Ummmm … Ahhhhh … Er … (You on the Witness Stand?)
Don’t terminate without running through this list of hidden problems, says attorney Edward M. Richters.
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Never Say Never, and Never Say This
Yesterday’s Advisor featured the first six of author Darlene Price’s 10 phrases that kill your pitch; today, killer phrases 7 through 10, plus an introduction to the all-HR-in-one-place website, HR.BLR.com. [Go here for killer phrases 1 to 6.] 7. AVOID: “…don’t you think?” or, “…isn’t it?” or “…OK?” To convey a confident commanding presence, eliminate […]
Court Allows ADA Suit by Deaf Teachers’ Aide Replaced by Another to Continue
Often, employees who believe they were fired because of their disability will show that they were replaced by an individual without a disability as evidence of discrimination. In one recent case, however, a district court has allowed a case in which a deaf teaching assistant — who was replaced by another deaf individual — to […]
Questions and Answers on Reform’s Transitional Reinsurance Fee
Employers are understandably nervous about the transitional reinsurance fee, which health insurers and employer health plans must pay from 2014 through 2016. The fee will be collected by HHS, even though the states will tailor their own risk adjustment programs. It must be paid annually. Plans will probably make their first payment for 2014 a […]
Key Wage-and-hour Language to Have in Your Employee Handbook
To prevent the consequences from imprecise employee handbook language, employers should regularly review their handbooks and written policies. Since wage and hour lawsuits make up a significant part of litigation, W&H provisions can make a difference as you draft or review your employee handbook. Wage-and-hour related provisions should include pay details, safe harbor and state […]
Are Your Employee Development Training Programs Award Worthy?
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America has received recognition both for its strong commitment to employee development and to the financial literacy of youths in the Minneapolis area. Employee development “Allianz Life is committed to the well-being and professional development of our employees; they are the key to our success,” president and CEO Walter […]
Can You Forbid Discussions of Salary and Pay?
It’s all part of NLRB’s new expansive view of its role. For insights about the overly aggressive NLRB and the recent court decision concerning the legitimacy of President Obama’s recess appointments, we spoke with Patricia Trainor, BLR’s senior managing editor, HR. “There’s a very interesting situation at the NLRB now: A court has ruled that […]
Play-or-pay factor: Affordability safe harbors
By Martin Simon If an employer covered by the Affordable Care Act play-or-pay requirements decides to play by providing health insurance coverage, it could still be hit with penalties if the coverage is “unaffordable.” Coverage is unaffordable if one or more of the employer’s full-time employees receives a premium tax credit because he or she […]
10 Persuasion-Killing Phrases You Should Never Use
Whether you’re making a formal request, wooing an applicant, or proposing an idea, the wrong phrase can ruin your pitch, says author Darlene Price. She offers 10 phrases that kill any hope of success. Price is the author of recently published Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results. Of course, you’ve got to know […]
EEOC Takes Aggressive Pill from NLRB
We’ve been writing about a newly aggressive NLRB, and now here comes the EEOC. EEOC.gov’s home page now features lawsuit summaries that close with an appeal for wronged applicants or employees to contact the agency and, presumably, join the class of litigants. Here are three typical pleas from eeoc.gov: Texas Roadhouse Litigation “The EEOC has […]