Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
By Ralph Nero and Ida Martin Are pension plans that provide age-based early retirement programs discriminatory? In a decision that may be important across Canada, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal has recently answered no. In Kovacs v. Arcelor Mittal Montreal, Kovacs argued that he had been discriminated against on the basis of his age by […]
Space heaters are a quick way to heat things up in a drafty office or workspace, but they can increase the risks of fire and electric shock if not used properly. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not specifically prohibit use of portable electric heaters, but the safety agency does require that any […]
I watched the opening scene of Mad Men (Season 7, Episode 1) and thought, “Wow, Freddie has really gotten his act together.” His Accutron pitch, so polished, so vivid, so moving. Don Draper himself could not have done better. Turns out Don couldn’t have done better, but only because it was revealed later that Don […]
Setting formal pay ranges is one way organizations create fair pay structures that also motivate employees. These types of structures can provide a basis for employees to move between levels, and can create internal consistency in how employees are paid. That said, they can also come with plenty of questions when you’re just getting started. […]
Last week, we discussed four employment law issues state legislatures will be grappling with in 2009 — layoff notification laws, immigration, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and it’s state equivalents, and unemployment benefits. This week, we’ll discuss four more – family and medical leave, workplace discrimination, minimum wage, and occupational safety. As with last […]
Unless you’ve been under a rock for the past couple of weeks, you’ve probably heard about Toronto’s crack-smoking mayor, Rob Ford. No, I don’t mean that term in the figurative sense or as a commentary on some outlandish political policy he has chosen to pursue. I mean it quite literally, as Rob Ford admitted in […]
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is in the process of finalizing regulations implementing the employment provisions of the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act of 2008 (GINA). The Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act, signed into law in May 2008, prohibits discrimination by health insurers and employers based on people’s genetic information. The EEOC is to issue […]
The human resources department can take a lesson from Benjamin Franklin. It was that bespectacled founding father who is credited with uttering a famous quote that should be the guide for HR professionals embarking on any new project. “When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Cara Parker, owner of CParker Consulting, Inc., a […]
Data shows employees’ confidence in business conditions reached a seven-year high in 4Q 2017, as well as an increase in the percentage of employees looking for positions outside their organization.
by Michael Futterman and Jaime Touchstone When an employee is accused of theft while working in a customer’s home, it can become a sticky situation for the employer—especially if the theft cannot be conclusively proven. As one satellite TV provider learned, proper processes can help deflect claims of defamation from a terminated employee.