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Policies / Handbooks

Deflecting cupid’s arrow: Should you even try to prevent interoffice dating?

07/01/2008
Office romances may start off hot, but they can quickly cool down into disputes, hard feelings and even lawsuits. Don’t put a complete ban on romantic relationships between any co-workers. It’s unrealistic and impossible to police. Instead, prohibit dating between employees who report directly to one another …

Is Howard Stern harassing your female employees?

07/01/2008
The growth of XM and Sirius satellite radio service has brought uncensored radio programming into cubicles, warehouses and breakrooms. And as a new court ruling proves, employees who overhear such sexual banter—even if it’s not directed at them—can sue for harassment …

Can we require time off as theft-Prevention measure?

07/01/2008
Q. As a theft-prevention measure, we require all employees with check-signatory power to take a 40-hour work period off every year. Can we require those employees to use accrued leave, such as vacation? Or, do we have to give them an extra paid week off? — P.B., Oklahoma …

Don’t count on vague leave language to limit care for employees’ family members

07/01/2008
The California Legislature concluded back in 1999 that employees should be able to use any sick leave their employers provide to care for sick family members—whether or not the employers’ policies allow them to do so. Employers can’t skirt that entitlement by not using the term “sick leave” or otherwise creating policies that are hard to pin down …

How should employers handle new hands-free cell phones law?

07/01/2008

Q. What are employers’ obligations under the new law requiring drivers to use hands-free cell phones? …

Make sure bosses tell employees how to report harassment

07/01/2008
Have your supervisors and managers kept up with the changes by regularly reminding all employees—new and old—how they can report alleged sexual harassment? If not, you need to set up a training schedule. It’s the best way to ensure no employee will come out of left field with a sexual harassment complaint, take it to court—and win …

Loved, lost: Crafting effective workplace dating policies

07/01/2008
Many companies that otherwise permit co-workers to date draw a bright line that prohibits managers from being romantically involved with those who report to them, either directly or indirectly. There are many good reasons for such a prohibition … Consequently, many companies maintain strict nonfraternization policies between supervisors and subordinates.

You aren’t required to launch a perfect investigation

07/01/2008
Employers know they have to investigate sexual harassment complaints. It’s the only way to avoid liability in some sexual harassment cases. But your investigation doesn’t have to be perfect—just prompt and reasonable …

Include ‘At-Will’ disclaimer when adopting HR policies

07/01/2008
Under some circumstances, North Carolina government employees may be entitled to due process if they have a “property interest” in their jobs. That means they get a hearing and a chance to defend themselves before being terminated. Smart public employers can, however, limit that possibility by making sure that nothing in their employment policies creates a property interest in a job …

NCA&T employees helped themselves, audit finds

07/01/2008
An annual audit of North Carolina A&T State University found that 27% of scholarships reserved for the Bookstore Scholarship Fund for needy students were awarded to relatives of university employees …