• The HR Specialist - Print Newsletter
  • HR Specialist: Employment Law
  • The HR Weekly

Policies / Handbooks

How to handle confidential information when onboarding new hires

02/19/2014
Although most employers are sensitive to the need to protect their own company’s confidential information, they may not be as attuned as they should be to the other side of the coin. A recent trial experience provided an extraordinary lesson on the significant legal exposure an employer can face when hiring employees from a competitor.

Ski resort curbs ‘mountain chic’ by setting strict dress code

02/19/2014

Skiers and snowboarders often are known for outlandish body piercings, tattoos and hairstyles—but not if they work for Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort in California. The resort’s “look good, feel good” dress code starts by outfitting each employee with a uniform that’s the envy of the trendiest skiers on the mountain.

Employee Handbooks: Overview

02/10/2014

HR Law 101: Employee handbooks are extremely valuable business tools. But if you’re not careful, your handbook could land you in court. In particular, employees are increasingly suing for wrongful discharge, pointing to a handbook they claim guaranteed them employment indefinitely …

Essential Topics in Employee Handbooks

02/08/2014

HR Law 101: Your employee handbook should include statements on these topics: a welcoming letter from the CEO, rules and procedures, your employment policies, compensation and benefits, safety and health rules, an affirmative action statement and an acknowledgment receipt form …

Social media: To ban or not to ban?

02/06/2014
A recent Entrepreneur.com article cited a survey that found one of every five U.S. employees is blocked from accessing Facebook at work because of technical restrictions set up by their employers. It lists four reasons why this practice is a bad idea …

Best way to stop failure-to-promote lawsuits: Include qualifications in job announcements

02/05/2014
Want to avoid unnecessary lawsuits over whether an applicant is qualified for a job opening or promotion opportunity? Then make sure your job announcement includes specific information about minimum requirements so that those don’t become the basis for a lawsuit.

Lawsuit trend shows need for distracted driving policy

02/04/2014
Several million-dollar verdicts against employers last year—coupled with more states enacting bans on phone usage while driving—should convince HR that it needs an anti-distracted driving policy.

In court, will your handbook help or hurt? What judges consider

02/03/2014
When weighing the evidence in a lawsuit involving employee handbooks, courts consider many factors, including these.

Handbook Audits

02/02/2014

HR Law 101: If it’s been awhile since you last overhauled your employee handbook, you may be courting disaster. You should establish a regular revision schedule and update your handbook once a year or whenever significant statutory or other changes occur …

Alternative Dispute Resolution

02/01/2014

HR Law 101: In recent years, various forms of alternative dispute resolution have gained popularity. Mandatory arbitration in particular is attractive to employers because employees who sign arbitration agreements forfeit their right to sue in federal or state court …