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Policies / Handbooks

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 …

When threats loom, follow officials’ advice

12/01/2001

Q. In light of the recent anthrax attacks, we are concerned about the potential health risks to our employees from handling incoming mail—and the potential legal risks to us. What should we be doing to protect them and ourselves? —V.B., Ohio

Don’t hamstring defense by detailing termination

12/01/2001

Q. We recently terminated an employee. He claims that he is legally entitled to a letter outlining the reasons for his discharge. Is he correct? —E.T., Maryland

‘Paid time off’ bank
avoids sick-leave policing

12/01/2001
Q Our policy grants workers five sick days per year. Should we make sure employees aren’t using these days for other purposes? —T.W., Maryland

Worker’s outburst wins NLRA protection

11/01/2001
Disciplining an employee who protests working conditions at your company will put you at risk of being charged with an unfair labor practice, even if you’re a nonunion employer. Case in …

Keep your workplace safe for pregnant employees

11/01/2001
Verona Meyer was about 35 weeks pregnant when she slipped while working at a Burger King and struck her lower abdomen on the corner of a table. The baby was born …

To keep arbitration clause legal, ensure workers’ cost is reasonable

11/01/2001
When SFX bought a New York radio station, it required all workers to sign a binding arbitration clause. Station employee Tracy Christopher later accused the company of gender and pregnancy …

Keep unions at bay: Allow few exceptions to no-solicitation policy

11/01/2001
Don’t be so quick to OK fund-raising events at your workplace, allowing too many could endanger your “no solicitation/no distribution” policy and open you up to an accusation of an unfair …

Crisis management: Set smart policy before disaster strikes

11/01/2001
The size of the Sept. 11 attacks magnified the impact that a disaster can have on a workplace, thousands attempting to evacuate …