Employee Relations

Progressive discipline among best ways to beat bias claims

04/14/2008

There’s no law that says employers must use a progressive discipline system—but that’s no reason not to. In fact, using progressive discipline is one of the best ways to fight frivolous discrimination claims …

Use peer-Review process to assess subjective qualities—And justify discipline

04/14/2008

Whether dealing with clients or co-workers, an abrasive, rude and arrogant employee can spell big trouble. The problem, of course, is measuring something as subjective as likeability or abrasiveness. One possible way: Use a peer-review process to gather relevant information and a consensus on how well employees get along with others …

Make common sense the driving force of your business

04/10/2008

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Top 5 mistakes employers make and how to avoid them

04/10/2008

Poor communications with employees isn’t just bad for business. It also creates a work environment that’s ripe for legal trouble. Stay out of the courtroom by taking time to explain your actions and make the workplace seem rational to employees. Here’s how.

Don’t hesitate to discipline a rude and insubordinate employee

04/09/2008

Nothing disrupts the workplace like a rude and nasty employee—especially one who thinks she’s smarter than everybody else and constantly tries to show it by criticizing co-workers and others. To stop the damage, you may have to act firmly, even if that means the employee may sue. If you back your actions with solid evidence, chances are a judge will throw out the case …

Pew report gives low grade to Illinois government

04/09/2008

The Washington, D.C.-based Pew Center recently released a report grading state governments on their general performance. Illinois scored a C on the report card. In keeping with contemporary sensibilities, this C did not mean average—it meant the bottom of the barrel …

State’s lawyer says she was punished for union organizing

04/08/2008

Assistant Attorney General Amy Lawler says she was suspended for speaking out in favor of a union movement in the attorney general’s office. But Attorney General Lori Swanson’s administration says Lawler was put on leave in March only because she had failed to follow the proper channels in raising ethics concerns …

Older worker’s performance falling? Document the decline before discharge

04/08/2008

It almost never looks good in court when an employee who has been with the company for decades suddenly loses his job. For many potential jurors, that smacks of age discrimination even before they’ve heard any testimony. That’s one reason to try to get age cases dismissed long before a jury gets a chance to impose its judgment …

6 steps for managing ‘difficult’ employees

04/07/2008

Charging falsification? Make sure you can back up claim