Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
A ruling in a closely watched religious discrimination case means employers may be liable for discrimination if they base employment decisions on an applicant’s suspected religious practices even in situations, such as the one in this case, in which the applicant hasn’t directly disclosed a need for a religious accommodation. On June 1, the U.S. […]
A sweeping new U.S. Department of Labor enforcement initiative targeting California’s apparel industry may highlight wage and hour compliance issues for retailers and manufacturers. The companies that make, ship, market and sell clothing have long faced scrutiny over labor practices but industry proponents argue that they have made great strides. DOL appears to disagree, launching […]
An employer group criticized the latest legal challenge to an employee wellness program filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The commission alleges that Honeywell International, Inc.’s biometric testing incentive for employees and their spouses violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. “This is an outrageous development, and one that […]
Most employers are all too aware of the danger of discrimination lawsuits, but there are many other legal threats in the HR arena. In today’s Advisor, attorney Allison West SPHR briefs employers on defamation, negligence, and fraud lawsuits . West, principal of Employment Practices Specialists in Pacifica, CA, offered her tips at SHRM’s Employment Law […]
by J. Robert Brame, McGuireWoods LLP In the 1990s, there was a growing concern about the “criminalization” of corporate law, in part justified by the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which placed real criminal risks on top managers. While Sarbanes-Oxley was no threat to HR managers at first, innovative prosecutors and plaintiffs’ attorneys are changing […]
Yesterday, we looked at one of author and entrepreneur Jason Fried’s biggest gripes about the modern workplace: Interruptions, including those caused by managers who check in at inopportune times. But those interruptions are small potatoes compared to the most disruptive thing managers tend to do: Call meetings.
This article series examines similarities and differences between the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) so that you can stay in compliance when both laws apply. Here, we compare what types of postoffer inquiries and examinations are permitted under each law.
by David S. Fortney and J. Robert Brame Editors, Federal Employment Law Insider The historic 2010 elections for the 112th Congress will significantly alter how Washington operates. The Republicans gained more seats than during any election since 1948, and we now move forward with a politically divided government following two years of Democratic control of […]
By Dominique Launay In the province of Quebec, a woman was asked to leave two different French classes in Montreal. The woman, a recent immigrant from Egypt, refused to remove her face cover. After being allowed to sit at the front of the class (so all men were behind her) and make presentations with her […]
by Chuck Harrison When a warehouse worker was injured in a car accident in 2008, his employer did the right thing: Maersk Distribution accommodated his graduated return to work and provided him with light duties. Maersk stepped up again when the employee’s shoulder injury was further aggravated. But when the economy took a turn for […]