Employment Law

Workplace rules can be flexible … if enforced fairly

03/01/2007

When it comes to creating workplace rules, don’t think you have to spell out every last detail. It’s OK to leave some rules intentionally vague, so you’ll have some wiggle room. Just be sure to exercise your discretion fairly …

The Dirty Dozen: Manager mistakes that spark lawsuits

03/01/2007

Lawsuits by employees against their employers have grown tremendously in the past decade. Sometimes those lawsuits have merit, sometimes they don’t. Here are 12 of the biggest manager mistakes that harm an organization’s credibility in court. Use these points as a checklist to shore up your personal employment-law defense.

Reservists’ COBRA, FMLA Rights

02/28/2007

HR Law 101: The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act protects reservists when they’re away from work for extended periods. Reservists on active duty can maintain health insurance coverage by electing COBRA continuation. Employers must also count time spent on active duty toward the calendar and hour requirements for coverage under the FMLA …

FLSA: Child Labor Rules

02/25/2007

HR Law 101: The child labor provisions in the Fair Labor Standards Act restrict the amount of time and conditions under which minors age 17 and younger are permitted to work …

FLSA: Exempt vs. Nonexempt Workers

02/24/2007

HR Law 101: When a new hire comes on board, you must determine whether to classify him or her as exempt or nonexempt under the FLSA. The key consideration: Exempt workers aren’t eligible for overtime pay. Rather, they’re paid for the job they do, not the hours they keep …

FLSA: Classifying Exempt Workers

02/23/2007

HR Law 101: To be considered exempt from overtime, an employee must generally be paid on a salary basis and his or her job duties must meet the Labor Department’s standards for one of the six exemption categories. Use this self-audit to test whether you’re properly classifying your workers as exempt under the FLSA …

OSHA Penalties

02/18/2007

HR Law 101: Employers should be aware that OSHA violations carry civil and, in some cases, criminal penalties. The penalties vary and depend on the type of violation, its frequency and its severity …

AIDS Programs

02/17/2007

HR Law 101: As AIDS continues to affect all segments of the population, the workplace is feeling the consequences. Employers are now compelled to confront issues related to AIDS, such as employees’ fear of the disease, company policy decisions and benefit programs …

FMLA: Scheduling Foreseeable Leave

02/13/2007

HR Law 101: The FMLA allows employers to negotiate with employees about the time when they are going to take time off when the leave is foreseeable. The law says that employees should schedule their leave “so as not to unduly disrupt the employer’s operations” …

FMLA: Intermittent Leave