Tag: Policies

‘Honest Suspicion’ of FMLA Abuse Justifies Firing, Courts Rule

A multibillion-dollar corporation that hired a private investigator to combat excessive employee absenteeism and suspected FMLA abuse withstood an interference and retaliation claim by a fired factory worker in a case brought before the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The case is Scruggs v. Carrier Corp., No. 11-3420 (Aug. 3, 2012). Daryl Scruggs, who […]

It’s WARS Against Arrogant Bosses

By Elaine Quayle Employees who always knew their bosses were egotistical, condescending, and supercilious can now declare WARS on them to prove it! Thanks to joint research at the University of Akron (UA) and Michigan State University, we now have the Workplace Arrogance Scale—or WARS. According to a press release, WARS was presented at the […]

Check Computer Usage Policy Against This Model

Yesterday’s Advisor featured attorney Joseph Beachboard’s take on several key HR policies. Today, his recommended model computer usage policy, plus an introduction to the indispensable “50×50” (Fifty Laws in Fifty States). Beachboard, who is a shareholder in the Los Angeles and Torrence, California offices of national employment law firm Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, […]

‘I’m Just Exercising My First Amendment Rights’

Special from Atlanta–SHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition Employees act like children sometimes, and that puts the employer in the position of parent, says attorney Joseph Beachboard. And managers have to parent with policies, training, and discipline. Beachboard, who is a shareholder in the Los Angeles and Torrence, California offices of national employment law firm Ogletree, […]

Solutions for the Afternoon Slump—Caffeine? Snacks?

In yesterday’s Advisor, Registered Dietitian Jason Muchnick revealed the health dangers of many popular beverages in an exclusive interview with BLR editor Elaine Quayle. Today, more of his wellness tips, plus an introduction to the wellness guide that will help your program to deliver 300 percent ROI BLR: How about caffeine—is that a problem? JM: […]

Can Soda Drag Down Your Wellness Program?

When having a soda beverage, you’re getting 300-500 calories, which is almost as much as a meal for some people, says Registered Dietitian Jason Muchnick. Is one of your biggest wellness challenges in your beverage machine? BLR Editor Elaine Quayle recently interviewed Muchnick about sugar in soft drinks, diet sodas, fruit juices, energy drinks, and […]

HR, the People Who Keep Me from Doing What I Want to Do

Special from Atlanta–SHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition When people ask Hunter “Please Sue Me” Lott what he does for a living, he usually says he sells insurance.. “If I say, ‘I help companies stay out of court,’ they ask, ‘Are you a lawyer.’” “No, I’m HR,” I say. “That’s worse,” they say; “HR keeps me […]

Please Sue Me 2012

Special from Atlanta–SHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition Hunter “Please Sue Me” Lott’s annual presentation about how managers beg for lawsuits covered progressive discipline, probationary periods, and much more. His tips came at SHRM’s Annual Convention and Exposition held recently in Atlanta, Georgia. Lott, one of SHRM’s most popular speakers, counsels employers on lawsuit avoidance from […]

Harassment–Old Problem–and Technology–New Problem

Special from SHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition In yesterday’s Advisor, attorney Jonathan Segal offered tips for HR managers including some predictions for 2525. today, more tips, plus an introduction to a unique, checklist-based audit system that helps you find problems before the feds do. Segal, a partner in the Philadelphia office of Duane Morris LLP […]