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Employment Law

TV station employee ordered to return stolen information

02/01/2007

A federal judge has ruled that CBS was correct in requesting that an employee at its Pittsburgh KDKA-TV station return all the confidential information she gathered from her boss’s desk and computer …

When (and how) can Pa. employees peek in their personnel files?

02/01/2007

The Pennsylvania Inspection of Employment Records Law guarantees employees the right to view their personnel files at work …

Workers’ comp claim can’t be basis for Title VII retaliation

02/01/2007

One part of the federal law that bans job discrimination (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act) makes it illegal to retaliate against employees who engage in “protected activity,” such as filing a discrimination complaint. But here’s a key point to remember: That protected activity must be related to discrimination claims under Title VII …

It’s up to employees to press harassment complaints

02/01/2007

While it’s vital to react promptly when employees formally file sexual harassment complaints, what do you do if they approach you informally and don’t want to make a formal complaint? …

211,000 reasons to make age-blind employment decisions: Employee can sue for mental anguish

02/01/2007

If Texas employers need any more reasons to avoid making hiring, firing, compensation or work condition decisions based on a person’s age, here’s a good one: Texas law says employees who prove their employers fired them due to their age are able to collect damages for mental anguish …

Court rejects Continental worker’s claim of benefit miscalculation

02/01/2007

A federal judge in Texas recently dismissed a lawsuit brought by an employee who sued his former employer under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), alleging that the company had breached its fiduciary duties …

Houston Teamster-Local President Convicted of Embezzlement

02/01/2007

A Texas jury recently convicted Charles Crawley, the former president of Houston-based International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 988, of embezzlement, mail fraud and falsifying official union records. His sentencing is set for March 23 …

Can We Reduce Benefits to Citizen-Soldiers?

02/01/2007

Q. In the past, we’ve extended additional benefits to our employees who were National Guard members called up for active duty. Although we’re not going to eliminate that practice entirely, we do want to reduce those additional benefits. Is there any problem with doing so? —L..S.

How to handle discipline for pregnant employees

02/01/2007

Q. We have an employee who was on probation when she became pregnant. What can we do if she continues to have performance problems? —J.J.

Texas law on background checks for minors

02/01/2007

Q. We do background checks on all applicants. I know the Fair Credit Reporting Act says we have to get the applicant’s permission. We hire some employees under age 18. Is there anything special we need to do? —A.G.