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Work / Life Issues

Taking on more work/Life duties? Start by collecting data

02/01/2007

As work/life benefits have become mainstream, organizations have shifted their administration from stand-alone work/life departments to their employee benefits specialists. The good news is that the same management skills that contribute to an outstanding comp or benefits program also make for the best work/life programs …

‘Virtual officing’ allows Forest Service to retain top staff

02/01/2007

Some of the National Forest Service’s star employees have considered turning down promotions rather than relocating to major Forest Service locations in cities. Many have said they’d quit rather than abandon their rural lifestyles …

‘Balanced hours’ program helps recruit, retain lawyers

02/01/2007

Law firms often eschew scheduling flexibility because their income is based on billable hours. But the loss of a few hours isn’t as expensive as recruiting new lawyers. That’s why law firm Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham introduced its Balanced Hours program, allowing its busy lawyers to telework and flex their schedules …

‘Gift of time’ benefits: Nice perk, but consider safety, too

02/01/2007

To thank employees for working 10-hour days during the busy tax season, RSM McGladrey gives them back some of their time: four hours of it, to be exact …

North Carolina Leave Laws

02/01/2007

Besides complying with the federal FMLA, North Carolina employers must abide by the state’s leave laws on school visitation and jury duty. Employees who are parents or guardians may take up to four hours per year of unpaid leave to attend or participate in their children’s school activities. And it’s illegal for employers to punish employees who are summoned for jury duty or as witnesses in court …

Texas Law on Employment Discrimination for Participating in Emergency Evacuation

01/15/2007

Anyone who has lived through a rough hurricane season in Texas understands the disruption that an emergency evacuation creates. Such evacuations and subsequent returns cause real hardships for employers. But employees who evacuate their homes and jobs are protected from discriminatory employment actions due to the Texas law on Employment Discrimination for Participating in Emergency Evacuation …

Florida Clean Indoor Air Act

01/15/2007

Florida recently amended its Clean Indoor Air Act to comply with the Florida Health Initiative. The law prohibits smoking in all enclosed indoor workplaces except: private residences or private clubs, retail tobacco shops, smoking-designated guest rooms in hotels and motels, stand-alone bars and designated smoking rooms in airports … 

New York’s Employee Leave Laws

01/15/2007

New York employers must contend with an assortment of leave laws in addition to those required by the federal FMLA and the ADA’s reasonable accommodations requirements for employees with disabilities …

California’s Employee Leave Laws

01/15/2007

In addition to complying with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, California employers must wade through a maze of the state’s leave laws, ranging from paid family leave for a serious health condition to time off for school visitations and emergency rescue duty …

Illinois’ Employee Leave Laws

01/15/2007

Illinois employees have enhanced leave options in addition to their rights under the federal FMLA. Employers with 50 or more employees are subject to Illinois’ School Visitation Rights Act, the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act and the Employee Blood Donation Leave Act. Also, employers with at least 15 employees must comply with the Illinois Family Military Leave Act …