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harassment

EEOC Task Force Recommends Training, Policies to Prevent Workplace Harassment

With workplace harassment claims on the rise, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently recommended practical steps and policies to help employers reduce the number of charges filed. Harassment claims constitute approximately one-third of all charges filed with the EEOC in recent years and can take a devastating toll on employers.

Keep Your Job Descriptions FEHA-Compliant!

California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) expands upon federal prohibitions against discrimination. As it applies to employers with five or more workers, your organization most likely needs to comply—and your job descriptions need to be crafted carefully to stay on the right side of the law. Here’s some help from attorney Marc L. Jacuzzi.

Do credit and criminal checks discriminate against minorities?

Over the past few years, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has aggressively challenged the use of credit reports and criminal history checks in hiring decisions, alleging that use of the information results in a discriminatory impact on candidates in protected groups. In 2012, the commission successfully negotiated a $3.13 million prelawsuit settlement of a […]

Voluntary Benefits: ‘Garbage’ Policies or Bargain Benefits?

While voluntary benefits are scoffed at by some as “garbage benefits that never pay,” such benefits may be very attractive to some employees and may help companies currently reviewing their benefits packages in light of the Affordable Care Act, says consultant Mike Miles. Miles is vice president and senior employee benefits consultant at Gregory and […]

Maternity, paternity leave and ‘sensitive situation’ bring up FMLA questions

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) can be a headache for HR since the law applies to so many situations. Recently, questions regarding the timing of maternity and paternity leave as well as the need for FMLA paperwork for an employee’s “sensitive situation” were put to a group of attorneys well-versed in employment law. […]

Case Study: Why Employers Need to Address Harassment Complaints Promptly

After a medical clinic employee reported harassment, she said she didn’t want her alleged harasser “approached about his behavior specifically directed towards [her].” As a result, the lower court determined the employer was excused from failing to address the conduct right away, especially since it did take prompt action once the harassment turned physical. On […]

mindfulness

Is Mindfulness Good or Bad for Teamwork?

The popularity of mindfulness has exploded in recent years. While the concept got its start as a source of personal well-being, its potential benefits for the professional world have become increasingly apparent, as well. Mindfulness vs. Meditation Mindfulness is often confused with meditation, and the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. While related, there are […]

Faces of HR: Richa Gupta on the Value of Technology + Empathy, People and Purpose

Welcome back to Faces of HR. The subject of our installment today is Richa Gupta, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Globalization Partners, a company that helps organizations build a global team quickly and easily. As CHRO, Richa leads all facets of Globalization Partners’ global workforce, while playing a key strategic role in scaling the […]