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Personnel Files

Job hazard may trigger workers’ comp years later

01/01/2007

When it comes to workplace hazards, take note: Georgia employees have a very long time to file for workers’ comp benefits. As a result, you should keep meticulous records for many years on where and when employees worked …

Preserve e-mail records; new e-discovery rules kick in

01/01/2007

When employees sue your organization, you must turn over any related documents—including old e-mail messages and computer records—during the discovery phase. But be aware that recent changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure place an even greater burden on you to come clean with what information you have …

Confronting poor performers: 6 tips for managers

01/01/2007

No manager enjoys having “the talk” with employees. But ignoring an employee’s poor performance won’t make the problem go away; it’ll only make things worse.

Pay Attention to New Proof-of-Age Requirement for N.Y. Employers

12/01/2006

A little-noticed amendment to New York’s Labor Law imposes a new recordkeeping requirement on New York employers. We’re all familiar with the requirement that, for most types of employment, minors under age 18 must provide employers with employment certificates, commonly known as "working papers," to lawfully hold jobs …

‘Secret’ reviews are bad policy and may be illegal

12/01/2006

Q. We don’t allow our employees to read or comment on their evaluations. Instead, we discuss the content with them one-on-one and have them sign an acknowledgment that they have discussed their performance. Do we have to show them the actual evaluation or give them a copy?—D.J., Michigan

What’s your responsibility under the new Georgia immigration law?

12/01/2006

The Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act (GSICA), signed into law last April, imposes numerous responsibilities on employers. Although the law focuses primarily on public employers and contractors, some of the less publicized aspects of the law will affect private employers, too …

New rules on discovery of e-mail, IMs take effect

12/01/2006

If your organization is sued, it must turn over related documents, including old e-mails or computer records. New changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure that took effect Dec. 1 place more burdens on you to come clean with what you have …

Workers have two years to sue under PHRA

12/01/2006

When an employee files an EEOC claim and the federal agency decides to dismiss it, that employee has up to 90 days to file a lawsuit on his or her own behalf. But it’s a different story with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) …

If Employees Sue, Double-Check Their Qualifications

11/01/2006

When employees sue you for discrimination, be sure to pull out their job applications and résumé for a second look. You may discover that they misrepresented their education or job history, which could sink their case …

Survive a PHRC probe only with precise documentation

11/01/2006

Conventional wisdom holds that employers won’t face strict scrutiny if they fire employees who aren’t meeting performance expectations during their probationary period. Conventional wisdom is wrong, at least when it comes to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission …