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

HR Management

Don’t throw the book at fired employee–one good reason will suffice in court

06/23/2009

The more reasons you can dream up to fire an employee, the better. Right? Think again. Firing someone for one obvious rule violation will stand up better in court than a laundry list of petty transgressions …

Are Facebook postings private? Bosses and workers disagree

06/22/2009

Managers and employees have opposing views of privacy when it comes to employees’ off-duty postings on social networking sites, such as Twitter and Facebook. In a recent Deloitte survey, 60% of executives said they have a right to know how employees portray their companies online, but 53% of workers said their off-duty posts are none of their employers’ business.

OSHA warns employers to beware using fraudulent trainers for safety programs

06/22/2009

OSHA has established new requirements for trainers to become authorized to teach safety training courses in construction and other industries. Some trainers, OSHA says, are fraudulently failing to provide the appropriate training.

Stick to your story: Don’t shift explanation for termination

06/22/2009

One of the most legally dangerous things you can do after you terminate an employee is change the reason for ending the employment relationship. Instead, decide on a defensible rationale at the time of the termination. Document that decision and all the supporting evidence. Then remind execs and supervisors to stay on script.

Better heed Ledbetter: Audit pay policies to ensure equal pay

06/16/2009

Under the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, each paycheck that unfairly pays a worker less than it should is a discriminatory act. Now is the time to audit your pay policies. Involve your attorneys—to take advantage of attorney-client privilege protection while you correct any discriminatory practices you uncover.

Up ‘shift’: 9 tricks to turbocharge your computer skills

06/16/2009

We all know the “basics” when it comes to computers, right? Not necessarily. One person’s everyday shortcut may be another person’s “Cool! I didn’t know you could do that!” Try these nine keyboard and mouse tricks right now.

Minor adjustments: Complying with federal teen labor rules

06/16/2009

Your risk of running afoul of the child labor laws has increased, and penalties can be harsh. A recent government study found a surprisingly high percentage of teen employees working longer hours than federal law allows, and also in jobs deemed too dangerous by law. Now, federal and state safety investigators are more interested than ever in child labor compliance.

An hour of intermittent FMLA leave? A half hour? 15 minutes? How low can employees go?

06/16/2009

An employee approved for intermittent FMLA leave says she only needs to take an hour this week. Can she take leave in such a short increment? Could she take even less?

Not so warm and fuzzy at Aurora Build-A-Bear Workshop

06/12/2009

Stuffed-toy retailer Build-A-Bear Workshop has been cited for child labor violations, including several that allegedly occurred at its Aurora store. According to a federal audit, the company allowed workers under age 18 to operate trash compactors and ride in freight elevators without an adult operator.

You’re now strictly liable for supervisor sexual harassment

06/12/2009

In a significant ruling interpreting the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Supreme Court recently expanded employers’ potential exposure to sexual harassment claims and damages by holding that an employer is strictly liable for sexual harassment committed by a supervisor, even if the supervisor does not directly supervise the employee who is harassed.