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Retirees’ right to vested health benefits for life did not preclude a manufacturer of agricultural and construction equipment from reducing or restricting those benefits, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently held in a split decision. In doing so, the circuit rejected the retirees’ argument that the company could not change the “scope” of […]
It’s not just healthcare costs that rise as a result of unhealthy employee behaviors. For example, how about the millions of lost workdays each year and billions in costs for drug and alcohol abuse? Should employers address such conduct? In an interview with BLR® editors, expert Lisa Ballentine said it’s just “responsible management” to do […]
by Steven L. Brenneman Employers with workers who earn tips have long struggled with adhering to special rules for tipped employees, especially when those employees may also perform duties that don’t produce tips. A recent decision by the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals—which covers Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin—provides some much needed clarity and comfort […]
A jury has handed down a $3.8 million verdict in favor of a hotel manager who complained of race discrimination, thanks to the employer’s overly aggressive reply to the worker’s lawsuit. Rabah Khatib sued his employer, Tower Corp., claiming that he was harassed and discriminated against because he is Arab-American. He also charged that his […]
On Friday, August 12, the Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta held 2-1 that the individual health insurance mandate provision found in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the comprehensive health care reform legislation that President Barack Obama signed into law in March 2010, is unconstitutional. More specifically, the court found […]
By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady BLR’s CEO suggests that if you want to get ahead in HR, avoid gambles, but take risks! As the CEO and owner of a small business, I get to observe the willingness of people to take risks. Some are natural risk-takers. Some will bet only on a sure […]
By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady Everyone says they hate meetings—yet they are a staple of 21st century business ritual. If we can’t meet in person, we do them on the phone or, increasingly, through such nifty gadgetry as GoToMeeting or Webex. Today, BLR’s founder and CEO Bob Brady shares what he’s learned from […]
BLR founder Bob Brady’s look at manager training may be tongue-in-cheek, but there’s a really important principle behind it. There was a wonderful article by author Amy Sutherland in The New York Times recently. She wrote about how animal training technique helped her train her husband. The article could help us train managers and supervisors, […]
Are juries worried about whether the facts meet the second prong of a prima facie case? asks attorney Edward M. Richters, No, they get to the jury room, and someone says, “Boy, did that guy get hosed.” Or, maybe, “She had it coming to her.” Bottom line, says Richters, “How would I want to be […]