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Policies / Handbooks

Paying for holiday work can endanger exempt status

05/01/2001

Q. Our company policy says employees who work on holidays are paid time-and-a-half. If an exempt employee works on a holiday, can I pay him time-and-a-half? —R.E., Iowa

Lock up your company secrets — or lose them

04/01/2001

Cary and Brenda Jensen worked for the Lodge at Mount Snow, placing ads and organizing bus tours for senior citizens groups. After six years, the Jensens quit to open …

Scales tip against weight rule

04/01/2001
The U.S. Supreme Court recently let stand a ruling that an airline’s weight policy discriminated against women. (United Airlines v. Frank, 00-948) The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decided …

Grooming policies: Establish limits, not discrimination

04/01/2001
Frank’s boss asked him to quit wearing his earring to work. Frank refused, arguing that women in the office were allowed to wear earrings. He was fired and then sued for …

Steer Clear of Asking About Religion

04/01/2001

Q. When, if ever, can our company legally ask an applicant about his or her religious affiliation? —R.M., Illinois

State Family Leave Law May Ban Moonlighting

04/01/2001

Q. We recently learned that an employee on FMLA leave is working for another company. Can we fire her? —D.G., Arizona

Affirm At-Will Status

04/01/2001

Q. Should our employee handbook include a statement that gives us the right to terminate employees “at-will?” Our headquarters is in New Jersey with another office in Connecticut. —J.W., New Jersey

Co-worker romance: Set a policy that balances rights, liability

03/01/2001
Jess McCavitt claims his company withheld a promotion and then fired him for being romantically involved with another officer in the company. He said their relationship had no effect on their …

You can put your seniority system ahead of ADA accommodation

03/01/2001
Vanessa Turpin suffered occasional seizures from a mild form of epilepsy. When Sara Lee shut down the plant where Turpin worked, she was transferred to another plant. However, she was bumped …

Addiction isn’t a license for unacceptable behavior.

03/01/2001
The city of Chicago fired Daniel Pernice after he was arrested off duty for disorderly conduct and possessing cocaine. He argued that his addiction was a disability and having drugs was …