Category: HR Management & Compliance

There are dozens of details to take care of in the day-to-day operation of your department and your company. We give you case studies, news updates, best practices and training tips that keep your organization fully in compliance with ever-changing employment law, and you fully aware of emerging HR trends.

New Jersey social media privacy law takes effect December 1

by David K. Reid Employers need to be ready for New Jersey’s new social media privacy law, which takes effect December 1. The law prohibits employers from requiring applicants and employees to disclose their user names and passwords for personal social media accounts or otherwise provide access to their accounts. The law doesn’t apply to […]

Seattle employers should be ready for new background check law

by Amy Kunkel-Patterson Seattle’s new law restricting the use of criminal background checks takes effect November 1. The Job Assistance Ordinance prohibits employers from requiring applicants to disclose arrest or conviction records as part of initial job applications. It also restricts how employers may use arrest and conviction records that eventually are disclosed. A number […]

Cracking the ‘Tough Nut’: The Four Ts

What do you do about building a relationship with the “tough nut to crack”? The thing to think about, says consultant Robin Schooling, SPHR, is: “What is the need that I’m not meeting?” Schooling’s company is Silver Zebras, LLC.

Supreme Court Asks Feds to Weigh In on Pregnancy Accommodation

The U.S. Supreme Court has asked the federal government to provide an opinion on whether the Pregnancy Discrimination Act requires employers to accommodate pregnant employees. The Court received a petition to hear Young v. United Parcel Service, Inc., a case from earlier this year in which the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that […]

Make Sure Your Handbook is NOT an Employment Contract

Your employee handbook can be interpreted as creating express or implied contracts, says Attorney Allan H. Weitzman; however, disclaimers and receipts can help prevent that from happening.   Employee Handbooks: Every Word Counts One important thing to remember when it comes to handbooks and whether they create contracts is that state law controls, so you […]

Are You Training Employees to Prepare for Leadership?

To prepare employees for leadership make them aware that they must be ready to assume a variety of roles. For example, at various times, leaders are: Managers—They direct and oversee the work of others. Coaches—They guide and motivate others to perform at their best and achieve common goals. Planners—They develop strategies for achieving objectives and […]

Asking Older Employees About Retirement Plans—Danger or Diligence?

Yesterday’s Advisor featured Attorney Joan Farrell’s take on some of the subtleties of age discrimination, retirement, and workforce planning. Today, the delicate issue of asking directly about retirement plans, plus an introduction to BLR’s unique 10-minutes-at-a-time supervisors’ training system.   Can You Ask About Retirement Plans? Can you ask older employees about their retirement plans? […]

Supervisors Are Critical to Safety and Health Compliance

In a BLR® webinar titled “OSHA Inspection: How to Prepare for a Surprise Visit and Minimize your Liability Risks,” Tracy L. Moon Jr., a practicing partner at Fisher & Phillips, LLP in Atlanta, and an authorized OSHA General Industry Outreach Trainer, explained the importance of supervisor engagement in and ownership of safety and health compliance. […]

Age Discrimination: Evidence May Be Subtle But Still Sufficient

Age discrimination in the workplace can be subtle, but subtle doesn’t mean insufficient, says Attorney Joan Farrell, BLR® Senior Legal Editor. And with Boomers nearing retirement, it’s a looming issue. Yes, says Farrell, we’re all aghast when we read about direct evidence of discrimination, like the manager who allegedly said he fired an employee because […]