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Employment Law

Release only essential information about a RIF

12/01/2006

When conducting a reduction in force (RIF), it’s vital to handle severance offers carefully. Make sure you don’t needlessly give discharged employees the idea that they can file an age-discrimination lawsuit …

Unpaid helper or official employee? Beware blurry line

12/01/2006

If you allow someone to perform work yet you never officially hire the person, don’t think you can avoid paying by calling her a volunteer. She’s your employee and must earn at least minimum wage …

The danger of fumbling lawsuit paperwork: a case study

12/01/2006

When facing a lawsuit, nothing kills your defense faster than ignoring the paperwork that automatically comes with the territory. While many employment lawsuits may be frivolous, make sure you retain counsel …

Merely reporting an injury doesn’t trigger FMLA notice

12/01/2006

The FMLA protects employees from termination for taking leave. But that provision doesn’t kick in until the employee notifies you about the serious health condition (or relative’s health condition) that triggers the leave …

FMLA allows longer paid leave than worker requests

12/01/2006

You can legally keep employees on FMLA leave longer than they requested so long as you provide them pay and benefits during that period.

Oral promise of extra pay is as binding as contract

12/01/2006

In Georgia, employers that promise to pay a bonus, commission or other extra compensation to employees had better be prepared to follow through. Even though those promises aren’t in writing, employees may be likely to hold you to any supervisor’s spoken promises …

Court: Hearing test used by UPS to screen drivers violates ADA

12/01/2006

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals recently affirmed that Atlanta-based United Parcel Service (UPS) violated the ADA by refusing to hire package-car driver applicants if they failed a hearing test …

Fatal accident at Georgia-Pacific illustrates scaffolding dangers

12/01/2006

As Georgia-Pacific recently learned the hard way, it’s important to regularly check compliance with OSHA safety standards. OSHA fined the Atlanta-based company $63,000 after a fatal accident at its Cedar Springs paper mill …

‘Adios, Regular Guys’; radio show sued for DJs’ harassing antics

12/01/2006

The “all in good fun” argument didn’t pan out for Larry Wachs and Eric Von Haessler, the “Regular Guys” on WKLS-FM 96 Rock morning radio show …

‘Intentional’ harm can trigger separate lawsuit

12/01/2006

Employees injured on the job typically have only one legal remedy: workers’ compensation benefits. But that restriction is blown out of the water if an employee proves that your organization’s actions amounted to “intentional” harm …