Active shooter events are devastating and unpredictable, says Melissa Gonzalez Boyce, a legal editor for XpertHR. She also points out that, unfortunately, the frequency of these incidents has increased, and often occur in a place of business. "Due to recent events, I believe more organizations are seeing the need for policies to prepare their employees for such an … [Read more...] about 6 steps to prepare for an active shooter event in the workplace
Risk management
Protect your firm from costly EEOC claims with these three layers of protection
To avoid the risks of employment law claims, an office needs three layers of protection, advises employment law attorney Peter T. Mavrick of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. They are: A handbook, A procedure for progressive discipline, and Candid reviews. With those three elements in place, the office is safe from just about any type of EEOC claims. Here's what each … [Read more...] about Protect your firm from costly EEOC claims with these three layers of protection
Is your firm’s sensitive data being sold on eBay?
Ecommerce sites are reselling used electronics without permanently erasing data from them, according to The Leftovers: A Data Recovery Study recently released by Blancco Technology Group. Based on an analysis of 200 second-hand hard disk drives and solid state drives purchased from eBay and Craigslist in the first quarter of 2016, 67 percent of the used drives contained … [Read more...] about Is your firm’s sensitive data being sold on eBay?
Five dangers in dealing with harassment complaints
As with firing, the rules are well known, yet employers still fall into the common violations that spawn claims of sexual harassment, says management consultant Joseph Godwin of F&H Solutions Group in Asheville, NC. Here are five areas that warrant attention. 1. No, it's not sour grapes Don't dismiss any complaint, particularly one from a fired or demoted employee, as sour … [Read more...] about Five dangers in dealing with harassment complaints
Follow these 7 guidelines to protect your firm’s digital data
According to a recent study, American business leaders are unprepared for the increased threat to information security that comes with flexible office environments. The 2016 Shred-it Security Tracker information security survey shows that leaders are not providing the protocols and training needed to ensure customer and competitive information remains secure in a mobile work … [Read more...] about Follow these 7 guidelines to protect your firm’s digital data
Are you prepared for the most costly claim your law firm could face? Do you even know what it is?
By Sharron Bauer bio What do you think is the most costly claim your law firm could face? A malpractice claim? Nope. A slip and fall? Wrong again. Give up? A data breach! I can hear you now: Are you kidding me? Yes, that's right. The most costly claim your firm faces is probably NOT going to be: a grievance filed or a claim against your Lawyers Professional Liability (or … [Read more...] about Are you prepared for the most costly claim your law firm could face? Do you even know what it is?
How the FLSA’s updated rules regarding overtime affects your firm
By Sandra Hoyle-Smith, SPHR bio President Obama and Secretary Perez recently announced the publication of the Department of Labor's final rule updating the overtime regulations, which will automatically extend overtime pay protections to over 4 million workers within the first year of implementation. What does this mean for you? Between now and December 1st, you will … [Read more...] about How the FLSA’s updated rules regarding overtime affects your firm
EEOC issues final rules on employer wellness programs
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination, has issued final rules that describe how Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) apply to wellness programs offered by employers that request health information from … [Read more...] about EEOC issues final rules on employer wellness programs
Cybercrime and 7 basic security measures your firm should take now
Cybercriminals are continuing to exploit human nature as they rely on familiar attack patterns such as phishing, and increase their reliance on ransomware, where data is encrypted and a ransom is demanded, finds the Verizon 2016 Data Breach Investigations Report. This year's report highlights repeating themes from prior year's findings and storylines that continue to play off … [Read more...] about Cybercrime and 7 basic security measures your firm should take now
How to stop being a “hit and run” supervisor
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio How many times have you left the scene of a hit and run employee accident? Have you dented any employee fenders this month? What did it cost you? When hit and run supervisors spot problem situations, they race to the scene, take fast action and speed away, not realizing they may have left one or more employee casualties in their … [Read more...] about How to stop being a “hit and run” supervisor