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Employment Law

Staph infection breeds claims in addition to bacteria

05/01/2007

A former registered nurse for the Oakland County jail has sued the county after she contracted a drug-resistant, flesh-eating staphylococcus bacterial infection while working at the jail …

Court Administrator’s Job Cut by Bible-Thumping Judge

05/01/2007

A state judge who allegedly rants about “devil’s weed” and “Satan’s surge” while attaching biblical verses to legal opinions is being sued after he axed a deputy court administrator’s position in his office …

Security-Breach Notification Onus Falls on Michigan Employers

05/01/2007

Michigan employers will have a new set of responsibilities when the state’s new security-breach notification law takes effect on July 2. Under the law, owners and licensers of databases are required to notify Michigan residents whose personal information has been accessed by an unauthorized person. Failure to provide timely notice will subject employers to both fines and civil lawsuits …

Direct deposit requires employee’s written consent

05/01/2007

Q. We have been told by our accounting office that the company could save a great deal of money if it could get away from the payroll practice of providing employees with checks, and instead go to a direct-deposit arrangement. We have both a non-union work force and a small group in a union. Can we go ahead and implement such a change, or negotiate a change with the union?—M.B.

Does FMLA require leave to care for grandchildren?

05/01/2007

Q. The out-of-town daughter of our employee has been confined to bed rest during her pregnancy. The daughter is 24. Our employee has requested FMLA leave to be with her and take care of the grandchildren. Are we required to honor this request?—J.B.

Status of Domestic-Partner Benefits in Michigan

05/01/2007

Q. In November 2006, Michigan passed a constitutional amendment that prohibits the state from recognizing non-marital unions. We have employees who are seeking health insurance benefits for their domestic partners, who are of the same sex. Does the Michigan constitution preclude us from agreeing to provide health insurance for our employees and their domestic partners?—L.S.

Failing to follow call-in rules doesn’t void FMLA claims

05/01/2007

You probably have a policy requiring employees to call in when they need time off to deal with health issues or face termination for abandoning their jobs. But don’t expect your procedure to trump the FMLA …

Beyond business need, show why individuals got sacked

05/01/2007

Reductions in force (RIFs) happen for a reason—usually financial. To keep legal fees and jury awards from mooting savings, be sure to document why a RIF is necessary and who should get pink slips …

Require Early Clock-In? Allow Early Clock-Out, or Pay

05/01/2007

Do you require hourly employees to clock in a few minutes before they start their shifts to make sure they’re ready to work? If you don’t start paying at that time, you’d better allow an early clock-out …

When planning a layoff, use a checklist to avoid needless age bias litigation

05/01/2007

If an upcoming reduction in force (RIF) will affect older workers, create a paper trail to demonstrate compliance with the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act …