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Hiring

‘Overqualified’: Legit phrase or lawsuit bait?

03/26/2009

With unemployment at its highest level since 1983, many applicants have far more experience and education than the job requires. But be alert: Advise hiring managers to avoid using the term “overqualified” in front of job candidates or in any written description of them. Rejected applicants could view the term as an age-related code word, thus sparking an age discrimination lawsuit.

The HR I.Q. Test: April ’09

03/24/2009

Test your knowledge of recent trends in employment law, comp & benefits and other HR issues with our monthly mini-quiz …

Offering a job? Do it the legal way

03/24/2009

When it comes to making job offers, your hiring managers could be inadvertently locking your organization into an employment contract with the new hire. It’s a common mistake, and only a few words can send you down the wrong path. Follow these six do’s and don’ts when offering a job:

Can we ask applicants to take a TB test?

03/24/2009

Q. We’re aware that tuberculosis is on the rise. Can we ask applicants—and employees—to take a TB test? What about interns and volunteers? (We operate a substance abuse center.)

Study reports effects of state nurse staffing ratios

03/20/2009

The nonprofit California HealthCare Foundation (CHF) has concluded that California’s minimum nurse-to-patient requirement has had little direct effect on the quality of care. The goal of the minimum staffing ratios, implemented in 2004, was the improvement of patient outcomes.

Make sure all medical tests you require are truly job-related and necessary

03/20/2009

Watch out! Some tests you use to see whether employees or applicants are suitable for a job could screen out individuals with disabilities. You could wind up in court defending against an ADA claim.

Movie production companies wrap up PDA suit for $75,000

03/13/2009

Two production companies for Will Ferrell’s movie Stranger than Fiction will pay a rejected job applicant who was pregnant $75,000 to compensate her for discrimination.

Use promotion panel to ensure one manager’s bias doesn’t taint entire process

03/13/2009

Sometimes, a supervisor or manager may favor a subordinate for a promotion because he shares some other relationship that has nothing to do with work. That doesn’t always mean there’s discrimination going on. Protect your organization by using a promotion panel to score and interview candidates. That way, you can root out any favoritism that could affect the promotions process.

New Best Buy business plan will cut some jobs, add others

03/12/2009

Richfield-based electronics retail giant Best Buy is adjusting its business plan in response to the economic downturn. The move will cost 250 jobs in Richfield, but the company plans to hire 210 additional people.

How to write the perfect rejection letter

03/10/2009

Mounting layoffs are creating a glut of qualified and aggressive job hunters who are desperate for work. As their frustration grows, more applicants are reading deeper into their rejection letters—sometimes spotting job promises or hints of discrimination that you never intended.