Policies / Handbooks

You can discipline for email abuse–just don’t thwart ‘concerted’ or ‘protected’ activity

10/31/2011

As soon as employers started equipping employees with email accounts and a list of company email addresses, things started getting complicated. You can punish employees for many email attack campaigns—as long as you first make sure the content doesn’t qualify as concerted or protected activity.

As phones turn smart, so must your policy: What to include

10/27/2011

A cellphone policy written five years ago may no longer be sufficient. Blame the rise of smartphones. Their multifunctionality makes it more important than ever to have a mobile phone policy, not only to minimize the risks of talking on a phone while driving, but for a number of other reasons as well.

Managing the downturn: A 13-step plan to avoid layoffs

10/17/2011

AGM Container Controls was lucky to have a good period of growth during the most recent recession, so it didn’t have to lay off any employees, says CEO Howard Stewart. In fact, AGM hasn’t laid off anyone for 20 years. Stewart has made it official policy to follow a 13-step plan to avoid layoffs in the future:

Catching up to the 21st century: Courts and social media

10/12/2011

There aren’t many published court opinions analyzing the propriety of company policies aimed at guiding employees on appropriate use of social media. However, a recent Minnesota Court of Appeals decision is one of the first in the state to provide such guidance.

Holiday sampler: 4 treats to make HR’s season bright

10/08/2011

The holidays are special, but they’re also an HR headache. Our early gift to you: Advice on everything from planning seasonal celebrations to handling end-of-year scheduling hassles.

Take it on faith: You can accommodate religious diversity

10/07/2011

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on their religious beliefs. As America becomes more diverse, employers are facing more issues that concern employee faith, including requests for time off and dress and grooming standards.

Blind sided by an employee’s inglorious Internet activity

10/05/2011

Wonder what employees are really doing on those computers all day? A new court ruling shows that if they’re engaging in illegal cyber activities, you can show them the door. Just make sure you’ve shown them your cyber rulebook first …

Supreme Court asked to fast-track decision on health reform law

10/04/2011

The Obama administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act health care reform law—the administration’s hallmark domestic legislative achievement—paving the way for a fast-tracked decision that, regardless of which way it goes, will affect HR professionals for years to come.

How to avoid the top 5 employment law mistakes employers make

10/03/2011

Failing to effectively communicate with your employees isn’t just bad for business. It also can create legal trouble. Here are five of the most common errors that land employers in court. As you’ll see, communication lies at the heart of all of them.

Can worker use iPhone to secretly record review?