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HR Management

Act fast, train when sexual harassment complaints arise

09/26/2008

It takes more than a written policy to avoid liability for sexual harassment. But if you back up your policy with regular training and reminders and quickly fix any harassment problems that come to your attention, chances are you won’t be liable unless the harasser was a supervisor and the employee suffered an adverse employment action …

REDA provides whistle-blower protection during some internal investigations, too

09/26/2008

Until recently, it was unclear whether reporting unsafe or illegal working conditions to an internal auditor or another responsible party was “protected activity” under the North Carolina Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act (REDA). Now a federal court has decided that REDA may cover internal reports …

IT workers fed up with food-related PC problems

09/25/2008

More than half (56%) of corporate IT employees report that, in a typical month, they have to troubleshoot an employee’s food-related computer mishap, according to a Sunrise Software survey …

Casual Fridays morph into ‘razor-free Fridays’

09/25/2008

With drought conditions gripping much of the state, the Georgia Department of Agriculture is encouraging employees to skip their morning shaves as part of casual Fridays …

Wellness meets the holiday office party

09/25/2008

People traditionally pack on extra pounds during the Thanksgiving-to-Christmas string of holiday parties and office functions. Here’s one key rule for holiday partygoers.

Asking for a raise: 10 tips for making your pitch

09/24/2008
You may not be comfortable when it comes to negotiating your own pay and perks, so lay out your case using these 10 negotiation tips. From opening offers to the handshake that seals the deal, here’s how to make your case and get the rewards you deserve.

Cop is fired over sex charges, but he’ll still get pension

09/24/2008

The Altoona City Council fired Police Officer Herrick Johnson on Sept. 10 for allegedly having sex with a 16-year-old girl he met online. Johnson, 49, met the girl through a web site that promoted law enforcement careers …

Is it illegal to read others’ work e-mail?

09/24/2008

Q. I have reason to believe that someone in my department is reading my e-mail without my consent. Isn’t that illegal? …

Trouble in the air: The legal ailments of sick-building syndrome

09/24/2008

Although it may seem like the far-fetched excuse of an employee hoping to take a few days off from work, a condition known as “sick building syndrome” (SBS) is real. Some employees suffering from SBS have brought claims under the ADA. Others have sought recovery under state workers’ compensation laws …

Can we require male employees to keep their hair cut short?

09/24/2008

Q. May we require male employees’ hair be a certain length, or is that discrimination? Also, may we prohibit beards? …