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Policies / Handbooks

Handbook helps convince court to overturn discrimination decision

02/01/2008

The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a decision by the Michigan City Human Rights Commission finding that Filter Specialists Inc. discriminated against two employees because they are black. Dawn Brooks and Charmaine Weathers were fired in 2003 for time-card fraud …

Supreme Corporation takes $427,000 hit for discrimination

02/01/2008

Goshen-based Supreme Corporation, the nation’s leading truck body manufacturer, has agreed to pay $427,000 to settle a race discrimination lawsuit with the EEOC and seven former employees …

Giving employees a reason for discharge

02/01/2008

Q. I own a small business with 27 employees. Last month I was forced to terminate one of my employees who had been caught stealing. Because I knew he was having some trouble at home, I agreed not to contest unemployment. However, I just received an e-mail from this former employee asking me tell to him, in writing, why I fired him. I cannot shake the feeling that I am being set up for something. After all, I told him during his termination meeting that he was being fired for stealing. Do I have to respond to this request? …

Monitoring Internet usage

02/01/2008

Q. Our IT manager wants to install software onto our company computer system that will allow us to monitor Internet and e-mail usage on company equipment. Our employee handbook prohibits the use of company equipment or the Internet to surf inappropriate web sites, but does not specifically warn staff that management may monitor their use. Do we need to amend our computer-use policy before installing the monitoring software? …

Scheduling summer vacations in the most fair and efficient way

02/01/2008

A reader of the Forum section of HR Specialist posed this question: “We’re going to be incredibly busy this summer. What’s the best way to schedule vacations without employees complaining?” Here’s how some HR professionals replied …

Setting policies for covering employees’ electronic communications

02/01/2008
Q. What areas should we cover in our electronic communications policy?

Harassment policy should have several ways to complain

02/01/2008

Your organization probably has a sexual harassment policy and provides training on how it works. But does your policy give employees more than one way to lodge a complaint? It should. Here’s why …

A better term for ‘Probationary’ periods

02/01/2008

Q. Our company has an initial 90-day probationary period for all new employees. Our employee handbook clearly describes the probationary period and also contains an introduction stating that the company has the right to terminate its employees at any time with or without cause. Our attorney recently informed us that the two provisions may be inconsistent and recommended that we delete the handbook’s reference to a probationary period. Should we follow her advice? …

Minnesota Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace Act

02/01/2008
Minnesota’s Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace Act (DATWA) limits employers’ ability to test employees and independent contractors for illegal drugs and alcohol. While DATWA does not require employers to perform drug testing, it governs the process if employers elect to do so …

The 7 Most Dangerous Errors in Employee Handbooks

01/28/2008

An employee handbook can be the foundation of employee performance and a shield against lawsuits—or it can be a ticking time bomb that confuses employees and strips away your legal defenses. It all depends on how well it’s written and put to use.