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Voters reject changes to South Dakota’s right-to-work law

by Jennifer Suich Frank On November 8, South Dakota voters rejected Initiated Measure (IM) 23, which would have allowed unions to charge nonmembers reduced “fair share” dues for services like collective bargaining. An overwhelming 79 percent of South Dakotans voted against the measure. A right-to-work law means employees have the right to work without being required to […]

Littler’s EEOC Activity Report–No Relief for Employers

Littler Mendelson’s recently released Annual Report on EEOC Developments—Fiscal Year 2012 indicates that the agency recovered a total of $365.4 million in monetary benefits in FY 2012, the highest level ever achieved through the administrative process. In addition, in settlement of 254 EEOC lawsuits, the EEOC recovered an additional $44.2 million. Employers beware. The report, […]

New Tennessee law allows guns in trunks at work

by Kara E. Shea A new Tennessee law clearing up two years of confusion related to whether employers can enforce no-weapons policies goes into effect July 1. Gun-rights advocates have prevailed. The new law prohibits employers from firing employees for complying with Tennessee’s “guns in trunks” statute, which was passed in 2013. That law states […]

Employee Misconduct: High Court Says Public Employers Can Punish Workers Who Lie In Investigations; How New Ruling Could Affect You

When employees are accused of misconduct, their first instinct may be to say they didn’t do it. But under a new U.S. Supreme Court ruling, public employer scan impose additional punishment on workers who deny an accusationthat later proves to be true. This seemingly straightforward decisioncould have some unexpected consequences, however, as employers may find […]

Starbucks, Costco, and Whole Foods Propose Alternative to EFCA

After forming an ad hoc committee called the “Committee for a Level Playing Field for Union Elections,” three U.S. retailer giants announced an alternative to the controversial Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). Starbucks Corp., Costco Wholesale Corp., and Whole Foods Market, Inc., outlined six principles they believe represent a compromise between business and labor interests. […]

Colorado’s new use-it-or-lose-it vacation policy sparks questions

The Colorado Division of Labor has taken a new position on enforcing wage claims based on an employer’s vacation policy, and the position is leaving employers with questions about whether use-it-or-lose-it vacation policies are lawful in the state. In response to inquiries about whether policies that prohibit employees from rolling over some or all earned […]

Brains on Fire: Igniting Powerful, Sustainable, Word of Mouth Movements

HR Hero Line editor Wendi Watts reviews Brains on Fire by Robbin Phillips, Greg Cordell, and Geno Church, finding useful insight into engaging both employees and customers. Do your customers and employees love you? Do you love your customers and employees? Most HR people would readily admit that a large number of their employees are […]

Want to Avoid Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Problems? Do a Self-Audit

If the government is willing to go after the world’s largest store on FLSA, they’ll go after anyone. Here’s how to keep the Washington wolves from your door. Wal-Mart has been in the news lately, and not just for having “always the low price.” According to government allegations, Wal-Mart has also had “sometimes the low […]

Tech Training for All Generations

Generation Y workers, more astute in their technology skills than any prior age group, are forcing employers to reevaluate how they hire, train, and equip current and future workforces. These were the findings of a new study, Generational Research on Technology and its Impact in the Workplace, just released by CompTIA, the nonprofit association for […]