Employment Law Tip: What Hours Can Teens Work This Summer?
Thinking of hiring teens to work this summer? If so, now’s the time to get a handle on the rules regarding what hours they can work, so you don’t run afoul of state and federal laws.
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Sexual Harassment: Workplace Spanking Victim Wins $1.7 Million Verdict
A Fresno jury has awarded $1.7 million to Janet Orlando, who charged that she was the victim of sexual harassment and battery after she was spanked with a yard sign on three separate occasions in front of her jeering co-workers at Alarm One Inc., a home security company.
Retirement Benefits: Many More Employers Offering 401(k) Plans Exclusively
According to an analysis by benefits consulting firm Watson Wyatt, the number of large employers that offer only defined contribution/401(k) plans—and not traditional pension plans—is way up. In 2005, 36 percent of Fortune 100 companies offered 401(k) plans only (not in combination with a traditional pension plan), up from 25 percent in 2004 and 17 […]
Policy Enforcement: Can We Enforce a New Version of a Policy That Hasn’t Officially Been Changed Yet?
We have a policy we’re planning to change. We told the affected employees that we will be handling the issue a particular way, but we didn’t explicitly tell them that the new practice is contrary to what is in the handbook, or that we intend to change the policy as it is currently stated in […]
Drug and Alchohol: Can We Implement a Random Drug Testing Policy?
We think that drug use in our company might be growing, and management wants to institute a broad, random testing policy with a zero-tolerance standard. I believe that random testing might be a privacy violation in California. Is it advisable to have a random testing policy, and if not, what do you recommend for curbing […]
You’re the Expert: Do you think exit interviews are helpful?
Do you think exit interviews are helpful? We just had a case in which an ex-employee, during the exit interview, accused a manager of discrimination. The manager blew it off, saying, “Oh, she’s just a disgruntled employee who’s letting off steam on her way out,” and nothing came of it. I don’t know whether it’s […]
Employment Law Tip: Preparing for a Wage-Hour Investigation
Wage and hour investigations are often the result of a complaint filed by an employee or former employee. But sometimes the U.S. Department of Labor, or a state agency, targets specific industries for audits. During an investigation, the DOL will visit the business and gather data on wages, hours, and other employment conditions or practices. […]
Target Corp. Hit with Child Labor Violation Fines
Target Corporation has paid the U.S. Department of Labor $92,400 in penalties to resolve charges that the retailer exposed young workers to hazardous machinery, in violation of federal child labor standards. The violations occurred at several New York stores and one in New Jersey. In connection with the resolution, Target also provided the DOL with […]
New FMLA Rules Coming Soon
The U.S. Department of Labor, which enforces the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), has announced that it will soon publish—by June 2006—a new rule conforming the department’s regulations to recent court decisions concerning the FMLA.
Short Takes: Meal Periods
Some of my nonexempt employees want to work through their meal periods so they can take off early. Is this OK?