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Employment Law

Grooming policies: Establish limits, not discrimination

04/01/2001
Frank’s boss asked him to quit wearing his earring to work. Frank refused, arguing that women in the office were allowed to wear earrings. He was fired and then sued for …

Steer Clear of Asking About Religion

04/01/2001

Q. When, if ever, can our company legally ask an applicant about his or her religious affiliation? —R.M., Illinois

Tell State and Community When Big Layoffs Are Coming

04/01/2001

Q. Our company has been unable to secure financing and will run out of cash in the next four to six months. We may have to shut down and lay off all 200 workers. At what point do we have to notify employees of the possible closing? —R.Y., Maryland

State Family Leave Law May Ban Moonlighting

04/01/2001

Q. We recently learned that an employee on FMLA leave is working for another company. Can we fire her? —D.G., Arizona

Affirm At-Will Status

04/01/2001

Q. Should our employee handbook include a statement that gives us the right to terminate employees “at-will?” Our headquarters is in New Jersey with another office in Connecticut. —J.W., New Jersey

Cyberspace snooping can cost you

03/01/2001
Pilot Robert Konop was so upset with his employer and the union that he created a Web site to vent his feelings, even accusing the company president of fraud and comparing …

You don’t have to ignore harmful effect of absences

03/01/2001
Calvin Keeler started as a senior vice president overseeing 85 employees. He earned bonuses exceeding $30,000 while enjoying a large office. Within a few years, he had been downgraded to a …

Changing work conditions may strip worker’s exemption

03/01/2001
As a U-Haul field manager, William Whitesides spent a lot of time on the road visiting dealerships. But soon after he had an accident, Whitesides was reassigned to office work, …

Co-worker romance: Set a policy that balances rights, liability

03/01/2001
Jess McCavitt claims his company withheld a promotion and then fired him for being romantically involved with another officer in the company. He said their relationship had no effect on their …

You can put your seniority system ahead of ADA accommodation

03/01/2001
Vanessa Turpin suffered occasional seizures from a mild form of epilepsy. When Sara Lee shut down the plant where Turpin worked, she was transferred to another plant. However, she was bumped …