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Are You Training Employees in Online Safety and Security?

In a recent survey, 70 percent of owners/operators of small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the United States indicated that they do not provide online safety training for their employees. At the same time, however, 53 percent said it is important for new hires to be highly proficient in basic computer skills relating to the […]

Are Your Policies Compliant with New FMLA Regulations?

by Mike Maslanka The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) has been revised, and the regulations went into effect in January 2009. Time for a checkup of your company’s policies. Employers need to ask themselves the following questions: HR Guide to Employment Law: A practical compliance reference manual covering 14 topics, including hiring 1. Have […]

Fair Labor Standards Act Celebrates 75th Anniversary

The Fair Labor Standards Act turns 75 today, June 25. When the law was enacted as part of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal policies it established the minimum wage, overtime and other labor standards that still govern today’s workplaces. Those standards turned out to be just the “baby steps” of a law that has grown to […]

Damages for wrongful dismissal: Who must prove what?

by Keri Bennett As noted in past articles here, Canadian employees can sue for lack of adequate notice of termination. Fired employees seeking damages for inadequate notice have a corresponding duty to mitigate or minimize any resulting losses. If other work is available, their losses may be minimal. Employees frequently claim a lack of available […]

Spotting Your Michaels (and Dwights)

After watching last night’s repeat of The Office, I decided that some of my clients’ stories this week were more titillating. That’s what she said. (Couldn’t resist.) The theme of calls that I got this week almost made me feel like I was on the show. I looked for cameras (and Ashton and Howie) more […]

Service Dog

Endangered (Service) Animal Species

by Karen McAndrew As of March 15, 2011, boa constrictors, ferrets, wildebeests, and rabbits are no longer considered “service animals” under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), so assuming the Attorney General’s Office of your state concurs, you will not have to let those animals dine in your restaurant or hang out in a cubicle […]

Cocktails Revisited

Litigation Value: $75,000 (I’m sticking with my earlier assessment) A number of people have asked me whether Jan could really be fired for dating Michael. My answer? Probably. Well, at least in most states. Employers can, and often do, implement policies prohibiting their employees from engaging in romantic relationships with co-workers and, certainly, with subordinates. […]

Stuntman’s death on ‘The Walking Dead’ set a sad reminder of common workplace hazards

Tragically, stuntman John Bernecker died last week in Atlanta after falling 30 feet to a concrete floor while working on a fight scene for AMC’s zombie-apocalypse series “The Walking Dead.” In response, the show temporarily halted production of its eighth season, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) opened an investigation.  According to OSHA, […]

Chores on the Clock?

By Kyle Emshwiller Should employees spend their entire day working? What would you think of an employee doing chores, getting a manicure, or working out on company time? All of these activities are happening in American workplaces, and according to some researchers, this may not be a bad idea. Personal chores. A recent post on […]