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Discipline / Investigations

Don’t let a scheduling conflict prompt reservists’ discipline, firing

10/01/2004
Run supervisors through some basic training on strict
military-leave law. Why? More than 168,000 National Guard and reservists are currently on active duty and Congress is considering changes that would …

Centralize job references to minimize exposure

10/01/2004

Q. Concerning writing reference letters, we have a few supervisors who think it’s OK to write them only for “good” employees. But our policy says supervisors can’t issue reference letters for any current or former employee. I’m having a hard time finding a reason that justifies our policy. Help! —P.T., South Dakota

Juries punish rushed investigations; keep an open mind

10/01/2004
Issue: Following correct protocol when investigating harassment complaints. Risk: Courts will slap organizations with big punitive damage awards …

Don’t rubber-stamp firings; verify supervisors’ reasons

09/01/2004
Issue: Should HR question a supervisor’s plans to fire an employee? Risk: If you take a termination report at face value, you may overlook bias by a manager. Action: …

Investigate harassment, even if victim is hesitant

09/01/2004

Q. We’re afraid that one of our employees may have been subjected to discriminatory behavior. But she hasn’t filed a complaint. What should we do? Do we have an obligation to bring it up and investigate even if she declines? —S.P., Louisiana

Don’t let office romance poison workplace; third parties can sue

08/01/2004
Legal threats from interoffice romance typically come from harassment claims if the relationship sours. But here comes a new threat: employees who claim a “hostile environment” when favoritism caused by another …

You can block staff from bringing co-workers to disciplinary meetings

08/01/2004
Good news: Employees in nonunion workplaces no longer can insist on co-workers joining them during investigatory meetings. You can legally deny such employee representation requests thanks to a new National Labor …

You now can bar ‘friends’ from discipline inquiries

08/01/2004
Issue: When you interview employees about potential misconduct, can they bring a co-worker to the meeting? Benefit: A federal labor panel …

Draw the line between ‘tough talk’ and harassment

08/01/2004
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Management Lessons From the Court

08/01/2004

Don’t open an employee’s’ personal mail If you know that a letter or package sent to that person at work is personal (not business related). A recent court ruling shows that you may be opening up a legal mess along with the letter …