A retaliation claim is expensive to defend and even more expensive to lose. And it's easy for employees to file one in matters related to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which covers wage and hour law. In the past, a retaliation claim for complaining about pay and hours was valid only if the employee put the complaint in writing. However, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling says … [Read more...] about How a comment about wages can lead to a costly retaliation claim
Compliance
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
Changes to watch for in disability and absence management
Employee leave continues to undergo change and become increasingly complex. Although several regulations, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Americans with Disabilities Act and Amendments Act (ADA/AA), have been in place for several years, legal interpretation and application are subject to ongoing clarification. Meanwhile, regulatory initiatives under the … [Read more...] about Changes to watch for in disability and absence management
Buried by paper? Time to crawl out and go digital
In a report dated August 9, 2012, Linda A. Halliday, the Assistant Inspector General for Audits and Evaluations of the Department of Veterans Affairs, called for immediate action to address the “Risks Associated with Veterans Claims Folder Storage, Building Integrity, and Employee Safety at the Winston-Salem VA Regional Office.” In her report, Ms. Halliday described thousands … [Read more...] about Buried by paper? Time to crawl out and go digital
Schedule employee vacations for maximum efficiency and minimum conflict
Ah, vacation. A time synonymous with sun, fun, and relaxation—unless of course you're the manager of a busy legal practice trying to create the office vacation schedule. Yes, staff members need, want, and okay, deserve time off, but how do you plan for vacations without adding stress to your calendar and causing employee conflict? Granting time off How much time off employees … [Read more...] about Schedule employee vacations for maximum efficiency and minimum conflict
Five employment law questions that crop up in just about every office
Here are five employment law questions on five unrelated topics. They are answered by attorney and employee relations consultant Jodi Eisenstadt. 1. To tell or not to tell How should the manager respond when a staffer brings in information about a legal violation in the office and asks the manager not to tell anybody? That's a common problem for managers who have come up … [Read more...] about Five employment law questions that crop up in just about every office
Watch out for federal and state laws when promoting your practice on social media and websites
Social media can be useful for getting a practice's name out there and helping potential clients find you. But there are legal and ethical issues raised by use of social media. Federal and state laws are also implicated when a law office decides to promote its services whether it be through establishing a website or participating in forums such as Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. … [Read more...] about Watch out for federal and state laws when promoting your practice on social media and websites
A tale of 2 workplace bullies and why they need to be stopped
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio If you're dealing with a bully in the workplace, you're not alone. According to an Associated Press alert, 29 percent of all U. S. managers and employees deal with workplace bullies, and according to a white paper produced by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), one out of six individuals report being bullied at work at some point … [Read more...] about A tale of 2 workplace bullies and why they need to be stopped
A tactical guide to dealing with workplace bullies
Have you ever had a confrontation with an aggressive co-worker where you just got so befuddled that you couldn't find the right words for the moment? Instead, a great comeback occurred to you hours later, probably in the middle of the night, after you replayed the situation over and over in your mind. Don't you wish there was a script you could memorize to help you out in … [Read more...] about A tactical guide to dealing with workplace bullies
How to hire the right employee for your firm
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio According to a Gallup poll, thirty percent or less than one-third of American workers describe themselves as "engaged" in their jobs and committed to their employers. A larger number, 54% percent, describe themselves as "disengaged" at work and not committed to their employers. These employees report feeling trapped in dull jobs and admit that … [Read more...] about How to hire the right employee for your firm