Author: Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR

The Truth About Juries: Court in the Real World

Are juries worried about whether the facts meet the second prong of a prima facie case? asks attorney Edward M. Richters, No, they get to the jury room, and someone says, “Boy, did that guy get hosed.” Or, maybe, “She had it coming to her.” Bottom line, says Richters, “How would I want to be […]

Don’t Call After Lunch—I’m Napping

By Stephen D. Bruce, PHR Editor, HR Daily Advisor A number of studies are now suggesting the somewhat counterintuitive idea that napping after lunch is a great productivity booster. Should your company be considering naptime? MedicalNewsToday.com says that “dozens of small medical studies have shown that napping for about 30 minutes to an hour in […]

Jury Duty: Striking the Balance Between Civic and Company Responsibility

Jury duty leave seems like an easy one, but anything that involves questions about who gets paid and who doesn’t is not so easy. In yesterday’s Advisor  we talked about the legal issues surrounding jury duty and appearance as a witness; today, we’ll look at key policy considerations, and get an introduction to the “Employee […]

What, Not Another Employee on Jury Duty?

No manager or supervisor wants employees out to serve as a witness or to serve jury duty-for who knows how long-but these appearances are required by law and participation is protected. Any resistance can be viewed as retaliation. As BLR®‘s Family and Medical Leave Act Compliance Guide notes, the federal Jury System Improvement Act of […]

Casual or Seductive? Drawing the Line in Your Dress Code

Skimpy, see-through, midriff-baring, clothing with tattoos and piercings? How do you draw the line? In yesterday’s Advisor, we laid out the legal issues around dress codes. Today we’ll look at best practices for dress code policies, and introduce a unique program just for those in smaller HR departments. In general, an employer’s most prudent approach […]

Scantily-Clad, Pierced, Tattooed: How to Draw the Line

Can’t people just dress right? It’s such a hassle dealing with employees with prominent tattoos, midriff-baring tops, and see through materials. Let’s let the famous HR Red Book® sort it out. Dress codes. Most every company needs one, but putting together a policy that everyone understands, and that complies with government requirements isn’t easy. For […]

#1 Rule of Holiday Party Planning: Avoid Lawsuits

By Stephen D. Bruce, PHR Editor, HR Daily Advisor The holiday party—a traditional HR role that sounds simple, but can quickly turn into an expensive legal disaster. “With the let-loose attitude of holiday parties, employers often disregard the liabilities involved, especially when alcohol is being served.” says attorney Christopher J. Boman. It’s natural for employers […]