Employee Relations

Use software to block employee music downloads

02/01/2004

Just one hip-hopping employee downloading tunes can sap your computer resources, expose you to legal problems and kill productivity. Advice: Make sure your computer-use policy prohibits music downloads and outlines punishments. …

Don’t lower standards for disabled staff

02/01/2004

Q. One of our employees has multiple sclerosis and isn’t meeting our production standard, which calls for 70 percent production level. This employee is achieving only a 59 percent level. From an ADA standpoint, what would be a reasonable accommodation? —M.R., Pennsylvania

You decide definitions for full- and part-Time status

02/01/2004

Q. How many hours must employees work to be considered full time? Part time? —D.S., Texas

Compliments on dress and hair don’t equal sex harassment

01/01/2004

A female supervisor repeatedly complimented a female customer service rep on her choice of jewelry, clothing and hairstyle. The rep sued, alleging the constant comments were harassing and constituted a hostile …

When facing a bias lawsuit, avoid these three dumb defenses

01/01/2004

Your organization can defend itself against race discrimination lawsuits in many ways, but a recent ruling illustrates how three excuses will flop in court …

Hidden risk: Do your staff committees violate labor law?

01/01/2004

Consider these two scenarios:
1. At the suggestion of a project manager, your organization starts an employee committee to provide workers a voice in safety issues. Management and the safety …

Don’t hem & haw: Speak like you mean business

01/01/2004

Issue: The phrases you use to offer your ideas can sabotage your credibility with other people. Benefit: Nobody takes you seriously when you don’t speak confidently. Action: Take the …

Barefoot, pregnant … and dragging you into court

01/01/2004

Issue: Even one offhand remark, if timed just right, can spell “discrimination.” Risk: Years of diligence in preventing discrimination among managers can go up in smoke instantly. Action: Advise …

No need for OK before misconduct investigations

01/01/2004

Good news: You no longer have to notify employees suspected of workplace misconduct that they are targets of third-party investigations. Congress recently altered the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) …

No need to get employees’ OK before misconduct investigations

01/01/2004

Good news: Your organization no longer has to notify employees suspected of workplace misconduct that they are targets of third-party investigations. That’s because Congress recently reauthorized the Fair Credit Reporting Act …