• The HR Specialist - Print Newsletter
  • HR Specialist: Employment Law
  • The HR Weekly

Employment Law

Workplace Drug Testing

01/01/2015

HR Law 101: Drug testing and substance abuse prevention programs can involve substantial legal liability if employers don’t manage and administer them properly. If your organization decides to implement a drug testing program, there are ways to minimize the risk of employee lawsuits …

Sex Discrimination

01/01/2015

HR Law 101: Sex discrimination and sexual harassment are illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The law requires that employers treat male and female workers equally in all terms and conditions of employment …

FMLA: Overview

01/01/2015

HR Law 101: Since 1993, the Family and Medical Leave Act has provided eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for the birth, adoption or foster care of a child; caring for a child, spouse or parent with a serious health condition; or convalescence after an employee’s own serious health condition …

How federal law prohibits family caregiver discrimination

12/30/2014
While family caregiver discrimination is not a new protected category (and no federal law expressly prohibits employment discrimination against caregivers), a number of laws provide protection for employees with caregiving responsibilities.

FLSA: The Minimum Wage

12/30/2014

HR Law 101: Passage of the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 marked the first boost to the federal minimum wage since 1997. In July 2007, the federal minimum wage increased from $5.15 to $5.85 per hour. Additional raises took effect over the next two years: to $6.55 on July 24, 2008, and to $7.25 on July 24, 2009.

Is employee ready to return to work? Provide a list of essential job functions

12/29/2014
When an employee wants to return from FMLA, you can require a specific fitness-for-duty certification from the doctor. But you also have to provide the employee with a list of the job’s essential functions for the doctor to use to decide fitness for duty. Otherwise, the doctor’s statement that the employee is fit for work may be very general—and then the employer will be obliged to let the worker return.

When the harassment is anonymous, respond just as quickly

12/28/2014
A recent case at Coca-Cola displays the importance of being fast and thorough in investigating harassment—even when you’re not sure where it’s coming from.

Screening/Hiring: Overview

12/28/2014

HR Law 101: Protecting yourself and your company from lawsuits starts the minute you decide to hire someone. Potential lawsuit land mines line your path. Federal laws provide a patchwork of legislation protecting workers and applicants from discrimination by employers …

What’s the federal youth minimum wage?

12/24/2014
Q. I am an employer that employs minors in certain occupations. Is there a federal youth minimum wage that I must pay my minor employees?

What restrictions limit child labor?

12/24/2014
Q. One of my employees asked if her 15-year-old son could work for my business. Under Texas law, in which occupations may teenagers be employed?