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Policies / Handbooks

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

FMLA and HOLIDAY PAY

01/01/2002
Q Our policy says an employee must work the workday before and after a holiday to receive holiday pay. If an employee is on Family and Medical Leave Act leave, is he entitled to holiday pay? —G.P., Indiana

Liability doesn’t stop at company door

12/01/2001
The president of Windermere Relocation Services really wanted to win the Starbucks account. He told Maureen Little, the firm’s top corporate services manager, that he wanted to “do whatever it takes …

React quickly to employee threats; don’t be wedded to discipline policy

12/01/2001
The Illinois toll authority settled Robert Merheb’s discrimination charge by giving him a new job. The agreement also said that if Merheb committed any infraction, the employer would follow its progressive …

You can correct FMLA mistakes

12/01/2001
In golf, they call it a mulligan. Kids call it a “do-over.” And in the world of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) administration, it can be legal to do an …

Filing suit to protect trade secrets won’t kill your arbitration rights

12/01/2001
MicroStrategy put the head of its HR department, Betty Lauricia, on paid leave soon after she filed a discrimination claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Lauricia had an arbitration …

Lack of company policy turns TV into $100,000 issue

12/01/2001
Are prizes employees win on company time the property of the company or the employee? That issue erupted when Kenneth Byrne, a manager at a used car dealership, won a raffle …

Build a firewall against Internet, e-mail liabilities

12/01/2001
Whether you have a work force of three or 3,000, any time you let a worker use your e-mail or Internet service, you’re putting your company at risk for lawsuits and …