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Personnel Files

Be consistent when you discipline and terminate

03/01/2004

Q. We fired one of our truck drivers after giving him a written warning about continued lateness in completing weekly logs. Should we have taken any other action prior to his termination? —R.W., California

How to spot warning signs of chronic absenteeism

03/01/2004
Issue: Employees who miss work frequently often show predictable patterns.
Benefit: Knowing which people are likely to avoid work can help cut costly absenteeism.
Action: Once you know how …

Keep injury/illness summary posted until April 30

03/01/2004
Reminder: Keep your summary of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred in your workplace last year posted until April 30. (Prior to 2003, you had to post that data only through …

Keep health data private: ‘HIPAA time’ nears for small firms

02/01/2004
Issue: The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) places new privacy requirements on employers. Risk: Smaller businesses must start complying in April. Fines range from $100 per violation …

Congress gives all employers ability to confirm I-9 documents

01/01/2004
By Dec. 1, 2004, all U.S. employers will have the option of using a phone-based system to check whether new hires have the right to work in the United States.
…

Start using new OSHA injury log this month

01/01/2004
Employers that are required to complete an OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) must start using a newly revised form Jan. 1.
The form includes several changes, …

Immigration law: How to walk the line with the I-9

11/01/2003
THE LAW. The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 makes it your responsibility to hire only people who can legally work in the United States. That includes U.S. …

Personnel Files: How Separate Must They Be?

11/01/2003

Q. In a previous issue you said employers “must keep certain records separate from personnel files.” What, specifically, does “separate” mean—in separate drawers of the same file cabinet? In separate offices? How far apart do they need to be? —T.S., Illinois

Keep copies of new hires’ I-9 supporting documents

10/01/2003

Q. Should I always make and retain copies of Form I-9 supporting documents? —K.L., California

Ask these questions before you ‘Write up’ an employee

10/01/2003

Most employee lawsuits stem from employees’ perceptions that they got a raw deal. So before you discipline an employee in writing, ask yourself these questions …