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Is Obesity a Disability? Fat Chance!

by Gary Jiles Q: Can an employee be fired for being so obese that he can’t do his job? In other words, is obesity a disability protected by law? Americans with Disablities (ADA) Compliance Manual A: The employee must be qualified to do his job or he faces termination. With a few exceptions, the latest […]

Breaking This Workplace Ban Is So Stupid, It’s Criminal

This HR Strange but True story has a happy ending for 117 workers but not for the person who didn’t follow a workplace policy. Well, actually the employee didn’t just allegedly break a workplace ban; he could be guilty of criminal violations of a state law—and risking a catastrophe. Hard as it is to believe, […]

Boosting Participation in Online Learning

Online courses can be a great tool for employers. Not only can they accommodate far more employees than traditional, in-person courses that are limited by the size of the room; they also facilitate the ability to include employees from around the country or around the world.

What Atypical Benefits Are Your Competitors offering?

In yesterday’s Advisor, we presented non-healthcare survey results from M Lee Smith Publishers. Today, more survey results and an introduction to a special program just for smaller or even one-person HR departments. About 500 employers participate in the survey. Here are the detailed results. (Go here for yesterday’s survey results.) If your organization has a […]

Q&A on deductions from final paychecks in California

Making deductions from the final paycheck can open an employer up to legal problems—including accusations of withholding final pay if the deduction was improper. If an employer is deemed to have withheld final pay, it could be subject to waiting time penalties.

Garnishments: Understanding Orders to Withhold Wages

During tax season, some people may be excited by the prospect of receiving refund checks from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or their state’s respective Department of Revenue. For some, those expected payouts may never materialize if there are orders allowing that money to be surrendered to repay things like back taxes or owed child […]

South Carolina’s Verification Rules for Private Employers Take Effect July 1

Last summer, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford signed legislation that requires private employers to verify the employment eligibility of new employees. On July 1, 2009, these rules will take effect for private employers with 100 or more employees. Under the new verification laws, employers that are required by federal law to complete and maintain federal […]

What to Do When You Are Sued—10 Immediate Actions

Even if you follow all the best advice for avoiding lawsuits, eventually you’re going to get sued. The actions you take the instant you know about a suit can spell the difference between a quick, inexpensive resolution and a prolonged, expensive one. Here are the 10 most important things to do when you first learn […]