Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
by Brian R. Garrison Most employers know that federal and state civil rights laws prevent them from discriminating against employees on the basis of their religious beliefs and practices. But when you hear the phrase “reasonable accommodation,” you usually think of your duty under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to accommodate an employee with a […]
The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans recently addressed a case in which the employee alleged violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA). The dispute arose when the employee claimed she was given insufficient break time to express breast milk following the […]
by Eric B. Topel Charles “Slip” Shod has been employed by your company for more than two years, during which time you have received repeated complaints from vendors about his performance. In your capacity as a member of human resources, you begin reviewing the other matters on which Slip has been working and determine that […]
This week’s episode — “The Promotion” — had nothing to do with advancement in the workplace. In fact, the only thing it promoted was how to get fired. When the episode ended, I identified five Scranton employees whom David Wallace should discharge if he wants to minimize potential liability: Dwight. He opened the episode fantasizing about placing Jim […]
Just My E-pinionBy Nicole Capehart, HR Manager, American Realcorp Use short-term rewards to reap long-term benefits, says HR manager Nicole Capehart. She has achieved a 48% drop in absenteeism for essentially the cost of a few dozen donuts. Fresh out of college with my new degree in hand, I took my first HR job, ready […]
Under both the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), employers cannot require employees returning from leave to submit to a medical examination unless such an examination is “job-related and consistent with business necessity.”
by Anna A. Cohen As the holiday season and the new year approach, many people are either looking for love or ending relationships. Many relationships begin and end in the workplace. A recent survey revealed that almost half of employees have been involved in an office romance, and 20 percent admit to having met their […]
by Burton J. Fishman Sears recently reached a $6.2 million settlement with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regarding Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) violations stemming from the company’s alleged refusal to return injured workers to the job. This is the largest ADA settlement in a single lawsuit in EEOC history. More aggressive enforcement has […]
In yesterday’s Advisor, we talked about helping new supervisors with tricky disciplinary issues. Today, we’ll tackle termination, and take a look at a unique new "boot camp" for supervisors. Supervisors need clear guidance and strong reminders about their HR responsibilities. You can’t use the "hope system" with compliance issues (“We hope they’re doing it right.”). […]
It’s clear that your supervisors are the first line of defense in preventing lawsuits, but don’t forget, that means they’re the first line of offense as well—the people in position to make the biggest and most costly mistakes. Your supervisors are good people, well meaning and capable. But especially when they are new, they don’t […]