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Policies / Handbooks

Require staff to arbitrate disputes; court upholds ‘partially legal’ pact

07/01/2003
Don’t be leery of requiring employees to sign mandatory arbitration agreements. As the following ruling shows, even if a court disagrees with part of your agreement, …

Establish a company policy on e-mail deletion, retention

07/01/2003
In spite of growing scrutiny from courts and regulators, most employers still do a poor job of managing e-mail business records and preparing for the likelihood …

Drug testing: Minimize lawsuit risk with smart policy

07/01/2003
THE LAW. You have the right to demand a drug-free workplace, but employees also have reasonable rights to privacy. That’s why drug testing and substance abuse prevention …

Keep employees growing … so they won’t leave

07/01/2003
Issue: “Intraplacement” involves the entire company in identifying job-growth opportunities for ready employees. Benefits: Boost retention, cut recruiting costs …

Rewrite policy to prevent moonlighting during FMLA leave

07/01/2003
Issue: Unless your policy prevents it, employees can work a second job while out on medical-related FMLA leave.
Risk: Reduced productivity as employees “work” the system.
Action: To prevent …

Could you be sued for commuting accidents?

07/01/2003
Issue: Employees aren’t “on the clock” during their commute, so you can’t be sued for car accidents they cause, right? Wrong.
Risk: A recent ruling has sparked a new liability …

Here’s more reason to reinforce anti-bias policy

07/01/2003
If it’s been awhile since you’ve reminded employees about your anti-discrimination policy, now’s a good time. Why? A big U.S. Supreme Court ruling last month makes it easier for workers to …

Guard against SARS-related health, legal risks

07/01/2003
Employment law experts say the epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) could raise employers’ obligations to protect workers’ health and safety, particularly among companies that have employees overseas …

Require medical exams only for clear job reasons

06/01/2003
Demand that managers give higher-ups clearly articulated business reasons for any impromptu medical tests they want employees to take. Often, courts will see these …

Clarify how you count FMLA year, and put entire policy in handbook

06/01/2003
When establishing or changing your Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) policy, don’t skimp on paper. Spread the policy far and wide. Rule of thumb: If you mention FMLA …