at Amazon.com have put together a list of the best books of 2008 in the “Business and Investing” category. 1. The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder. The legendary Omaha investor has never written a memoir, but now he has allowed one writer, Alice Schroeder, unprecedented access to […]

Must-Haves for Your FMLA Policy

There’s not much in HR as frustrating as dealing with FMLA leaves. And the new military leave requirements have made it all the more complex. How to cope? Start with a clear and thorough policy, says attorney Stacie Caraway. Communication is the Key Caraway reminds employers that communicating these rules is key to successfully managing […]

Disability Bias: Employee Unable to Travel Is Not Disabled, but Court Considers Retaliation Claim Anyway; Practical Considerations

A new ruling from the federal appeals court that covers California demonstrates how you can get hit with a retaliation claim following an employee’s request for a reasonable accommodation—even if it turns out the employee wasn’t disabled. The court also pointed out that travel restrictions don’t qualify as limitations on a major life activity for […]

You don’t have to be an 800-pound gorilla to create a better health plan for employees … but it sure helps

Self-funded companies can do a lot to improve employee health through wellness programs and creating “micro health delivery systems” (my term) with goals tailored to the firm’s employee population. The catch may be that only employers that are very large, very innovative and want to get very involved in health care may be able do […]

‘Reasonable Interest Rate’ Debate Continues

Employers and plan administrators will be better able to administer plan loans and meet the prohibited transaction exemption, since the IRS has given them a clearer picture of what constitutes a “reasonable rate of interest.” The IRS has provided this assistance in guidance it published in the Winter 2012 edition of its “Retirement News for […]

Happy People Don’t Sue! (There Aren’t a Lot of Happy People)

There aren’t a lot of happy people at work these days, says Hunter Lott, and that means that HR managers have their work cut out for them in preventing lawsuits. Lott, an HR practitioner dedicated to the “rights of management,” is known for his entertaining yet informative approach. His remarks came during his annual “Please […]