Policies / Handbooks

Encouraging healthy staff: How far can we go?

05/30/2012

Q. Some of our employees are quite heavy. We’re concerned they may become a liability at insurance renewal time because we suspect they have health problems (they also smoke and eat junk food). Can we ban smoking near our premises and make the workplace a snack-free zone?

Stop overtime abuse with 4 steps, smart policy

05/21/2012

Do your employees understand exactly when they’re allowed to work overtime? Lax overtime rules are wasting billions of dollars at U.S. organizations and triggering more FLSA lawsuits than ever before. Here are four ways to stop unauthorized OT.

Ensure email policy spells out access rules

05/18/2012

When it comes to securing employees’ email accounts against internal hacking, leave nothing to chance. Make it clear that you forbid employees from illegitimately accessing co-workers’ email—and that it’s grounds for dismissal.

Real-life HR: How to respond to a garnishment order

05/17/2012

Bankruptcies and foreclosures have been making the news for the past four years. But there’s a quieter side effect of the down economy that’s fraught with traps for unwary employers: The concurrent and growing trend of court-ordered or government-issued wage garnishments. Here are the basics you need to know if you receive an order to garnish an employee’s wages.

Not just a matter of style: Factor safety, liability into dress code

05/16/2012

A recent HR Specialist poll found that casual attire is the norm in 88% of our readers’ workplaces. But a culture of dressing down doesn’t mean organizations don’t need a dress code. Although you don’t want to restrict your employees’ personal choices unnecessarily, you can set rules that promote a safe and efficient workplace.

Best defense against harassment complaints: Robust policy and prompt investigations

05/14/2012

HR professionals can’t be everywhere at once, making sure no boss ever harasses a subordinate. It will happen, even in the best, most progressive organizations. Protect against such nonsense with a robust anti-harassment policy …

OSHA alert: Don’t set policies that stifle injury reporting

05/11/2012

OSHA last month issued a memo alerting its field officers to watch out for employer policies and incentives that could discourage workers from reporting injuries.

Law firm axes employees for wearing orange

05/09/2012

The Fort Lauderdale law firm of Elizabeth R. Wellborn, P.A. apparently has several openings. Tip for job-seekers: Don’t wear orange to the interview.

When employees are bilingual, it’s OK to require use of English in the workplace

05/03/2012

Employers can require employees to speak English at work, as long as they enforce the rule across the board. What they can’t do: Allow some employees to use one foreign language but punish others for using a third language.

Good documentation is the key to legally disciplining employees

05/01/2012

How you document a discipline issue can cause problems if an employee files a lawsuit. To protect your organization, follow these guidelines: