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The Dangerous First Year for New Supervisors

New supervisors have a lot to learn about managing their people, and that’s to say nothing of the welter of compliance challenges they face. Compassionate but untrained supervisors can quickly create surprisingly expensive liabilities. Today’s Advisor concludes the five critical factors for supervisory success. The ideas are from Jonna Contacos-Sawyer and Polly Heeter Wright. Both […]

Legislation Update: Few New Laws for California Employers; What the Governor Signed and Vetoed

The California legislative session is now over, and while many workplace-related bills were approved by the state Senate and Assembly, Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed all but a handful of them. In fact, the governor vetoed 35 percent—a record—of all bills sent to him, following the historic 85-day delay in passing a state budget and the governor’s […]

Disability Discrimination: Long-Running Case Involving Refusal to Rehire Recovering Addict Demonstrates How Questionable Decision Continues to Haunt Company

Nearly two years ago, we began reporting on a lawsuit involving Hughes Missile Systems’ decision not to rehire an employee terminated for reporting to work under the influence. The question of whether the decision violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) went to the U.S. Supreme Court, which sent the case back to the Ninth […]

Novartis Agrees to Pay Drug Reps $99 Million to Settle Long-standing Overtime Dispute

The New Jersey drug manufacturer Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation has reached a $99 million settlement with its drug sales representatives. The agreement, announced jointly by management and plaintiff representatives Jan. 26, resolves overtime pay disputes pending since 2006. “We believe this settlement is in the best interest of our employees and the company,” said Novartis President […]

Ergonomic Update—Enforcement, but No New Legislation

Guest Post by: Elaine Quayle Editor Business & Legal Resources, Inc. Ergonomics issues may have been on back burner, but there is new interest in reducing injuries caused by inferior ergonomic practices. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health finds that health problems associated with poor ergonomics compose the most prevalent lost-time injuries and […]

Next phase of Houston’s equal rights law set

As of June 27, more employers will be covered by the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO). The ordinance adds to the protected classes covered under federal and state civil rights laws. HERO took effect on June 27, 2014, covering employers with 50 or more employees. On June 27, 2015, the law will cover employers with […]

Who Is Your Mentor?

“A trusted counselor or guide.”  That’s Webster’s definition of a mentor. Who do you have in your professional life that you can trust for sound counsel and guidance? It’s critical to your success and, likely, your emotional well-being to have people to whom you can turn when you’re struggling, need advice, or just want some […]

Job Descriptions Gone Wrong!

Improper job descriptions can confuse your organization, stifle creativity, and land you in a lawsuit. Here’s what to watch out for. Job descriptions are among the most prosaic tools in the HR toolbox. They’re a basic of every HR program, the blueprint of who does what, when and where, and how it all fits together […]

EEOC: ADA Allows You to Discipline the Disabled

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued a comprehensive question-and-answer guide addressing how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to a wide variety of performance and conduct issues. According to the new guide, employers can apply the same performance standards to all employees, including those with disabilities. It also points out that the […]

The Gift That Keeps on Giving: Tax Trouble

Considering gifts for your employees this holiday season? Maybe a turkey or ham? Or perhaps a gift card to a local department store? Be sure you consider the tax implications before you give. Believe it or not, the Internal Revenue Service rules vary depending on the type of gift.