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Discipline / Investigations

Worker has duty to file complaint.

04/01/2001
Lynne Barrett told seven other employees, the CEO’s son and two lawyers that her supervisor sexually harassed her. But she never reported the misconduct to any of the 12 managers designated …

Grooming policies: Establish limits, not discrimination

04/01/2001
Frank’s boss asked him to quit wearing his earring to work. Frank refused, arguing that women in the office were allowed to wear earrings. He was fired and then sued for …

Addiction isn’t a license for unacceptable behavior.

03/01/2001
The city of Chicago fired Daniel Pernice after he was arrested off duty for disorderly conduct and possessing cocaine. He argued that his addiction was a disability and having drugs was …

Stamp out harassment without trampling on free speech

03/01/2001
A CEO, an HR manager and an attorney walk into a bar …. If any joke in the workplace makes you think, “lawsuit!”, you aren’t alone. The laws requiring you …

Treat unauthorized overtime as discipline issue

03/01/2001

Q. We verbally warned an employee not to work overtime. Recently, he claimed to have worked 56 hours straight, eating and sleeping only on regular break times. The timecards say he was here, but we don’t have any night staff, so we can’t verify if he was actually at work. Is there anything we can do? —S.T., Michigan

Employee is covered under ADA if you perceive him to be disabled

02/01/2001
After downing at least nine beers during and after a company dinner, which followed a training program, Ray Zakaras spoke freely about his objections to the program and made rude comments …

Refusing to follow orders doesn’t always equal insubordination

02/01/2001
The new fire alarm system at Seattle’s Key Arena automatically cuts off the public address system so that emergency personnel can issue instructions. When the feature disrupted Sonics basketball games, arena …

Body Odor: Clear the Air Over Staff Dress Code

02/01/2001

Q. In the December 2000 issue, you discussed the topic of employees with body odor. We also have a staff member with body odor so bad that other staff members have complained and even threatened to leave the agency. The employee has been disciplined several times and required to go home without pay until she agrees to comply with the dress code. At what point can we legally terminate her? —A.S., Michigan

Jilted lover’s badgering could become your problem

12/01/2000
Joseph Succar’s affair with Clemencia Lorenz soured after about a year. At the school where they worked, she verbally and physically harassed Succar and tried to embarrass him in front of …

Deductions endanger exempt status

12/01/2000
A group of New York City employees was designated as salaried and exempt from overtime, but several regulations subjected city workers to pay deductions and suspension for absences. None of these …