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

Employment Law

EEOC bias complaints near record high in 2012

11/30/2012
U.S. employees filed 99,412 charges of job discrimination with the EEOC in fiscal year 2012, which ended Sept. 30. That’s just 535 fewer than were filed in 2011, when the commission handled the most bias complaints in its 47-year history.

Employee is own lawyer? NC law on your side

11/30/2012
North Carolina’s employment and discrimination laws would appear to give em­­ployees many ways to sue their employers. Fortunately, each has specific requirements, which means employees who act as their own lawyers will have a hard time using them to sue you.

Track all ADA accommodation requests, responses

11/30/2012
If an employee sues over reasonable ADA accommodations, her attorney will probably ask how many recent accommodation requests you have received and whether you granted them. If you have this information on hand, it will be easier to defend the lawsuit.

Track all discipline just in case employee sues

11/29/2012
Not every terminated employee sues, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared. If you fire someone for breaking a rule, note which one.

Discovered unsuspected wrongdoing? Fire away!

11/29/2012
Sometimes, internal investigations pull back the curtain on performance problems that have nothing to do with the original inquiry. Even if it turns out that the initial reason for the investigation was unfounded, you don’t have to ignore other issues you may uncover.

Can we put worker’s photo & info on our website?

11/29/2012
Q. On our company website, we post employees’ pictures and a brief overview of their education and professional background. Recently, an employee asked us to remove her information for security reasons. She fears someone may google her name and find out where she works and the area she lives. Thoughts?

Supremes hear arguments: For Title VII, who’s a supervisor?

11/27/2012
No matter which way the Court rules in Vance v. Ball State, it will have a major impact on Title VII litigation. The floodgates could spring open, inviting more employee lawsuits. But a decision in Ball State’s favor would be a huge win for employers.

Does your workplace have a ‘macho’ culture?

11/27/2012
Some managers still don’t understand why dads need—or are legally entitled to—bonding time with their newborns. Make sure your supervisors understand that it’s unlawful to retaliate against men who take such FMLA leave to care for their children or parents.

Supreme Court: Vance case revisits supervisor liability under Title VII

11/26/2012
The Supreme Court tackles a contentious issue: When it comes to harassment and discrimination, just what does “supervisor” mean? Regardless of how the Court rules, employers must ensure that their policies and practices are consistent with Title VII.

It’s your call: Allowing intermittent FMLA leave after birth is up to employer

11/26/2012
The DOL’s FMLA rules clearly say, “An eligible employee may use intermittent or reduced schedule leave after the birth to be with a healthy newborn child only if the employer agrees.” Whatever you decide, put it in writing and be consistent.