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Employee Relations

How to conduct positive, valuable assessments

11/01/2003
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It’s OK to discipline employees for public displays of affection

11/01/2003
If employees’ on-site amorous actions are making you or their co-workers uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to tell the lovebirds to withhold their romance for more private, off-premise moments. Courts will likely …

You may need to offer flex schedule as ADA accommodation

11/01/2003
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) says you must make accommodations to let disabled employees perform the essential functions of their jobs. But regular, on-time attendance is an essential job function, …

Tell Supervisors to Make FMLA a ‘Work-Free Zone’

11/01/2003

Asking employees to perform even a minimal amount of work while they’re out on an FMLA absence could spark a lawsuit. And firing someone for refusing to pirtch in while out on leave almost surely will …

‘Self-defense’ is no excuse for ignoring anti-violence rules

11/01/2003
Issue: Employees may try to use “self-defense” as a reason for breaking your no-fighting rule.
Risk: That would limit your ability to punish violent workers …

Play it safe: Craft policy banning supervisor/subordinate relationships

11/01/2003
Issue: Personal relationships between employees and their bosses are ripe conditions for legal trouble.
Risk: Any form of quid pro quo (“this for that”) exchange of sexual favors for job …

Consider paying staff if computer error halts work

10/01/2003

Q. Is it OK not to pay hourly employees if we have to send them home because our computer system went down for the day? —J.B., Massachusetts

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 …