Policies / Handbooks

Office ‘desk sensors:’ Legal, but an employee turnoff

09/21/2017

An increasing number of employers are using small electronic sensors placed under desks that tell when employees are present.

Document policy details, decisions based on them

09/21/2017

Be sure to document the reason why you treat some employees differently than others. For example, if employees can’t take leave until they have completed a probationary period, clearly explain that in your handbook.

Make sure moonlighting policy is practical

09/14/2017

With more than 30% of U.S. employees holding some kind of second job or side gig, your organization—whether it knows it or not—likely faces business and legal risks that arise from moonlighters.

Explain how maternity, FMLA leave overlap

09/07/2017

Many employers have maternity leave policies that provide a period of paid time off following birth or adoption. That’s fine. But if you intend for paid maternity leave to run concurrently with federal FMLA leave, be sure you spell that out.

Establish several ways to report harassment

09/06/2017

Providing training to supervisors and employees is a vital way to prevent sexual harassment lawsuits. But a second piece to that puzzle is often overlooked: creating an easy-to-understand complaint policy.

Set telecommuting limits in job descriptions

08/31/2017

The EEOC has recently taken the position that allowing disabled employees to telecommute may be a reasonable accommodation. That’s fine for employers that are set up for telecommuting. But for other employers, establishing a telecommuting option can be complicated, expensive and—maybe—completely impractical.

OK to set unique policies for unique problems

08/21/2017

Sometimes, an unusual workplace situation or problem may require an equally unique rule. For example, if theft is rampant in one department, it’s certainly justified to implement a special policy that seeks to stop the thievery.

Accommodating religion: What managers need to know

08/12/2017

Say an applicant tells you she wouldn’t be able to work Friday nights due to her religion. Or an employee begins wearing a headscarf to the office. How would you respond? The increasing religious diversity in the workforce is causing more managers to make legal mistakes.

Employers must respond to spike in drug use by employees

08/03/2017

The results of a recent Quest Diagnostics study serve as a reminder to re-examine your drug and alcohol policies and programs to include education, prevention and treatment components, and to revise your testing procedures.

Pharma firm claims exec divulged confidential files

08/02/2017

Teva Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in Horsham, Pa., is suing a former executive, claiming she transferred confidential computer files to her boyfriend—the president and CEO of Apotex, Canada’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer.