• The HR Specialist - Print Newsletter
  • HR Specialist: Employment Law
  • The HR Weekly

Communication

Show managers why discipline must remain confidential

10/01/2003
Issue: If managers “go public” about employee discipline, it could spark an invasion-of-privacy lawsuit.
Risk: Jury awards and damaged employee morale, leading to turnover …

Flex your strategic muscle to avoid being ‘outsourced’

10/01/2003
Issue: As outsourcing grows and gains popularity, you need to prove your value to the organization.
Benefit: Protect your job and build a reputation as a “big-picture” …

COBRA: Explain ‘qualifying events’ in notice

10/01/2003
When sending notice to a former employee about COBRA health insurance rights, define the type of “qualifying events” that cause COBRA to kick in. People have 60 days after a qualifying …

Involvement, not psychic ability, is your duty under the ADA

09/01/2003
When it comes to establishing “reasonable accommodations” for disabled employees, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) puts the burden squarely on employees’ shoulders to speak up about their needs for accommodation. …

Dump strict language policy; EEOC cracks down

09/01/2003
If your company requires employees to speak English at all times (even lunch hours and breaks), drop that policy now. Such broad English-only rules violate Title VII.
And even if …

Don’t let ticked-off co-workers shoot the messenger (you)

09/01/2003
Issue: How to stay calm and collected while handling complaints from angry employees.
Benefit: Deflect anger without taking the blame … or adding stress to your day …

Ask on-Leave employees to tell you when they’ll return

09/01/2003

Q. Is it legal to require that employees on FMLA leave report to us regularly on their plans to return to work? —P.R., New York

Dump strict English-only policy; EEOC cracks down

09/01/2003
Issue: Requiring employees to speak English can be legally risky.
Risk: Overly broad or misguided policies can trigger a national-origin discrimination complaint …

Dazzle your managers with ‘constructive disagreement’

08/01/2003
Issue: How to exert influence over people who don’t report to you.
Benefit: Fend off bad ideas without developing a reputation as “difficult” or discouraging future good ideas.
Action: …

Treat FMLA policy changes with care, communication

08/01/2003

When establishing or changing your Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) policy, make sure you include it in your employee handbook. Don’t rely on references to the policy outside the book, and don’t attach or staple the policy separately.