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Employment Law

Jury awards fired drivers $243,000 for racial harassment

04/30/2013
A federal jury has awarded two former employees of Concord trucking firm A.C. Widenhouse more than $243,000 in compensatory and punitive damages. The EEOC had filed the suit on behalf of two black em­­ployees who complained of pervasive bigotry and harassment at work.

State unemployment reforms to take effect July 1

04/30/2013
With North Carolina owing over $2.5 billion to the federal government, Gov. Pat McCrory signed a bill reforming the state’s unemployment insurance system shortly after he took office in January. The law applies to new unemployment claims filed on or after July 1, 2013.

Post-injury headaches may leave you on hook indefinitely

04/30/2013
If a worker who was hurt at work can find a doctor to testify that subsequent debilitating headaches were caused by the work injury, you can expect to continue making disability payments for a long time.

Employee out for one day probably ineligible for FMLA

04/30/2013
It’s OK to fire someone whose medical problems clearly don’t qualify as a serious health condition under the FMLA.

ADA: Employee with insomnia isn’t necessarily disabled

04/30/2013
Pushed to do more with less, many employers are asking employees to work longer hours. That can cause workers to lose sleep and may even result in diagnoses of insomnia. But not everyone who is sleep deprived and takes medication to sleep is disabled and entitled to reasonable accommodations, such as a shorter workday.

FMLA leave inconvenient? Too bad! That’s no excuse for termination

04/30/2013
It can be frustrating to deal with an employee who has constant attendance problems. But if that employee has a serious health condition entitling him to FMLA leave, there’s really nothing you can do, no matter how inconvenient and disruptive his absences are.

Think odd employee might benefit from mental exam? Talk to a lawyer first

04/30/2013
Let’s face it: Some employees are a bit strange. Sometimes, their behavior may even be an indication of serious mental health problems. But before you rush to demand the employee get counseling or see a doctor, remember that the ADA prohibits such requests unless there is a clear business necessity for the exam.

Garner landscaper illegally trimmed worker pay

04/30/2013
Garner-based KBE Landscaping will pay $14,651 in back pay to 33 em­­ployees after a Department of Labor investigation revealed the company failed to properly pay overtime to its hourly workers.

You don’t always have to be right–just honest

04/30/2013
Many HR professionals spend time agonizing over whether to fire someone they believe broke a rule warranting discharge. Could they have been wrong about the facts? Relax. There’s no need to second-guess yourself endlessly. Instead, conduct a prompt and thorough investigation and make a decision.

FMLA mistakes: When will you personally pay?

04/30/2013
To be personally liable under the FMLA, a manager must “exercise supervisory authority over the employee” who is seeking FMLA leave, and he or she must “be responsible in whole or in part for the alleged violation.” Anyone with the power to hire or fire likely qualifies.