Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
If a job applicant has a liver disorder that might be worsened by exposure to chemicals at work, or a back problem that would be aggravated by heavy lifting, you might wonder whether you can refuse to hire the person so you won’t be on the hook for future workers’ comp benefits. Now, in a […]
by Brian Smeenk On June 30, 2008, new human rights legislation in Ontario came into force. The new regime radically changes the way in which human rights complaints are dealt with in Ontario. Employers, employees, and unions are watching closely to see how well the new system works. 1. Complainants given direct access to tribunal […]
Yesterday’s Advisor covered the first three conditions that must be met to invoke an “affirmative defense” against harassment claims. Today we move on to the fourth condition, and bring you news about a unique tool that helps smaller HR departments with harassment—and the rest of HR’s major challenges. The fourth condition that must be met […]
Special from the Advanced Employment Issues Symposium, Las Vegas If you want a seat at my table, you have to talk my language, and that’s the language of numbers and dollars, says Dan Oswald, BLR CEO and author of the Oswald Letter. Oswald offered his remarks at BLR’s Advanced Employment Issues Symposium under way this […]
Local 28 of the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association in New York City (Local 28) will have to pay $6.2 million to a class of black and Hispanic workers. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Local 28 provided them fewer job opportunities because of their race or national origin. The monetary part of […]
by Mark I. Schickman At its heart, the Pennsylvania State University (PSU) football scandal is a criminal matter. But it’s also the ultimate example of sexual harassment being permitted to recur openly, continuously, and notoriously in a workplace. It’s a sober reminder of what can happen if any person or group believes they are bigger […]
by Cathleen S. Yonahara San Francisco’s new Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance takes effect January 1, 2014, meaning covered private employers in the city must consider employees’ requests for flexible or predictable working arrangements to assist with their caregiving responsibilities. Employers that directly or indirectly employ at least 20 employees are covered. When calculating the number […]
Three studies explore how HR professionals use their time, how the profession is regarded, and even how boring it is. Taking a day off this week for Memorial Day has allowed us a bit of time to reflect on HR as a profession. We’re helped in this by three surveys we’ve found that view HR […]
Courts have long acknowledged the validity of reverse discrimination cases when gender or race is concerned. But the validity of a reverse age bias claim has been less clear. In particular, could a worker in the over-40 protected class bring an age discrimination lawsuit if an older employee was favored at work? According to a […]
Jan. 1 is the effective date for new employment law in many states. Here’s a widely used tool to help you keep up with the changes. As of this week, if you allowed smoking in your company’s lobby or stairwells, you can’t anymore, if you operate in California. As of this week, if you operate […]