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Compensation & Benefits

Encourage vacation days to discourage unpaid absences

08/01/2007

High gas prices and worries over job security have convinced more employees to take their vacations in short spurts this summer—a trend that might not be so good for your organization.

Florida passes domestic-Abuse law granting victims time off

08/01/2007
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Florida enacts law providing leave to deal with domestic violence

08/01/2007

For the first time, the state of Florida has passed a leave law that affects the private sector. The newly minted Domestic Violence Leave Law provides time off to employees who suffer domestic abuse …

Georgia limits workplace rights for breast-Feeding mothers

08/01/2007

Q An administrative staff member who recently gave birth is scheduled to return to work in a few weeks. She plans to have her mother bring the baby to the office several times a day so she can breastfeed. Our office manager says that’s not going to happen. Doesn’t Georgia law give women the right to breastfeed in the workplace?

Employees’ right to voting time off more limited than most realize

08/01/2007

Q Historically, we have allowed employees to take two hours off with pay on days when there are federal, state, or local elections. Our new vice president of HR says only certain employees are entitled to such leave and that it’s not paid leave. What are our obligations under Georgia law?

Employees’ right to time off for court summons has some limits

08/01/2007

Q We have received separate requests for time off for court appearances from three employees. What are our obligations under the law?

Don’t fire for FMLA absence, even with attendance problems

08/01/2007

Because the FMLA is an entitlement law, employers can’t interfere with emplolyees taking leave. But what about a chronically absent employee whom you’ve given one last chance? Do you have to sort out whether that final absence is covered by the FMLA—even if you could have fired him or her for absenteeism before? The answer is unequivocally “yes” …

Minor changes to working conditions don’t violate the FMLA

08/01/2007

While employees are off work on FMLA leave, things may change at the office. Work space may be realigned and reassigned, for example. But employers are obligated to return FMLA leave-takers to the same or an equivalent position after the leave expires. Does that mean the employee must get the same desk, office or location? Not necessarily …

Discipline for absences even if employee has disability

08/01/2007

Employees who take intermittent leave cause the greatest disruption in the workplace, according to comments received by the U.S. Labor Department on proposed revisions to the FMLA. That includes employees with disabilities who seem to need an inordinate—and unpredictable—number of absences. If you suspect abuse, don’t jump the gun …

Not all absences are equal; punishment needn’t be either

08/01/2007

You know you can’t go easy on one person for attendance problems and come down hard on another for the same offense—especially if he or she belongs to a protected class. But, as the following case shows, courts will conclude a discipline process wasn’t discriminatory if you can show that tardiness or absenteeism affected important work goals, such as productivity …