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Employment Law

Even if you’re wrong, you can fire employee who’s on FMLA

09/17/2012
Surprise! If you reasonably believe an employee who’s out on FMLA leave broke a workplace rule, you can fire him—even if it turns out you were wrong.

6th Circuit weighs in: What makes a bias complaint protected?

09/13/2012
Employees who complain about alleged discrimination are protected from punishment under the so-called opposition clause of Title VII. Not every vague allegation, however, amounts to opposition.

Horseshoe Casino Cleveland employees vote to unionize

09/13/2012
On Aug. 16, an arbiter certified election results allowing employees at the Horseshoe Casino Cleveland to collectively bargain under the banner of the Cleveland Casino Workers Council.

Harassment investigation costs Butler County $45K

09/13/2012
Butler County taxpayers now know that hell hath no fury like a court reporter scorned. When a nine-year affair between Judge Michael Sage and court reporter Jennifer Olivier ended, the strain was felt throughout the courthouse.

Employment law features in Toledo courtroom drama

09/13/2012
It’s probably a good thing this case will be heard in Lucas County Court. A former law clerk for the Toledo Municipal Court has filed a lawsuit against the city, the court and six of its judges.

Worker broke no-violence rule? That’s grounds for discharge

09/13/2012
As long as you treat all employees equally, courts won’t second-guess your decision to fire someone for ­violating an anti-violence policy.

Prompt investigation cuts co-worker harassment liability

09/13/2012
Employers that promptly investigate sexual harassment claims aren’t liable for co-worker harassment.

If your new hire can’t physically perform the job, feel free to terminate

09/13/2012
Sometimes, a female applicant believes that she has the skills and ability to do a very strenuous job even if she hasn’t tried before. Go ahead and give her a chance, knowing that if it doesn’t work out, you can terminate her. Just make sure you document everything.

Fired for insisting on legal compliance, HR pro will get his day in court

09/13/2012
Here’s some encouragement for HR professionals caught in a seemingly no-win situation. If you are fired for insisting that the company comply with anti-discrimination laws, you probably can sue.

Employee behaving strangely? Think twice before urging her to seek counseling

09/13/2012

Do you have an employee you think is acting strangely? Do you think she might benefit from counseling? Before you tell her she needs to get help, consider that she just might try to sue you instead. That’s especially true if she refuses counseling and then loses her job.