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Hiring

12 manager mistakes that spark lawsuits

05/11/2010

Most lawsuits against employers don’t start with some outrageous injustice. More often, a simple management mistake or a perceived slight starts the snowball of discontent rolling downhill toward the courtroom. Here are 12 of the biggest mistakes managers make. They can all lead to litigation—and kill your credibility in court.

Inside job: Positions increasingly filled from within

05/07/2010
More than half (51%) of employers said they filled open positions last year with internal transfers and promotions. Just one year earlier, only 39% of respondents had filled positions with insiders, according to a new survey by CareerXroads.

OK to test for alcohol under ADA?

05/06/2010
Q. We suspect some employees come to work drunk. Are workplace alcohol tests lawful under the ADA?

Fair Credit Reporting Act doesn’t apply to complaints that lead to firing

05/06/2010
If you decide not to hire an applicant based on a background check, the applicant has a right to see the information the reporting agency provided. But what about complaints from customers or clients that become the basis for termination? Do those complaints have to be disclosed to the fired employee? Not according to a recent 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision.

Feds turning up heat on HR background checks

05/05/2010
Get ready for increased legal scrutiny and regulations of your background screening and prehire testing procedures. In recent months, the EEOC, Congress and state legislatures have signaled interest in putting new restrictions on employers.

5 tips to avoid this summer’s legal hazards

05/04/2010
Different seasons usher in different employment law risks. Employment law firm Fisher & Phillips offers this five-point to-do list to get ready for the coming summer months.

Hire the hungry, not the comfy

05/01/2010
Ideas on how to hire strategically during the economic downturn.

Is it legal to condition job offers on passing a drug test?

04/28/2010
Q. Our company wants to begin screening applicants for illegal drugs. Can we make job offers conditioned on the results of a drug test?

Why should we keep our policy of not providing references for former employees?

04/28/2010
Q. We have a few supervisors who think it’s OK to write reference letters only for “good” employees. But our policy says supervisors can’t issue reference letters for any current or former employee. I’m having a hard time finding a reason that justifies our policy. Any suggestions?

Don’t rewrite job description in middle of hiring process

04/28/2010

Before you post a job opening and begin the search process, be sure the job description is accurate and reflects the experience and qualifications you’re looking for in the ideal candidate. Above all, don’t change the description midstream after you’ve begun reviewing candidates.