Why you need this policy: Telecommuting offers significant business advantages to a law firm. But it also comes with some liability challenges for employers who choose to offer telecommuting. How this policy helps you: The best way to avoid the 8 pitfalls of telecommuting is to establish a policy that sets out clearly the arrangement, the expectations and the criteria for … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Telecommuting
Compliance
How cultural differences complicate sexual harassment issues
By Steve M. Cohen bio You are probably tired of hearing about it, but some people never seem to understand that sexual harassment is not ok. "No" really does mean "no," and the workplace is not a singles' bar. Sexual harassment can also be a form of bullying or predatory behavior. In any form, sexual harassment is not acceptable and organizations that fail to deal with it make … [Read more...] about How cultural differences complicate sexual harassment issues
Model Policy: Nondiscrimination and diversity
Why you need this policy: The diversity of the 21st century work force has made offering equality of opportunity to individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or other personal characteristics not related to their professional abilities is not just a legal mandate but an economic imperative. How this policy … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Nondiscrimination and diversity
Model Policy: Copyright compliance
Why you need this policy: Copyright infringement has become a serious liability risk for law firms: * In 1991, a mid-sized Washington, DC, law firm was sued for $14 million by a publisher. The case was eventually settled but not until after the firm incurred over $1 million in legal fees; * In 1999, a large Wall Street firm settled a … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Copyright compliance
Model Policy: Reduced schedule and flexible work arrangements
Why you need this policy: Once upon a time, the belief was that an individual could be an attorney or a primary caregiving parent but not both. Attitudes—and laws—have changed this thinking and opened the door to all kinds of flexible work arrangements allowing attorneys to balance their professional and parental obligations. How this policy helps you: Every law office needs a … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Reduced schedule and flexible work arrangements
Model Policy: Sexual harassment
Why you need this policy: Personnel issues are among the most difficult problems faced by law office managers. And few personnel issues are any more difficult than sexual harassment. How this policy helps you: The starting point in managing sexual harassment is to establish a clearly written, specific policy that includes a/an: Policy statement indicating that sexual … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Sexual harassment
Keeping the records long enough . . . but not too long
Do you know how long you are required to keep the firm’s tax records? How about any reports of on-the-job injuries? And what about e-mails? Here’s a summary of what you need to keep and for how long. Record retention raises questions in almost all offices. And because of the uncertainty, offices tend to hang onto records far too long, says attorney and record management … [Read more...] about Keeping the records long enough . . . but not too long
Same-sex marriage brings new employee issues
Though it applies only to states where same-sex marriage is legal, the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage warrants attention from administrators in all states. For those in Washington, DC, and the 13 states where gay marriage is recognized, there are new employment law requirements. For those in all the other states, the ruling calls for increased emphasis on … [Read more...] about Same-sex marriage brings new employee issues
Health reform’s delay on employer mandate raises lots of questions
Do you understand how the employer mandate of the Affordable Care Act affects your business? Here’s a quick look at the mandate. There’s a new delay in health care reform. It’s a one-year postponement of what’s known as the employer mandate of the Affordable Care Act. That mandate says large employers, or those with 50 or more full-time employees, have to provide health … [Read more...] about Health reform’s delay on employer mandate raises lots of questions
Two ADA surprises: odd disabilities and legal fees that can hit the sky
First, what the firm may not think is a disability could well be one. Second, the ADA applies to access to public places such as stores and restaurants – and law offices. And while it "has a noble purpose," along the way "it's been hijacked by a subset of plaintiffs who have made it their life's work to target as many public accommodations as possible for monetary gain," says … [Read more...] about Two ADA surprises: odd disabilities and legal fees that can hit the sky