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Policies / Handbooks

Cross-dressing at work isn’t protected by law.

05/01/2004
A hospital fired an ER doctor for violating its gender-specific dress code. The doctor had continued to wear nail polish, cosmetics and “visible female undergarments” after being warned that his appearance …

Using GPS to track employees: Know your rights, responsibilities

05/01/2004
It’s a fact: A small but growing number of employers use location-awareness technology, better known as global positioning systems, or GPS, to help keep track of their employees, boost productivity, sharpen …

Return pregnant employee to equivalent job

05/01/2004

Q. When an employee returns from maternity leave, do we have to give her the very same job she had or can she be put to work in a different type of position? —J.B., North Carolina

Can you ban males from ‘female-focused’ jobs?

05/01/2004
Issue: Some employers want to create male-only or female-only positions, often for privacy reasons.
Risk: You risk a discrimination lawsuit if this policy doesn’t have a sound business reason …

Focus on productivity in orientations, not paperwork

05/01/2004
Issue: Welcome new employees with information and support. Benefits: Smoother transition for new hires, improved productivity and reduced turnover. Action: Use the following tips to bring new hires up …

Same-sex marriage: Know the impact on policies, benefits

05/01/2004
Issue: How to sort out federal law and emerging state and local rules on same-sex marriages and unions. Benefit/risk: You don’t need to extend …

Even ‘Optional’ company events carry risks

05/01/2004

Q. Awhile back you suggested that we provide transportation home for employees who suffer an illness that could be work-related. Would that apply to company parties for which employees’ attendance is voluntary? —C.K, Illinois

Workers can file EEOC claims, even if covered by arbitration pact

04/01/2004
Don’t ask employees to sign away their rights, as part of a settlement agreement or lawsuit waiver, to file a discrimination claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commis-sion (EEOC) or …

You can offer better benefits to older workers, Supreme Court rules

04/01/2004
If your organization wants to cut employee benefit costs, the U.S. Supreme Court just flashed the green light on one tactic: You can offer more generous benefits to older employees than …

Alcoholics may be protected by ADA, but don’t tolerate at-work drinking

04/01/2004
You may be surprised to discover that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may protect workers who are alcoholics, even if they currently drink. To earn ADA protection, an alcoholic’s addiction …