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drug test

Negative Repercussions of Mandatory Drug Screenings

Employers often feel an obligation to implement a drug screening program in the workplace, typically with safety in mind. It is used as a precaution to ensure people who would be a danger to others aren’t hired.  Random testing is also used to discourage employees from using drugs after hire.

Stumped? New Perspective=New Solutions

With the recent tragic death of comedian and actor Robin Williams, my family and I decided to watch one of his many great films over the weekend, Dead Poets Society. The movie is about a group of boys at a private prep school. It’s there that they meet Professor Keating, their new English teacher, who […]

Sexual

Is Nudity on TV in the Work Lounge Sexual Harassment?

The U.S. district court in Minnesota recently heard a claim from an employee who was exposed to scenes containing nudity on the television in the employee lounge. The employee claims that these scenes were sexual harassment, does she have a claim?

hiring

The Amazon Example: Can AI Discriminate?

Instinctively, it would seem that using a machine, data, or artificial intelligence (AI) to review job applicants would create a process that is fairer by default. Unlike people, the machine doesn’t have subconscious biases. It doesn’t have feelings or gut instincts. It should be able to make judgments and comparisons solely on merit and create […]

productivity

Remote Work and the Productivity Debate

It may seem hard to believe, but it’s been nearly a year since millions of Americans swiftly transitioned from in-office work to remote work. Between the logistical challenges of setting up multiple remote offices for individual teams, the difficulty of providing close supervision, and the lack of opportunities for traditional team meetings, a huge concern […]

Strong Evidence Needed to Prove Race Bias When Same Person Hired, Fired Worker

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 forbids discrimination based on numerous protected categories (e.g., race) in any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, and any other term or condition of employment. It’s not uncommon for employees to allege discrimination based on a protected category known at the time […]

gateway

Simple Starts: A Gateway to Changing Workplace Diversity

Changing corporate culture is a bit like deciding to live a healthier life.  It might feel like it will take a really long time. Concepts like “healthy” and “culture change” are amorphous, subjective, and often emotionally charged, not to mention daunting.

Holidays Survey Results in; How Do You Measure Up?

In our October Holiday Survey, we asked you about your plans for 2013 and 2014…and you responded! More than 3,000 of you told us how you will handle Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s holidays this year and next. Read on for information about holiday pay, holiday gifts, holiday parties, and more.

FMLA

Think You Can’t Terminate an Employee on FMLA Leave? Think Again

One of the biggest misconceptions about the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is that it insulates employees from disciplinary proceedings while they are on FMLA-approved leave. Anyone who assumes that taking FMLA-protected leave provides some type of protection from all disciplinary actions would be wise to remember the age-old adage about assumptions, as one […]