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Train Workers to Avoid Poisons—At Work and At Home

March 16 through 22 is National Poison Prevention Week, so this is a good time to retrain on poison prevention precautions. Check with the safety data sheet (SDS) and your supervisor for the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to use, which may include: Gloves Safety goggles or glasses Protective suits or other clothing Protective boots […]

Obama Will Bring Change for Employers

Now that President Barack Obama has been sworn into office many expect to see more new workplace regulations in the upcoming months than at any time in the last two decades. This article discusses of some of the proposed legislation that could affect employers in the areas of civil rights (the Civil Rights Act of […]

Working Through Religious Beliefs in the Workplace

By Sharolyn Whiting-Ralston In today’s world, employers face cultural and faith issues in the workplace. To further complicate matters, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has begun paying more attention to those issues. A recent case out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, serves as a reminder about your obligations when taking into account cultural or religious differences […]

Rules for providing rest breaks in California

Providing rest breaks in California is just as important as providing meal breaks, and failing to do so could prompt similar penalties if discovered. In fact, meal and rest period requirements have played a huge role in wage and hour litigation for more than 5 years now.

Are Your ‘Impartial’ Tests Actually Discriminatory?

Even if your selection practices are purely objective and neutral, you’re not immune from liability for their “disparate impact.” Bottom line—it’s time to put your tests to the test. What’s considered a test in terms of hiring? Basically it’s any yardstick or evaluative tool you use to help you select employees. One of the theoretical […]

Social Media: SHRM Reports How More Employers Are Plugging in

Nearly 70 percent of organizations are using social media to reach external audiences and build relationships with current and potential customers, and/or potential employees, with Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter being the top three sites used, according to a survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). This survey is part three in a series […]

DoD to Begin Extending Employee Benefits to Same-sex Partners

Some employee benefits such as child care and transportation benefits are soon to be offered to the same-sex domestic partners of military members, U.S. Department of Defense recently announced. Outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta indicated in Feb. 11 memo that the move was a step toward conferring benefits to same-sex partners that currently are only […]

Editor of Texas Employment Law Letter Reflects on Letterman Saga

In the wake of the recent scandal involving late-night host David Letterman, Mike Maslanka, editor of Texas Employment Law Letter, provides advice on how to deal with the relationship dynamics between the top brass and their subordinates in his latest podcast. A top boss must never become romantically involved with a subordinate, says Maslanka. In […]

Faces of HR: How Orlando Ashworth’s Marine Corps Roots Shaped His HR Calling

For Orlando Ashworth, Chief People Officer at Blood Cancer United, the foundation of a successful HR career wasn’t built in a traditional corporate office—it was forged in the United States Marine Corps. Ashworth served and retired after 20 years in the military. His transition into the human resources field took root in 2005 when he […]