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Hard-Core Approach to Intermittent FMLA Gets Results

It takes a lot of time and effort to deal with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) issues, especially intermittent leave, says HR Manager Barbara Dahlen. Her pragmatic approach works, although she says she’s "not the most popular person" in her workplace. Dahlen says she’s "not a lawyer and doesn’t play one on TV." But […]

12 Tips for Lowering HR’s Legal Bills

What will you do if your business is served with a lawsuit or discrimination charge by a current or former employee? A few simple steps can help keep your legal costs reasonable, say the attorneys at Holland & Hart LLC, writing in the Nevada Employment Law Letter. If you follow their 12 suggestions below, you’ll […]

Breach of privacy rights: What’s it worth?

by Lorene Novakowski In a recent Alberta arbitration award, the arbitrator awarded damages to employees for a breach of their privacy rights, in the amount of $1,250 each. The grievance arose after the province of Alberta conducted background credit checks  without consent on 26 government employees. The employees worked in an area–maintenance enforcement–that gave them discretion in […]

New Accessory Promises to Keep Workers’ Hands Clean

By Kyle Emshwiller Have you ever witnessed a sickness spread from coworker to coworker? Chances are, you answered “Yes.” But fear not. There’s a new accessory that promises to keep coworkers’ hands clean and germ-free. Workplaces can be a haven for the flu, colds, and other viruses, and the results can be costly. From absences, […]

HHS Working On Developing Better Zika Diagnostics

Good news if you have employees who travel: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHR) is working on improving diagnostic tests for the Zika virus by supporting the collection of blood samples from people in the continental United States and Puerto Rico who have been infected with Zika. These samples will be collected […]

Dependent Coverage Can Pose Challenges

Many, perhaps most, employers provide some coverage to employees’ dependents under the benefit plans they offer. But an employer needs to be careful when it does so. Many factors can complicate this coverage. Following are examples that highlight complicated situations that can arise for an employer that covers employees’ dependents and how an employer should address […]

When Incivility Occurs, Hammer It

Yesterday’s Advisor covered calculating the cost of incivility on mental wellness (it’s high) and 6 tips for eliminating incivility. Today, we offer more tips, and we take a look at a broader wellness program. (Go here for tips 1—6) 7. When Incivility Occurs, Hammer It. If you ignore incivility, say Christine Pearson and Christine Porath, […]

You’re the Expert: Inappropriate Comments

That radio character, Don Imus, who got fired for his inappropriate comments? I think I’ve got a few Imuses in my company. How do I get the “good ol’ boys” to toe the line and stop with their insensitive jokes and actions?

New York City gets tough unemployment discrimination law

Over the veto of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City will soon have what’s being called the nation’s toughest law against discrimination based on a job applicant’s employment status. The city council passed the law on March 13 despite Bloomberg’s veto. It will take effect in mid-June. Currently, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington, D.C., have […]