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News Notes: Ergonomics Guidelines Released For Grocery Industry
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently released industry-specific guidelines for preventing musculoskeletal disorders in grocery stores. These voluntary guidelines contain practical recommendations to help grocery store employers and employees reduce the number and severity of ergonomic injuries. OSHA says employers in other industries for which guidelines have not been developed may find […]
Disclosure Rules Reveal Boom In Executive Perks
The first year of employer disclosures made under the new U.S. Securities Exchange Commission disclosure rules for executive compensation reveals an approximate threefold increase in the value of executive perks. Under the new rules, employers must disclose perks totaling $10,000 or more; previously, the disclosure threshold was $50,000. This causes concern for executives as many […]
News Notes: New Law Prohibits Genetic Discrimination
A bill recently signed by Governor Pete Wilson will prohibit discrimination against otherwise healthy employees with genetic characteristics that predispose them to a hereditary disease. Proponents of the measure, which goes into effect January 1, 1999, say it’s needed because some employers have begun screening job applicants for genetic problems. A recent court decision found […]
Short Takes: Background Checks
A criminal background check on a new employee has revealed that the employee has a warrant for his arrest (drunk driving). The warrant does not appear to have been resolved. Can we discuss this matter with the employee? If so, and if the employee indicates that the matter has been resolved in the courts, can […]
E-Alert Item: U.S. Supreme Court To Consider Whether Employees’ Fear Of Asbestosis Creates Claim For Damages
The nation’s high court has heard arguments in a case that questions whether railroad employees with the lung disease asbestosis can sue their employer for damages based on a fear of developing cancer from exposure to asbestos—even if the employees don’t have cancer or any symptoms of it. The lawsuit was brought by six retired […]
GOP Out! Democrats In! What Federal-State Law Conflicts Are Most Likely Now?
Whenever there’s a major power shift in government, it’s time to look at employment law again … and especially at federal-state conflicts. Just over two weeks and counting. Who’s counting? The Democratic Party, of course, anxiously awaiting the day … January 4th … that their dozen-year exile from control of Congress ends. When power shifts […]
Pay Discrimination: Congress Responds to Supreme Court’s Ruling
Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that employees who complain of pay discrimination under Title VII, the federal antibias law, must file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 180 days of the discriminatory pay-setting decision, rather than within 180 days of the employee’s last paycheck. This decision was good news for […]
New EEO-1 Deadline Approaching: How to Be Ready (Part 1 of 2)
With part of the allowed data collection window already closed, have you begun preparing for the new EEO-1 report due September 30? Here’s Part 1 of a 2-part article on what you need to know and need to do to comply. It must feel like Times Square on New Year’s Eve down at the U.S. […]
News Notes: Court Explains Who’s A Joint Employee Under the FMLA
When Air France denied family leave for employee Stephane Moreau, who worked at the San Francisco International Airport, the airline argued it wasn’t covered by state and federal family leave laws because it had fewer than 50 employees within a 75-mile radius of Moreau’s workplace. Moreau countered that Air France was covered because it […]