Archives

RIFs: Preparing for the Unkindest Cut

As the economy stagnates, many employers who were hoping to avoid layoffs must now finally consider them. Today’s expert, attorney Michael Rosen, sorts out the key issues. Rosen, a labor and employment partner with the law firm Foley Hoag LLP in Boston, says that any reduction in force (RIF) must be carefully planned and executed […]

Workers’ Compensation Claim for Mental Stress Allowed

By Derek Knoechel and Lorene Novakowski Canadian provinces have workers’ compensation legislation that provides a no-fault system of compensation for injuries suffered on the job. The system covers lost wages, medical aid, and rehabilitation for the injured worker and generally removes the injured worker’s ability to sue the employer. The workers’ compensation system is funded […]

Uniforms, Religious Garb, and Federal Law

Yesterday’s Advisor covered best practices for dress codes. Today, we continue with uniforms and religious accommodation, and introduce a new audio conference that will answer your specific questions about dress codes. May employers require employees to wear uniforms? In general, employers may require employees to wear uniforms, but employers that do have such a requirement […]

Hot List: Bestselling “Business Life” Books on Amazon.com

Amazon.com updates its list of the bestselling books every hour. Here is a snapshot of what is hot right now, this Monday morning, June 1, in the “Business Life” section of the “Business and Investing”category. 1. Who’s Got Your Back: The Breakthrough Program to Build Deep, Trusting Relationships That Create Success–and Won’t Let You Fail […]

Tube Tops, Tattoos, and Piercings: Where Is Your Dress Code?

Here comes summer and the worst time of the year for dress code violations. Today’s Advisor takes a look at what you can and can’t do with dress code and appearance policies, courtesy of HR.BLR.com’s “Ask the Expert.” Can dress codes be different for male and female employees? Most of the legal problems relating to […]

Can an Early Retirement Nudge Lead to a Lawsuit?

Employers are often reluctant to follow up on allegations made against employees nearing retirement age, both because of the fear of age bias claims, and because these employees stand to lose valuable retirement and other benefits if they’re terminated. For these reasons, employers sometimes suggest that the employee take early retirement rather than risk termination.

Comp Time in the Private Sector

On February 10, 2009, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Washington) again introduced the Family Friendly Workplace Act, which, if passed, would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and authorize private employers to provide compensatory (or “comp”) time off in lieu of overtime pay. For almost 20 years, the public sector has been using comp time, […]

Losing More Than Just an Employee: Protecting Confidential Information

by Rachel Blue Lately, we’ve seen a lot of employees walking out of buildings and plants with boxes of framed photos from their desks or lockers, and maybe a severance check in an envelope. The job cuts this time are deeper, and the next job may be further away than in the past. As a […]

Been There, Done That!

Employment law attorney Troy Foster reflects on the “Stress Relief” episode of The Office and reminds employers that while reruns may work in prime time, letting workplace problems reoccur is dangerous. Litigation Value: $615,000 and rising . . . Haven’t we been down this road before? The “Stress Relief” episode of The Office just keeps […]

Prop 8 Upheld by California Supreme Court

On Tuesday, the California Supreme Court upheld the November amendment to the state constitution—Prop 8—that prohibits same-sex marriage. The court did, however, rule that the 18,000+ same-sex marriages already performed in California will remain legally valid.