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Policies / Handbooks

Encourage organ donations by offering extra days off

12/08/2008

Offering an extra three to 30 days of paid leave to employees who donate bone marrow or organs could improve your organization’s reputation as a company that cares about its community. Less than half of 1% of those who register as potential donors will ever be called to give, so the benefit will cost your organization very little.

Yes to Christmas tree and no to menorah does not religious discrimination make

12/08/2008

Your company probably put up a Christmas tree to brighten the workplace during the holiday season. And it is also possible that an employee suggested it might be nice to put up other symbols of the season, such as a menorah. If you rejected that suggestion, should you worry that you’ll be ringing in the New Year with a religious discrimination lawsuit?

In search of the elusive ‘Abercrombie look’

12/08/2008

Dulzia Burchette, a black former saleswoman for the preppy-glam Abercrombie & Fitch clothing store chain in New York City, is suing the Ohio-based retailer for racial discrimination.

Can we regulate breast-feeding at work?

12/08/2008

Q. Does our company have to permit new moms to nurse at work?

You can apply rules more stringently to employees with greater responsibility

12/04/2008

Do you sometimes worry that every decision you make about an employee’s rule-breaking must be absolutely fair and that there is only black and white, but no gray? If so, rethink that idea.

Must we allow former employees access to personnel files?

12/04/2008

Q. A former employee has contacted our HR manager demanding a copy of her personnel file. Must we make this available?

Prepare for change when ADA Amendments Act takes effect next month

12/04/2008

The ADA Amendments Act of 2008, which goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2009, is designed to restore protections for the broad range of individuals with disabilities, as originally envisioned by Congress. The amendments were also meant to reverse several U.S. Supreme Court decisions that limited the ability of individuals to qualify as disabled …

Personnel records: Your guide to ADA and FMLA medical confidentiality

12/02/2008

Both the ADA and the FMLA have strict requirements for how employers must handle employee’s confidential medical information. HR professionals must know these rules to comply with both laws—and to avoid expensive legal liability for failing to do so. Here are the details you need.

The new FMLA: 9 changes you must comply with

12/02/2008

For the past 15 years, complying with the FMLA has been complex, but at least the law stayed the same. On Jan. 16, that all changed. That’s the day the first major overhaul of the FMLA took effect. Here are the details.

How can we make the season bright—without exposing ourselves to legal liability?

11/25/2008

Q. Our employees have proposed that the company sponsor a holiday party at a local restaurant. Although we want our employees to have a good time, aren’t we exposing ourselves to potential liability?