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Policies / Handbooks

More employers mandate masks to cut risks

07/23/2020
Sure, those face masks have been proven to help cut the spread of coronavirus. But employment lawyers say there’s another good reason to mandate them in the workplace for staff and customers—masks can reduce the spread of lawsuits, too.

Even after reopening, prepare for some staff to remain remote

06/30/2020
Redesigning workplaces for social distancing, virus containment and general safety is proving daunting and expensive. No wonder some employers are rethinking whether to reopen.

4 steps to stamp out anti-LGBT discrimination

06/18/2020
Priority No. 1: Make sure everyone in your organization understands that you will not tolerate any form of anti-gay discrimination or harassment.

NLRB OKs limited bans on cell phones at work

06/04/2020
The National Labor Relations Board has upheld an employer policy requiring employees to stow personal cell phones in lockers because safety concerns on the factory floor outweigh the “relatively slight risk” that the policy would interfere with employees’ right to engage in activity protected by the National Labor Relations Act.

Back-to-work checklist: Steps to consider in emerging from shutdown

05/21/2020
As workplaces reopen after the coronavirus shutdown, here is a checklist from The Conference Board to help your HR department plan these important safety, operational and legal decisions.

Taking temperatures: 6 tips to do it legally

05/21/2020
The EEOC has said checking temperatures during a pandemic is appropriate. Even so, there are legal risks. Follow these tips from the Foley & Lardner law firm.

Return to work: Revise policies, procedures

05/19/2020
As states slowly lift their shutdown orders, employees are returning to the workplace. But you can’t just swing your doors open. Every process in your organization needs to be rethought, because each step carries potential safety and legal risks.

Formalize remote work with telecommuting guidelines and agreement

05/08/2020
Now is the time to start bringing order to the telecommuting process. Here are some guidelines, including a sample telecommuting agreement.

#MeTooLate? Policy change won’t always stop lawsuits

04/23/2020
When the #MeToo movement exposed pervasive sexual harassment in corporate America, the board of directors at McDonald’s implemented anti-harassment policies that went far beyond what the law requires. Too bad that wasn’t enough to prevent what could prove to be a massive harassment lawsuit.

Back to basics: FLSA issues during the coronavirus crisis

03/23/2020
Your responsibilities under the Fair Labor Standards Act haven’t been canceled during the COVID-19 crisis. If you’ve sent employees home to work and some of those employees are nonexempt, you have a problem—tracking their work hours under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Here’s what you need to know about the FLSA.