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Employee Relations

Does your workplace need an employee civility code?

04/24/2008
If it seems like you’re hearing more vulgar words and behavior spewing forth from employees these days, you’re not alone. It may be time to draft a simple employee civility policy or code of conduct that is separate from your harassment policy. Such a policy gives you more legal leverage to discipline employees who are equal-opportunity verbal abusers. It could protect you if you’re ever sued …

Paper evaluations? Switch to software to limit subjectivity

04/24/2008
There’s no such thing as a completely objective performance evaluation. It’s impossible to totally eliminate manager subjectivity. That can become a legal problem when, for example, a poorly rated employee is promoted over a minority. Increased subjectivity is one of the main reasons employers should consider turning to performance evaluation software …

Which day is best to fire, hire or give reviews?

04/24/2008
A study by consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reports that Mondays are the best days to terminate employees because it allows them to start looking for a job right away. Make job offers on Thursdays because candidates need time to think …

Worker notification in case of plant closing

04/23/2008
Q. The economy is slowing down and we may have to close one of our locations. Does North Carolina have any law beyond the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act that requires notice of large layoffs or business closings? …

Treat all harassers equally, regardless of their sex

04/23/2008
In what may be a sign of growing equality, more men are complaining about sexual harassment by their female co-workers and supervisors. Although female harassers may still be in the minority, that’s no reason to dismiss claims that men make …

Court voids grocery worker retention ordinance

04/18/2008
A Superior Court judge recently voided a 2005 ordinance that required large supermarkets to retain workers following an ownership change …

Tap into the lawsuit-saving power of self-reviews

04/17/2008

When an employee sues over an alleged discriminatory firing, courts typically make a beeline for one piece of evidence: the employee’s performance evaluation. The problem: Supervisors are notorious for giving overly kind evaluations, even to poor performers. That’s why it’s wise to get another opinion: the employee’s own …

Employee or contractor? Degree of control is key factor

04/17/2008
The IRS and the courts are increasingly ignoring the “independent contractor” label that companies increasingly slap on their workers. Instead, they’re reclassifying those relationships as “employees.” And that’s not good for employers …

Pressure to ‘Balance’ staff may show reverse discrimination

04/14/2008
Are you under pressure to make your work force better reflect the racial or ethnic composition of the surrounding community? If so, be aware that manipulating hiring or promotions to achieve that goal at the expense of any particular race may mean a reverse discrimination lawsuit …

Punish offenders to set example that prevents harassment

04/14/2008
When you learn that a supervisor has sexually harassed and punished—or threatened to punish—a subordinate to gain cooperation or for rejecting an advance, send a strong message to all managers and supervisors. Promptly fire the harasser or demote him—or her—out of a supervisory position. Then reinstate the harassed employee …