Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
By Mark I. Schickman Imagine a horrible accusation made against one of your managers — maybe harassment, maybe violence, maybe theft, maybe drugs. This is an outspoken employee who has sued you before — and won — and with whom you have to be careful. But under heavy pressure from top executives, you immediately fire […]
When properly drafted, arbitration agreements can help to efficiently and quickly resolve workplace disputes. But as a new case points out, if your agreements fall short of what courts require, you may end up in an expensive legal battle over whether the agreement is enforceable—and find that it isn’t.
Amazon.com updates its list of the bestselling books every hour. Here is a snapshot of what is hot in the “Skills” section of the “Business and Investing”category. 1. How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie. A classic (originally published in the 30’s) and a must-have, this timeless piece of work can help […]
In two recent cases, employers are facing lawsuits based on inappropriate comments the complaining employee never heard or saw. In the first case, a Mexican-American applicant rejected for a position at State Farm Insurance got the green light to sue because the hiring manager later allegedly referred to another employee as a “dumb Mexican.” Although […]
After selling and delivering bottled water for more than three years, Peter Ramirez quit his job and sued his employer, Yosemite Water Company, for back overtime. His lawsuit, which went all the way to the California Supreme Court, highlights how difficult it can be to determine whether or not outside sales personnel qualify as exempt […]
A second employer has been sued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over its employee wellness program. Once again, the EEOC alleges that the company’s penalties for nonparticipation rendered the program involuntary, making it a medical inquiry prohibited by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The latest case, announced Oct. 1, involved a plastics manufacturer […]
HIV-positive individuals are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act even if they don’t yet have any AIDS symptoms, according to a new U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The court’s reasoning could have broad consequences in the workplace because it may open the door to legal protection for employees whose conditions aren’t necessarily disabling, such as […]
With the rising cost of higher education, some are considering whether a 4-year degree is worth the price, or whether they could land a high-paying career with an associate’s degree. A new CareerBuilder® survey, conducted with Economic Modeling Specialists, lists the highest-paying jobs that require an associate’s degree. Here are the top five jobs, along […]
With leadership development a top talent management priority this year, recent studies are finding that many employers plan to increase their investment in this area and focus on key core competencies.
Do you have any general suggestions for dealing with employees who request leaves often? Particularly the difficult ones we’d like to get rid of anyway? We really don’t want to get nailed for unfairly denying leave, especially if our reasons are valid. Thanks. — Anonymous in Anaheim