Tag: california hr
‘Spanking’ Wasn’t Sexual Harassment, Court Rules
When a Fresno jury in 2006 awarded $1.7 million for sexual harassment to an employee who charged that she was spanked as part of team-building exercises at work, the verdict sent ripples through the employer community as a stark reminder of the need to keep a close check on workplace conduct. Now, however, the verdict […]
Discrimination: Can We Require New Hires to Speak English?
We have quite a diverse population in our area, and many of our applicants do not have good English skills. Can we require our employees to be able to speak English? We think it’s critical for our salespeople who deal with the public, and really, just as important for our assembly, fabrication, and warehouse workers […]
Resources to Help You All Year Long
Need help with an FMLA issue? Having difficulty determining whether an employee’s time off qualifies under the California Family Rights Act, the state counterpart to the FMLA? At the Employer Resource Institute, we offer valuable resources that can put the information you need right at your fingertips, 24 hours a day, every day of the […]
Family and Medical Leave Act Is Getting a Facelift
Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a long-awaited proposal to update and retool regulations under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The proposal covers many topics, including notice requirements, medical certifications, the definition of “continuing treatment” for a serious health condition, fitness for duty, and more.
Performance: What Should We Do with an Employee Who Refuses to Acknowledge Performance Issues?
We have an employee who’s not up to par. We’ve tried to explain his shortcomings in disciplinary meetings and performance reviews, but he just refuses to acknowledge his performance problems. What do we do? —Anonymous
Employee Attitude Survey Can Get You the Inside Story–For Free
Ever wonder what your employees are thinking about their jobs, supervisors, promotion opportunities, teamwork, and other important workplace issues? Now you can find out, through the complimentary National Employee Attitude Survey. Employers can sign up to participate in the survey program that will benchmark their employees’ responses to a written questionnaire to answers from employees […]
Employee Leave: New FMLA Leave Rights for Military Families
President Bush has signed the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4986), which, among other things, expands the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to permit leave for family members of injured military personnel and military reservists called to active duty.
Health Insurance: California Reform Measure Dies in Senate
The massive healthcare reform proposal that was brokered between Gov. Schwarzenegger and the California legislature has died in the Senate Health Committee, which voted overwhelmingly not to move the bill forward. Key reasons for the committee’s move included the state’s huge budget deficit and the lack of available funding for the bill’s provisions. The measure […]
Employers can restrict use of company email for union activities
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ruled 3-2 that an employer didn’t violate federal labor relations law by having a policy that barred employees from using the company’s email system for union activities and other non-job-related solicitations. Employers have basic property rights to regulate and restrict the use of company property, including an email […]