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Make agreements truly a last chance: It’s OK to forbid appeals or challenges

02/05/2009

If you want to give an employee one last chance to fly right, you can use a so-called “last chance agreement.” Such contracts can be used, for example, to set the terms for being drug or alcohol free and submitting to random testing. Last-chance agreements can even include tough terms

U.S. Supreme Court to hear reverse discrimination appeal

02/05/2009

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review a reverse discrimination ruling by the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, which had upheld a lower court’s decision that the city of New Haven, Conn., could refuse to certify the results of two fire department promotion exams…

Begin accommodations process after job offer

02/02/2009

Many disabled applicants choose not to reveal their disabilities during the selection process and don’t reveal the need for reasonable accommodations until after they have been offered a job. Don’t ignore that request, or you could wind up in court for violating the ADA.

What should we have said—and say in the future—about an employee fired for theft?

02/02/2009

Q. We fired a part-time employee for stealing a gift card out of the trash. We have a policy against taking anything of value out of the garbage. The next day, his supervisor announced to everyone that the employee had been fired for theft. I don’t think it was appropriate to tell others the reason. Was it? And what should we say if someone calls for a reference?

Choosing among well-qualified candidates? Consider diverse panel to make decision

01/27/2009

Sometimes employers have the delightful problem of having several qualified candidates for a position or promotion. But that good problem can turn into a legal nightmare if an employer winds up fighting discrimination claims from a passed-over applicant. One approach that helps guard against discrimination charges is to have a diverse panel help make the hiring decision.

Charlotte-Meck to run criminal checks on current employees

01/27/2009

After a teacher was caught using heroin in an elementary school classroom, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools decided it needed to do more than check newly hired employees for criminal records.

Senate begins confirming Obama’s HR-related Cabinet nominees

01/21/2009

Expect swift confirmation of President Obama’s nominees to head the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, Labor and Justice. And expect the Obama administration to take a far harder line than the Bush administration did against organizations that break employment-related laws.

Are we required to send job-offer letters?

01/16/2009

Q. Are we required to give applicants official offer letters? What does a letter have to spell out?

Hire illegals? Feds send message with record fine

01/16/2009

IFCO Systems, the nation’s largest pallet manufacturer, agreed last month to pay a record $20.7 million fine to settle claims that it knowingly employed illegal immigrants.

State agency cuts drug testing to stretch shrinking budget

01/16/2009

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has stopped conducting drug tests on job applicants as a cost-cutting measure. DCFS introduced the drug tests in February 2008 for all applicants for jobs that involved direct contact with children and families.