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Policies / Handbooks

Capping Sick Pay

03/01/2002

Q. One of our managers has medical problems (she qualifies for the ADA and is in an age-protected class) and has used a significant amount of sick pay. Because we don’t have a defined sick pay policy, this manager is paid sick time whenever she’s out (full day or half day). How can we legally cap this? Is the development of a policy with specific hours our only alternative? —F.E., Georgia

Don’t fear ‘cybersmear’; go after employees who libel you online

02/01/2002
Research scientist Michelangelo Delfino was fired for harassing fellow workers at a medical lab. A co-worker, Mary Day, resigned two months later. Soon after, the pair used the Internet to unleash …

States up the ante in harassment liability

02/01/2002
Two pivotal Supreme Court decisions in 1998 gave employers a powerful new weapon to defend themselves when sued because of harassment by a supervisor. But recent rulings in a handful of …

Employees must ‘fess up about their need for leave

02/01/2002
Linda Collins’ attendance record at work was spotty at best. Her employer warned her more than a dozen times, including four formal warnings. But when she again called in sick two …

When bias goes companywide, class-action lawsuits will follow

02/01/2002
Two recent rulings illustrate how more workers are seeking, and winning, class-action status in charges of companywide discrimination. Case 1. In December, a federal court in Illinois paved the way …

FMLA AND HOLIDAY PAY, PART II

02/01/2002

In last month’s Business Talk column, a subscriber asked about holiday pay for workers taking leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Several of you asked us to elaborate …

Don’t be tempted by corporate ministry services

02/01/2002

Q. Since Sept. 11 and due to the economic doldrums, some of our employees have not been the same emotionally. We’ve tried to be patient and understanding, but they seem to need something else. We’ve heard that some companies are contracting with corporate ministry services. Is this practice legal or advisable? —S.S., Virginia

Don’t bury your rights in fine print

01/01/2002
When a Dunkin’ Donuts customer stormed away after an exchange with sales clerk Richard Ferguson, a supervisor followed and talked with him out of Ferguson’s earshot. A few days later, Ferguson …

Update safety priorities to cut injuries, costs

01/01/2002
Companies typically get a return on investment of $3 for every dollar they spend improving workplace safety. But new research shows many companies place too little priority on accident causes that …

Bar workers from driving company car after drinking

01/01/2002

Q. We recently learned that an employee who drives a company vehicle is stopping on the way home for a few drinks. How should we handle this employee? Should we notify all employees that if they use drugs or alcohol in the workplace or while driving a company vehicle, they will be terminated? —R.O., California