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Managers can sink you with ‘spiteful’ references

01/01/2004
Issue: Court ruling makes it easier to win defamation suits stemming from poor job references. Risk: Thousands of dollars in defamation claims. Action: Limit the number of people authorized …

When must you pay people for working while on break?

01/01/2004
Issue: Court ruling adds uncertainty to when you must pay hourly employees for work performed on their breaks. Risk: Liability for back and overtime pay. Action: Urge managers to …

Insurance: Steer clear of negligence claims

01/01/2004
Make sure you keep your insurance payments up to date. If you let your policy lapse and an employee files a claim, you open up yourself …

Don’t mess with FMLA’s leave restrictions

01/01/2004
Issue: Courts continue to ambush employers’ attempts to tighten leave-notification procedures. Risk: Following a policy that violates federal law. Action: Route employee-absence calls to one person (possibly you) who …

When does COBRA apply?

01/01/2004

Q. Our business has 14 employees, and we pay 100 percent of their health insurance costs. One employee is out on workers’ comp. Are we required to continue paying his health insurance, or can we offer him COBRA? —P.F., Delaware

10 ways an attorney will attack you on the stand

01/01/2004
Login Email Address Password I forgot my password To continue reading this page, become an HR Specialist Premium Plus member today! Your subscription includes: Ask the Attorney: Answers to your HR legal questions Compliance Guidance: Access to 7,000 HR news articles, updated daily, sorted by state State-by-State: Summaries of HR laws in all 50 states […]

React quickly to employee threats

01/01/2004
Issue: Firing someone who threatens a co-worker may be worth the risk of being sued for wrongful discharge. Risk: Wrongful-discharge claims versus serious injury or even death: Which would be …

Avoid stricter notification policy than FMLA requires

12/01/2003
Can your organization require employees to give notice of their need for FMLA in a way that’s more stringent than the standards set by federal law? Courts are split on this …

Don’t fudge or exaggerate details of insurance coverage

12/01/2003
Never exaggerate the quality or quantity of employee benefits, either in written communication or when trying to sell an applicant on your organization. Courts will make you stick to any promises, …

Now’s the time to evaluate your in-house promotion policy

12/01/2003
Here’s a new trend that shows positive signs for the economy, but should present a big “Caution” sign for you: The number of people changing jobs within an organization has more …