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Merry Christmas

No post today. Call it a sympathy strike (yes, I know that sympathy strikes are illegal – take it up with the NLRB). Well, better yet, call it a holiday hiatus as the truth is that I’m blowing off my responsibilities this morning and heading for the mall to finish up my Christmas shopping. In […]

Lawyer Repellant–Apply Liberally!

In yesterday’s Advisor, attorney Wendy Warner explained how employers make things worse for themselves when lawsuits threaten. Today she shares ideas on how to make things better. Warner usually represents employees, but changed hats at a recent Society for Human Resources (SHRM) convention. Here are her simple steps employers can take “to keep lawyers like […]

Social Media: Your Best Offense or Your Best Defense?

Social media usage is coming like a tidal wave, and employers need to be thinking about their offense—how to present themselves online—and their defense—how to respond to negative expressions about their company on blogs and rant sites. Alison Davis, a communications consultant, recommends a thorough and proactive approach. Davis is CEO of Davis & Company […]

Holiday Bonuses Result in Good Cheer — But Can Cause FLSA Overtime Problems

As the holiday season approaches, employers and employees are beginning to anticipate holiday bonuses. Whether they come in the form of material gifts, cash awards or other benefits, employers should be careful in providing them, because sometimes bonuses must be included in the employee’s pay rate. Although “improper bonus” cases are not common, they still […]

North Dakota employers need to be ready for new smoking law

by Lisa Edison-Smith North Dakota employers need to take steps to comply with a new antismoking law that will take effect on December 6, 2012. On November 6, voters approved Measure 4 by a 2-1 margin. The law “prohibit[s] smoking, including the use of electronic smoking devices, in public places and most places of employment […]

Employee depression and work accommodation Q&A

Dealing effectively with employees who have depression and work restrictions can be challenging. This is especially true when the doctor’s note implies that an accommodation is needed that seems unreasonable. What can an employer do? In a recent CER webinar, Patricia Eyres gave us some guidance on how employers can react in these situations. Here […]

Another Bad Hire? Train Your Managers to Avoid Common—and Disastrous—Hiring Mistakes

Yesterday’s Advisor  featured six of Susan M. Heathfield’s top eight “rookie” mistakes that even seasoned hiring managers make. Today we’ll cover the final two mistakes plus introduce a unique new training system that helps all your managers avoid expensive miscues. If you have not identified your critical needs, and how to screen for them, you’ll […]

Illinois Court Dumps Nursing Mother’s Breastfeeding Claims

By Kelly Smith-Haley, JD, Fox, Swibel, Levin & Carroll, LLP A recent case from a federal court judge in Chicago provides a useful overview of certain statutes that rarely make headlines but nevertheless set the bar for nursing mothers. So dust off the breast pump, spruce up the office lactation room, and settle in for […]

Mass Audit Notices from ICE Evidence of New Immigration Tactic

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is calling its decision to audit hiring records at 652 businesses nationwide a “bold, new audit initiative” that utilizes inspections as one of the most powerful tools the federal government has to enforce employment and immigration laws. ICE issued Notices of Inspection to the 652 employers on July 1 […]