Tag: Employment law

Changes to the residency requirement for grants of citizenship now in force

by Thora A. Sigurdson On June 11, the sections of the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act dealing with the residence requirements for citizenship came into effect. These sections apply to individuals who have obtained permanent resident status in Canada and want to apply for Canadian citizenship. In general terms, it will take longer and require a […]

Are for-smokers-only breaks unfair? Maybe, but usually not illegal

It’s a common frustration for employers: Some workers feel a strong need to break away from work a few – or several – times a day to get their nicotine fix. Other employees just feel a strong need to break away from work. If an employer allows smokers short cigarette breaks at various times through […]

Impending HIPAA audits will focus on risk analysis and training

Now that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finally appears to be moving ahead with its HIPAA audit program, health plans and other covered entities need to be preparing documentation and shoring up their risk analysis and training, among other things, HIPAA experts suggested in recent webinars. “They’ve been talking about it for […]

guidelines

OFCCP proposes updated regulations on sex discrimination

by Tony Puckett The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has announced proposed regulations updating its current sex discrimination regulations for federal government contractors and subcontractors. The proposed regulations are the first substantive update to the “Sex Discrimination Guidelines,” which the OFCCP adopted in 1970.  The OFCCP’s press release […]

“It’s not me, it’s you!” Seinfeld lessons on candid employee evaluations

I confess, I’m a Seinfeld junkie. I’ve watched every episode multiple times and literally love every single one—even the finale (I know, I know, I’m in the vast minority, but I’m committed, you could at least give me that). To this day, I watch Seinfeld’s re-runs over and over again, which I’m sure makes me […]

Single mom wins rotating shift job—then wants days only—and court agrees

by Christian Paquette Did an employer discriminate against a single mother when it required her to work the regular shift rotation job she’d applied for? An Alberta court was recently asked to rule whether an arbitrator was right in deciding against the employer. The court in SMS Equipment Inc. v. CEP, Local 707 agreed that […]

pipeline

Exploring how top management can get the most out of HR

Nobody likes the idea of being exploited. Such a notion conjures up feelings of being abused and unfairly taken advantage of. But turn the notion around. What serious human resources professionals wouldn’t welcome working for an organization that fully “exploits” their talents and skills?  HR pros have long advocated taking a larger role as a […]

Don’t ignore these e-mails! EEOC ramps up digital charge system

by Jeanine Poole On May 6, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced in a single press release that 11 of its 53 offices will begin a pilot program called ACT Digital. This new online charge system will digitally transmit documents relating to discrimination charges between the EEOC and employers and will affect the processing […]

Donald Trump will win (a Title VII lawsuit)

This is an entertainment-centered blog and therefore as good a place as any to discuss Donald Trump. By now you are surely aware of the nuanced approach Trump took toward U.S.-Mexico immigration policy in his presidential bid announcement:  “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending […]