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HR Management

Your 10-point checklist to ensure an NLRA-compliant handbook

06/06/2011
A poorly written or overly broad handbook could result in unfair labor practices charges from the National Labor Relations Board. That’s true even if your workforce isn’t unionized. Review your handbook for policies relating to the following 10 “red flags” that attract the NLRB’s attention.

Make work safe for older employees (and everyone else, too)

06/03/2011
As an employer, you want to eliminate accidents. But paying particular attention to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s safety recommendations for older workers should make your workplace safer for everyone.

Keep all medical records confidential! Otherwise, normal lawsuit rules don’t apply

06/03/2011

Employers are used to breathing a sigh of relief when 300 days pass without learning that a former employee has filed a discrimination complaint with the EEOC or the New York State Division of Human Rights. They assume that missing the deadline means the employee won’t be able to sue. Not so fast!

The HR I.Q. Test: June ’11

06/02/2011
Test your knowledge of recent trends in employment law, comp & benefits and other HR issues with our monthly mini-quiz.

OSHA accident probe burns China Grove bakery

06/01/2011
A tip-off that prompted OSHA to investigate a South Texas commercial bakery could lead to fines totaling almost $230,000. But it wasn’t employee whistle-blowing that led the federal agency to crack down on Lone Star Bakery.

10 steps to take when responding to an EEOC complaint

06/01/2011

The EEOC and state and local agencies have been filing more administrative charges in recent years and that trend is likely to continue. Because administrative charges can be precursors to discrimination lawsuits, it’s critical for you to handle them properly. These 10 tips will help you prepare to respond.

Supreme Court upholds mandatory E-Verify in Arizona case

05/31/2011
The U.S. Supreme Court last week upheld an Arizona law that requires employers in that state to use the federal government’s E-Verify electronic employment eligibility verification system. Other states are already lining up to require their employers to use E-Verify, too, joining 11 states that already do. It’s time to learn how to use the government’s online tool.

HR spring cleaning: Employment document retention guidelines

05/31/2011
In the name of organization, HR professionals and managers alike have been known to accidentally discard a document, whether paper or electronic, that they shouldn’t have. In your quest to clean out overflowing file cabinets or e-mail inboxes, take your time and follow these guidelines.

Documenting employee discipline: 3 cardinal rules

05/31/2011
Managers should make documentation of employee performance, behavior and discipline a regular habit. Strong documentation is especially important if an employee or ex-employee ever files a legal complaint saying his or her termination or discipline was based on illegal discrimination.

‘Trans’-cending stereotypes: Tackling transgender bias in the workplace

05/27/2011
In 2007, the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination was amended to prohibit discrimination on the basis of “gender identity or expression.” To minimize the possibility of discrimination against transgender employees in your workplace, follow these tips: