HR Management

Court tosses vague OSHA rules

12/01/2000

Ignorance is usually no excuse for violating the law, but an appeals court recently ruled that federal safety standards on open ladders and platforms were too confusing. It threw out a …

Tally up payroll to find out if Title VII covers you

12/01/2000

Q. We have about 15 employees, many of whom work part time. A former employee filed a charge of discrimination against the company under Title VII. We don’t think our company is covered by Title VII because we don’t have 15 workers scheduled to work in most weeks. Do you think the case could be dismissed with that argument? —R.B., Texas

Weigh the pros, cons of mediating disputes

12/01/2000

Q. Do you recommend mediation for resolving employment disputes? —N.B., Minnesota

OSHA ergonomics rules to take effect Jan. 16

12/01/2000

The Clinton administration has pushed through controversial ergonomics regulations that are to take effect four days before the inauguration. Several business groups have filed suit to block the regulations. Their …

Don’t count on seniority system to block reassignment of disabled

12/01/2000

After injuring his back while working in a cargo job for USAir, Robert Barnett used his seniority to transfer to the company’s mailroom. When he learned two workers with more seniority …

7 tips to trim your legal bill

12/01/2000

Document everything. Take notes on all discussions with your lawyer, including date, time, your requests and all commitments.
Cluster needs. If you pay an hourly rate, bundle your questions instead …

Employees online? Take a byte out of your liability

12/01/2000

No employer wants to explain to a court why jokes like “Why beer is better than women” are bouncing around the company e-mail system. But that’s the position more companies are …

Gambling on who may sue is a losing bet

12/01/2000

When racial tensions among third-shift employees at a Wal-Mart boiled over, Gail Robinson reported it to her managers several times. African-American co-workers called her “white bitch,” shoved and threatened her …

Jilted lover’s badgering could become your problem

12/01/2000

Joseph Succar’s affair with Clemencia Lorenz soured after about a year. At the school where they worked, she verbally and physically harassed Succar and tried to embarrass him in front of …

Long service doesn’t guarantee job

12/01/2000

John Guz had worked for Bechtel for more than 20 years when his job was eliminated. Although Guz was an at-will employee, he claimed that his long record of raises, promotions …