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.

NLRB wants Supreme Court review of recess appointments decision

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced on March 12 it will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review an appeals court decision that says the appointment of two Board members is invalid. In consultation with the Justice Department, the NLRB said it intends to file a petition by the April 25 deadline for Supreme […]

Workers’ compensation reform: Independent medical review

Independent medical review (IMR) is the largest change in California’s SB 863, which has been widely lauded as a “new and improved” workers’ compensation reform package. The new law addresses problems that arose out of the 2004 reforms by minimizing delays in medical treatment and improving access to care.

EEOC Settlements a Reminder ADA May Require Extended Leave as Accommodation

Two employers entered into settlement agreements with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in February after the federal agency alleged the companies had violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. Both employers, the commission said, fired employees who were entitled to leave as accommodations for their disabilities. The first involved Doneen King, an employee with the […]

When Gambling Comes to Work: NCAA Tournament Office Pools and Your Employees

With March Madness nearly upon us, many employers across the United States will undoubtedly see NCAA basketball tournament ‘brackets’ at their workplace. Are these harmless fun or should employers be concerned? In this video, Mary Drexler, Executive Director for the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, tells BLR about the potential ramifications of problem gambling in […]

The Dullest Job in HR?

In HR, sometimes the dullest jobs are the most important—like updating job descriptions. This specific task is probably not the reason you were drawn to a career in HR, to say the least … but it’s time to bite the bullet.

Outsource SM Background Checks? Pros and Cons

Yesterday’s Advisor featured attorney Kevin McCormick’s tips for social media sleuthing; today, his take on outsourcing social media searches, plus news of an upcoming free webcast on talent management. Several consumer reporting agencies specialize in social media searches, McCormick says. For example, Social Intelligence. This California start-up is “FTC-approved” in that an investigation was conducted […]

Train Employees to Use the Internet Securely

The “2012 NCSA/Symantec National Small Business Study” (www.staysafeonline.org/stay-safe-online/resources) was conducted by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and Symantec. The study found that 87 percent of small businesses have at least one employee who uses the Internet daily. In addition, 70 percent of owners/operators of small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the United States indicated […]

Administering FMLA/CFRA leave

Administering FMLA/CFRA leave can cause headaches even for the most organized of HR professionals. What are the legal notices the employer is required to provide? What can the employer ask the employee to provide and how much notice can be required? Does your organization know how to proceed when a leave request comes in?

Social media background checks? ‘I’m Not a Fan’

“Social media background checks are a hot item,” says attorney Kevin McCormick, “but I’m not a fan.” Sneaky, Low, Invasive Furthermore, social sleuthing smacks of “Sneaky,” “Low,” and “Invasion,” says McCormick. “One thing I know is what juries like and what they don’t like, and they don’t like that.” Chair of the Labor and Employment […]