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Employment Law

It’s now less costly to settle job-discrimination claims

12/01/2004
A little-noticed provision in the new tax law will benefit employers who are looking to settle discrimination lawsuits for the lowest possible amount.
Victorious plaintiffs in discrimination cases can now …

‘Tis the season for charity, but beware violating ‘No solicitation’ policy

12/01/2004
It’s common this time of year to receive charitable requests to help schools, the homeless, the needy, etc. The requests may come from outsiders or even among co-workers. Not a problem, …

Govt. Rarely Requires In-House ‘Sick Area’

12/01/2004

Q. Is our company required to provide a couch or cot on the premises in the event that an employee becomes ill? Are there any laws that dictate safety or health reasons for doing this? —V.A., Ohio

Rehiring ex-employees? Be wary of hidden legal risks

12/01/2004
Issue: Many organizations rebounding from the economic slump are rehiring former employees.
Risk: You face special legal dangers when bringing back people who were laid off, fired or quit on …

New law may help save money when settling lawsuits

12/01/2004
A little-noticed piece of a new tax law allows victorious plaintiffs in discrimination cases to take a full tax deduction for their attorney’s fees and court costs. Until now, for example, …

Move your career forward by avoiding ‘Foot-in-Mouth’ disease

12/01/2004

Issue: All the talent in the world won’t help if your mouth works against you.
Risk: A penchant to blurt out inappropriate comments at work can undermine your credibility with …

Reinstate employees right after leave; don’t delay

12/01/2004
Issue: Employees’ right to immediate reinstatement when returning from leave covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Risk: Any delay in returning employees to their jobs after FMLA …

Bilingual bias: Don’t overwork staff who speak multiple languages

11/01/2004
You’re free to assign employees based on their foreign-language ability. For example, you can assign bilingual Spanish-speaking employees to serve customers who
speak Spanish.
But remind managers not to …

Retaliatory job reference is illegal even if a person’s hiring was unlikely

11/01/2004
When you provide references about former employees, keep quiet about whether the ex-employee had sued the company in the past. And train managers to do the same. Spilling the beans about …

Erase ideas of ‘implied contract’ with repeated at-will statements

11/01/2004
Make sure all versions of your company policies, whether in employee handbooks, online policies or even offer letters, contain clear at-will employment statements.
As this ruling shows, you won’t be …