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Employment Law

Telling lecherous manager to stop harassing is protected activity all by itself

07/05/2013
Here’s a case that shows how dangerous it can be to have a sexual harasser on board—especially if he is a manager.

Manager files complaint on behalf of subordinates? That’s protected activity

07/05/2013
Don’t assume that just because a manager is in charge of subordinates and champions their discrimination complaints as part of her job, she isn’t engaged in protected activity. It probably is, and any action you take against her can be the basis for a retaliation lawsuit.

Want to offer additional leave for disability? Be sure policy is drafted in your favor

07/05/2013

By now, you no doubt know that instantly firing someone who isn’t ready to return from FMLA leave may land you in legal trouble. Some employers have addressed this situation by crafting a policy that provides some additional leave. If you decide to do that, make sure you get legal help creating the actual policy.

5 arrested in Philadelphia protest over ‘wage thefts’

07/05/2013
Five Philadelphia University security guards sat down in traffic to protest what they call wage theft by their employer, McGinn Security. The guards claim McGinn has failed to pay proper over­­time and illegally requires officers to commute to company offices on their own time to complete citations.

Sudden severance switch raises bias red flags

07/05/2013
Here’s something to consider if you suspect an employee you want to terminate might sue for some form of discrimination. Offering a severance payment conditioned on waiving the right to sue could backfire if that’s not what you usually do.

Beware firing disabled yet active worker

07/05/2013

You just found out that an em­­ployee who’s out on medical leave—with severe restrictions on his activities—recently participated in a running event. What should you do? Think twice before you say, “Fire him!” That could cause lengthy and needless litigation.

When firing, consider all the circumstances–but prepare for lawsuit

07/05/2013

Fired employees who file lawsuits alleging they were singled out for discipline because of some form of discrimination usually follow a basic legal strategy. They try to find a former co-worker outside their protected class who was punished less severely for similar conduct. Your best defense against those lawsuits is to make sure you carefully document all discipline.

Can we require an employee to change shifts?

07/04/2013
Q. Our executive director wants to change an employee’s shift. The employee does not want the change. Can we force it? 

Worried promotion might fail? Take a chance anyway

07/03/2013
Some employees rise to a challenge; others don’t. If you are worried that an employee you want to promote might not succeed but want to give her a chance, go ahead. As long as you give her ample training, it won’t appear to be a setup.

Must you reassign disabled staff to vacant jobs?

07/03/2013
Suppose an employee becomes disabled and can no longer physically do the job he was hired to do. Must you reassign the employee to another position within your organization that he could perform? In many cases, yes.