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Louisiana

Employers get to choose cost-cutting moves

02/01/2013

In tight times, employers must explore every cost-saving option. After looking at several ways to balance the budget, you may decide you need to trim the workforce. Don’t be surprised if a laid-off em­­ployee sues.

Insubordinate employee? Track each incident

02/01/2013

Sometimes, it’s clear that un­­less an employee shapes up, she’ll have to be fired. Argu­­men­­ta­­tive, insubordinate employees who balk at even minor requests fall into that category. Carefully document in­­fractions so when termination time comes, you have specific examples.

Don’t let fear of being sued stop you from disciplining employee

01/14/2013
Don’t let the fear of litigation keep you from making necessary decisions. Sometimes, you have to discipline employees for the good of the organization.

Layoffs looming? Use past reviews to decide who stays and who goes

01/14/2013
Smart employers use past per­­for­­mance rankings as the major criterion for laying off employees during a reduction in force. The reason is obvious: Since the rankings predate the layoff decisions, they’re almost impossible to challenge.

Hold bosses accountable for workplace problems

01/14/2013
Here’s an important concept to remember when disciplining managers: They are responsible for what goes on below them on the organization chart, whether they know the details or not.

One stupid comment doesn’t create hostile environment

01/09/2013
When terminated through a reduction in force or for some other legitimate reason, overly sensitive employees may take a shot at filing a lawsuit over perceived slights, alleging they had been forced to work in a hostile work environment. Fortunately, it usually takes more than that to win.

Good records win lawsuits: When disciplining, be as specific as possible

01/09/2013
If someone was terminated for breaking workplace rules, he may claim you treated others outside his protected classification more favorably. The best way to counter such charges is with very specific records showing why you believe each punishment fit the rule violation.

ADA: Don’t let procedural hurdles stop accommodations process

01/09/2013
Employees with disabilities have the right to request reasonable ADA accommodations. Punishing them for making such a request can be grounds for a retaliation lawsuit—even if no accommodations were possible or due.

Court: Job changes must cause real harm to form basis for employee’s lawsuit

12/03/2012
Judges don’t want to waste their time on frivolous litigation; they’ll usually act fast to dismiss sham lawsuits. That’s especially true when it is obvious the employee is complaining about what, at most, constitutes a slight inconvenience, like a shift change.

Hiring: List experience requirements, too

12/03/2012
When posting job openings, don’t focus solely on educational re­­quirements. Instead, be sure to clarify that job experience is also required—and provide specific examples.