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Employee Relations

Beaumont police officer wins $150,000 gender bias award

03/03/2009

Clearly, there is no fury like that of a woman scorned—especially one unfairly passed over for promotion. Officer Tina Lewallen filed a complaint with the Beaumont Police Department after two men were promoted to the narcotics unit ahead of her. When the department failed to investigate the complaint, Lewallen sued …

U.S. Supreme Court rules: Prepare for more retaliation claims

03/03/2009

On Jan. 26, the U.S. Supreme Court once again expanded the ability of employees to sue for retaliation. The court held that an employee who answers a question about a fellow employee’s improper conduct during an internal sexual harassment investigation is engaging in “protected activity” under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Communication Corner: March ’09

02/26/2009

Halt interruptions by giving your office a makeover … If it’s important, re-re-repeat it … Follolw these 5 steps to becoming a better conversationalist … Help employees prioritize their tasks … Make a good impression with the "Rule of 12/12/12."

Know what constitutes insubordination

02/26/2009

Employees who oppose their employer’s illegal or discriminatory conduct are protected from retaliation. But that doesn’t mean such employees have the right to be insubordinate, rude and nasty. There’s a fine line between voicing opposition to a practice and challenging superiors in an insolent way.

Harassment alert! Negligent hiring/supervision law applies

02/26/2009

Employers that ignore their employees’ sexual harassment pleas—beware. Not only may you be liable under Title VII, but you may be liable under state law, too. And that can mean huge damage awards far beyond federal caps.

Has the recession motivated your employees?

02/26/2009

Nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents say the economic nose dive has not had any effect on their motivation at work, according to a survey by global talent assessment firm SHL.

Discrimination: Who is disabled under North Carolina state law?

02/26/2009

As time has passed, the North Carolina Persons with Disabilities Protection Act has evolved to cover more disabled North Carolinians. For example, the first version of the law excluded “working” as a major life activity, thus preventing coverage for those who might not be able to work without substantial accommodations. In 1999, the Legislature added “working” as a major life activity …

2 N.C. companies make Fortune ‘best to work for’ list

02/26/2009

Two companies headquartered in North Carolina have made Fortune magazine’s 2009 “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. The two, both headquartered in Cary, are engineering firm Kimley-Horn & Associates and software giant SAS.

Prepare for the EFCA—even if unions never worried you before

02/24/2009

By now, most employers have heard of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), the proposed legislation that would make it dramatically easier for unions to organize workers and obtain favorable terms in the initial collective-bargaining agreement. Is it time to panic? Of course not, but it is time to take action.

Personal information on work computers: No expectation of privacy

02/24/2009

A New Jersey appeals court has held for the first time that an employee has no reasonable expectation that personal information stored on work computers is private—even if the employee has created a separate password to protect the information. Employers have the right to search work computers.