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Employment Law

Lead exposure lands Bethlehem companies over $100,000 in fines

05/01/2007

OSHA fined Bethlehem-based Brey- Krause Manufacturing Co. and L.M. Smoyer Brass Products more than $109,000 for violations in a shared foundry area …

H-1B visa cutback strands companies seeking foreign workers

05/01/2007

Many companies this spring scrambled to get a hold of their share of highly skilled foreign workers through the federal H-1B visa program …

Miner’s death was preventable

05/01/2007

The U.S. Labor Department’s Mine Safety and Health Administration recently published the results of its investigation into a fatal October accident at an underground anthracite mine operated by R&D Coal Co., Inc. in Schuylkill County …

Philadelphia police officer charged with coercing 2003 sex show

05/01/2007

The Philadelphia Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division recently released the results of its investigation into a 2003 incident in which an officer jailed two Philadelphia women, who were never charged with a crime, and then ordered them to undress and perform sex acts on each other …

‘Pig’ kept right on working; hospital going straight to court

05/01/2007

A former critical care director at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Passavant has filed suit against the hospital claiming gender discrimination and retaliation …

When and how you can use ‘English-Only’ rules in the workplace

05/01/2007

Philadelphia landmark Geno’s Steaks made headlines when it posted a sign that reads, “This is America. When ordering, please speak English” … Although the Geno’s case deals with an attempt to apply an “English-only” rule to customers, it highlights a growing issue in U.S. workplaces …

Does health insurance discriminate against single or childless workers?

05/01/2007

Q. My company pays health insurance for all spouses, children and domestic partners of my co-workers. I am single and don’t have children or a domestic partner. Am I being discriminated against since they receive more benefits than I do?

Do a Passed-Over Worker’s Complaints Against a New Boss Count as Harassment?

05/01/2007

Q. A more senior employee was recently passed over for a promotion because a newer employee is clearly more qualified. Now that this person is the boss, the more senior employee has filed several petty complaints against her. Although we are aware that these complaints are completely invalid, as the HR department, we have to take them seriously. But it is a shame for the new supervisor to have the complaints piling up in her file. Is this considered harassment?

Personal liability for HR professionals?

05/01/2007

Q. I know that my company can be sued by my current and former employees for its employment actions. Do I, as an HR professional, have personal liability for my participation in employment decisions?

How to discuss late hours without bringing up family obligations

05/01/2007

Q. We have a position open in our sales department for someone who will be planning and executing company-sponsored events, most of which would take place outside normal 9-to-5 working hours. Is there a way we can ask about the applicants’ family situations and make it clear that missing these events because of family obligations would not be tolerated?