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EEOC announces new strategic enforcement priorities

by Leslie E. Silverman The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) broke new ground in late 2012 with the release of its first Strategic Enforcement Plan (SEP) publicly identifying its top enforcement priorities. Since that time, the EEOC’s enforcement and litigation program has largely focused on the priority areas laid out in the SEP:  Eliminating barriers […]

All’s Not Fair in Love and War

Litigation Value: $250,000 Things escalated quickly during the “Heavy Competition” episode of The Office. Michael Scott ratcheted up his sales efforts by trying to get Dwight Schrute to give him some of Dunder Mifflin’s customers. But when new Dunder Mifflin boss Charles Minor gained Dwight’s respect (with a well-appreciated handshake –- “it’s firm!”), the deal […]

The HR guide to Super Bowl XLVIII

by Mark I. Schickman Sometimes the Super Bowl is a great game, but more often, it’s a blowout long before the dip and punch disappear. In case we need something to hold our interest between the $8-million-a-minute commercials, here are some employment law points to think about as the Seahawks and Broncos square off, representing […]

Consider Using Athletic Trainers to Improve Your Organization’s Financial Wellness

  To recap, Jim Thornton, president of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), says that “with the ever-increasing demand on output and return on investment in today’s workplace, employees in the occupational setting remain at risk of acute and overuse on-the-job injuries.” The expertise of athletic trainers in musculoskeletal injuries makes them a strategic choice […]

Wrongful Discharge: Employer Must Pay $600,000 For Not Acting When Screaming Boss Made HR Manager’s Job Intolerable

Employers tend to give a lot of leeway to high-level or valuable employees. But if a rogue boss’s behavior goes unchecked—and forces other employees to quit—you may have a lawsuit on your hands. In one recent case, the employer’s failure to rein in a renegade manager turned into a $600,000 mistake.

Zika and the Workplace: Tips for Employers

While the Zika virus is not yet widespread across the United States, it has arrived stateside and will likely spread. This gives employers the opportunity to prepare now to reduce the chances of this virus becoming a threat for employees.

overtime

How do we explain the need to change the FLSA overtime exemption?

by Jo Ellen Whitney This summer, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) indicated that under new Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulations issued in May, it might be necessary for various employers to change some workers’ overtime exemption. In a blog post on the DOL website, the agency also indicated that employees would be thrilled […]

Live long and diversify your workforce

The death of Leonard Nimoy this week brought back many memories of the actor’s classic portrayal of Mr. Spock in the original “Star Trek” television series and subsequent movies, as well as his talents as a photographer, writer, and lecturer. Spock, as personified by Nimoy, embodied many qualities that employers value in their workforce, such […]

succession

Why You Need to Plan for the Succession of All Your Employees

Managers can be so busy at work sometimes that it’s almost inconceivable for them to think about anything beyond the present day or even hour. And, while many business leaders wisely set aside time to think about 1-year, 3-year, or 5-year plans, far too few spend time thinking about where their current workforces will be […]

Supreme Court of Canada: Vague Non-Compete Clause is Useless

by Derek Knoechel Morley Shafron sold his Vancouver-based insurance agency business in 1987 for $700,000 in cash and shares. He became a shareholder and director of the surviving company and agreed to provide management services. The agreement included a non-competition clause that would take effect if he left the company. The clause would prohibit him […]