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Policies / Handbooks

Michigan OSHA inspection

06/01/2007

Q. Michigan’s labor department has sent us a letter stating that a MIOSHA safety officer will be coming to inspect our facility regarding an employee’s safety complaint. Are we obligated to let the safety officer come into our plant and question our employees? Will the officer tell us who filed the complaint?—C.B.

Don’t just ban smoking on-Site; help employees quit

06/01/2007

Even if you ban smoking at work, nicotine-addicted employees will still manage to find a place to light up. And trying to hire only nonsmokers could create legal troubles. So what’s the best way to cut your high health costs related to smokers? Actively help them quit …

Visits from customers help workers understand their mission

06/01/2007

At Medtronic, employees never wonder if their jobs are important. Once a year, they invite medical patients who have benefited from the company’s products to come to the firm’s Minneapolis headquarters and share their stories …

Use confidentiality clause to guard against ‘Litigation theft’

06/01/2007

Employees pursuing legal actions against their employers sometimes snoop around to see what documentary “evidence” of wrongdoing they can find around the office. Protect yourself by having a clear policy against such unauthorized document distribution …

Another reason to enforce violence policy: To avoid workers’ compensation liability

06/01/2007

Policies forbidding threats, fighting and other kinds of violence promote a harmonious and safe workplace, but there’s another good reason to ensure employees aren’t doing each other bodily harm. If you don’t take concrete steps to stem horseplay or outright aggression, you just might pay the price in higher workers’ compensation premiums …

The court affirms: Your employee has the right to an attorney

06/01/2007

An Ohio appeals court significantly expanded employees’ rights recently when it upheld a fired employee’s right to trial after her employer terminated her because she threatened to talk to her attorney …

Train your managers: Make no promises about wages or raises

06/01/2007

Florida contract law recognizes oral contracts. That’s why it’s important to train all managers and supervisors to avoid promising employees any specific wage increases …

Don’t like the hairstyles? Off with their wigs, too!

06/01/2007

The Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation Department recently issued a new dress code that some officers say discriminates against black workers …

House shoots down bill to allow guns in the parking lot

06/01/2007

A Florida House committee voted down House Bill 1417, which would have forced employers to let workers keep guns in locked cars on company property …

Existing attendance policy ignored? Start enforcing rules now

06/01/2007

If your managers have been less than consistent about enforcing attendance policies, suddenly sticking to the rules could prompt lawsuits. But you can start enforcing the rules now without triggering trouble if you do it the right way …