Policies / Handbooks

CROWN: After Oscars, hairstyle laws heat up

02/27/2020

“Hair Love,” winner of the 2020 Academy Award in the Best Animated Short Film category, has shined a spotlight on legislation that affects employers’ grooming policies.

With EEOC on a roll, enforce your policies

02/20/2020

The EEOC has been active recently, addressing a wide variety of workplace harassment and discrimination cases. Here’s a sampling.

OK to expect better behavior from managers

02/06/2020

While a subordinate might be excused for a minor rule breach, his supervisor could legitimately be disciplined for breaking the same rule. Just make sure your handbook outlines this greater expectation.

Prepare workplace for coronavirus pandemic

01/30/2020

It’s too soon to tell if the coronavirus outbreak that started in China will become a worldwide pandemic, but public health officials are bracing for the worst. Prudence says employers should start planning now in case the virus starts spreading in the U.S.

Clear harassment policies, reporting procedures protect both victims and employers

01/15/2020

Employers sometimes assume that the safest course of action is to fire any employee accused of harassment. But that can be a painful choice if the employee is hard to replace or is otherwise a good worker.

In San Antonio, ‘English-only’ rule exposed even more bias

01/15/2020

Former owners of La Cantera Resort and Spa in San Antonio have agreed to pay more than $2.5 million to settle EEOC national-origin discrimination charges.

Precisely document justification for policies

01/08/2020

Here’s an important reminder when creating or modifying employment policies: Treat every memo as if it will end up as evidence in a lawsuit.

Hairstyles become latest flashpoint for grooming disputes

11/25/2019

Hair is becoming the new battleground over employer expectations and employee compliance. Increasingly, state and local authorities have stepped in, siding with employees who challenge grooming policies.

In #MeToo era, you need a contingency plan

11/14/2019

In the days after McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook’s termination for having a consensual romantic relationship with a woman at work, details emerged showing that the fast food company had prepared in advance to handle relationships between C-suite executives and subordinates. Your organization needs a contingency plan, too.

Best defense: Consistent rules universally enforced

11/07/2019

When an applicant or employee launches a lawsuit, courts naturally end up scrutinizing your organization and its processes. The best defense: Have consistent rules that you universally apply to everyone.