Tag: california hr
You’re the Expert: How Can I Stop the Tradition of Teasing and Pranks in Our Workplace?
Our workplace has a tradition of teasing and pranks. “All in good fun,” say the workers, but I think there are harassment suits building up in some employees’ minds as this continues. How can I get the message across to stop this behavior?
Discipline: What Do You Recommend to Improve Our Discipline Process and Remedy Employee Misconduct?
We are trying to make better sense of our discipline system. After people get a verbal and then a written warning, we suspend and ultimately fire them if the misconduct continues. But the suspension seems more like a gift than a punishment to many of our workers. What do you recommend for the “serious” steps […]
Disabilities: What Can We Do If an Employee’s Bad Hearing Is Endangering Other Employees?
We’ve got a fork truck driver whose hearing is so bad that he can’t hear people shout at him, and he can’t hear warning honks. We think he’s a real danger to other workers. What can we do? — Joel, HR Manager in Merced
Retaliation: Transit Agency Hit with $1.27 Million Verdict
An Alameda County jury has awarded $1.27 million to an African-American BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) train mechanic who claimed his superiors retaliated against him after he complained about harassment by a co-worker.
Dress Codes–What Legal Points Should We Keep in Mind When Implementing an Employee Appearance Policy?
We’re in the process of rewriting our employee handbook, and we want to modify our employee appearance policy. What do we need to consider? We want our employees to look professional, but we don’t want to get caught in a lawsuit. —Ronald W., San Jose
Employment Law Tip: Are You Ready for the Big One?
Just two weeks ago, a temblor measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale rattled San Jose and was felt throughout the reaches of the Bay Area. Fortunately, it didn’t cause any major damage. But the quake was another wake-up call for California residents and businesses about the possibility of a much bigger, destructive quake occurring in […]
Immigration: Government Issues Revised I-9 Form
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released a revised Form I-9, which is the form that all employers must complete for new hires to verify eligibility to work in the U.S. As of Nov. 7, 2007, the new form is the only version that is acceptable for use, although the USCIS says it […]
Wage and Hour: California High Court Backs Employer on Expense Reimbursement
In an important new ruling, the California Supreme Court has approved an employer’s practice of paying increased salaries and commissions to cover employees’ mileage expenses. At issue was Labor Code Section 2802, which requires employers to indemnify employees for necessary expenditures they incur as a result of the job. The employees here had argued that […]
Employment Law Tip: Steer Clear of Investigation Missteps
Conducting internal investigations can be key to helping employers avoid lawsuits when an employee complains or there’s other evidence of misconduct or workplace problems. But if not handled properly, investigations can also land an employer in hot water. In a recent Employer Resource Institute audio conference, California employment attorney Roy A. Clark discussed problems that […]