Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Many employers are reluctant to provide references for former employees because of the risk that giving a negative reference can lead to a defamation lawsuit. To deal with this problem, California has a reference immunity law. Under this law, truthful communications about job performance or employment qualifications of a current or former employee are privileged—and […]
By Omer Eiferman To meet the business challenges of today, and tomorrow, the adoption of a multi-persona bring-your-own-device (BYOD) strategy is key to enabling the enterprise to attract and retain top talent.
The world of talent management is abuzz with concepts like retention, engagement, and branding. Does your company track these things? If so, how? Do you think it works? Tell us in our latest survey. Taking the survey gives access to the results as soon as they are compiled. We’d love to hear what you have […]
Figuring out how to administer family and medical leave can be tough. And one misstep-even if it seems minor-can lead to a lawsuit. Since the federal family leave law went into effect five years ago, the U.S. Department of Labor has processed thousands of employee complaints. Based on those charges, the department has pinpointed the […]
by Helen Gray McCarthy Tetrault A recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal places new limits on a trial judge’s ability to award damages for conduct on the part of an employer during the termination process that is said to amount to “bad faith.” While it’s an Ontario decision, it can be expected to […]
By Reggie Gay Employers that need workers often find themselves inundated with applicants — especially in today’s down economy. Some employers have even resorted to limiting the applicant pool to currently employed individuals as a way of dealing with a deluge of resumes. But that can be a legally shaky strategy. Mastering HR Special Reports: […]
When HR managers at the recent SHRM conference in Chicago were asked what their most challenging problem is, virtually all responded, “Finding and keeping good people.” How can you locate and hold on to top performers in a tricky economy with a diminishing number of qualified candidates? Many experts suggest that so-called “passive” candidates are […]
In the waning days of the COBRA premium subsidy, The Commonwealth Fund is calling for the program to be resuscitated as a way to help unemployed and uninsured workers until health care reform is fully implemented. In an Aug. 24 issue brief, the Fund noted that “the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression has […]
by Mark Wiletsky Colorado employers need to make sure their background check policies comply with the state’s Employment Opportunity Act, which takes effect July 1. The new law bans employers from obtaining and using credit history information when evaluating applicants and employees. Certain jobs are exempt from the prohibition, but the exemptions are very narrow. […]
Twenty-one African-American workers at a Wonder Bread factory in San Francisco have sued the company for discrimination, saying they were denied promotions, given the worst shifts and subjected to racial slurs. They also claim that not one African-American is in a management position. Wonder’s parent company, Interstate Brands Corp., denies the charges and says it […]