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Policies / Handbooks

Worker’s on-duty errand can spark liability

03/01/2004
Your organization is typically liable for injuries caused by employees when they’re “acting within the scope of employment.” You aren’t liable when employees cause injuries on their own free time. But …

Err on the side of stating the obvious in job descriptions

03/01/2004
It’s clear that some jobs require employees to work on site and work alongside others. But must you state that fact in every job description? The following case says “No,” you …

You can monitor workers’ e-mail, but notify them first

03/01/2004
Employees won’t sue you for snooping in their e-mail if you make it clear (early and often) that it’s not their e-mail. It’s your property, and you hold the right to …

Major revision planned for ADA’s access rules

03/01/2004
In January, a government panel approved the first major update of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations since 1991. That move revises the ADA’s Accessibility Guidelines, which govern how organizations must …

E-mail/Internet use: You have power to set, enforce policy

03/01/2004
THE LAW. Don’t believe employees’ claims about their desktop privacy. Current laws give your organization wide latitude to monitor and restrict employees’ use of e-mail, the Internet and other computer …

Avoid arbitrary policy on reinstating job titles

03/01/2004

Q. An assistant manager has been out on disability leave for four months, and she’s requested another two months. I want to eliminate the position. How long do I have to keep the position closed before reactivating the job title and responsibilities? —K.J., Mississippi

Misconduct is the key to enforcing your ‘no rehire’ policy

03/01/2004
Issue: When can you refuse to rehire a former employee who may be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? Benefit: You don’t have to rehire people who are …

Phrase job offers carefully to avoid confusion, lawsuits

03/01/2004
Issue: What you don’t say in a job-offer letter may be just as important as what you do say. Risk: Fired employees may try to use poorly written job-offer letters …

Use caution in firing employee after On-the-Job injury

03/01/2004

Q. An employee in our plant was directed by a replacement line supervisor to use a machine that he wasn’t trained to operate. The employee stuck his hand into the machine to clear a jam and was injured. The plant supervisor fired the employee while he was still in the hospital for operating machinery he hadn’t been trained on. Does the employee have a right to sue us if he was actually ordered by the line supervisor to do this job? —K.C.

Develop rules for using cell phones while driving

03/01/2004

Q. One of our managers was talking on his company cell phone when he struck and injured a pedestrian. Can the pedestrian sue the company? —P.L., Washington