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Policies / Handbooks

Another reason to enforce violence policy: To avoid workers’ compensation liability

06/01/2007

Policies forbidding threats, fighting and other kinds of violence promote a harmonious and safe workplace, but there’s another good reason to ensure employees aren’t doing each other bodily harm. If you don’t take concrete steps to stem horseplay or outright aggression, you just might pay the price in higher workers’ compensation premiums …

The court affirms: Your employee has the right to an attorney

06/01/2007

An Ohio appeals court significantly expanded employees’ rights recently when it upheld a fired employee’s right to trial after her employer terminated her because she threatened to talk to her attorney …

Train your managers: Make no promises about wages or raises

06/01/2007

Florida contract law recognizes oral contracts. That’s why it’s important to train all managers and supervisors to avoid promising employees any specific wage increases …

Don’t like the hairstyles? Off with their wigs, too!

06/01/2007

The Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation Department recently issued a new dress code that some officers say discriminates against black workers …

House shoots down bill to allow guns in the parking lot

06/01/2007

A Florida House committee voted down House Bill 1417, which would have forced employers to let workers keep guns in locked cars on company property …

Existing attendance policy ignored? Start enforcing rules now

06/01/2007

If your managers have been less than consistent about enforcing attendance policies, suddenly sticking to the rules could prompt lawsuits. But you can start enforcing the rules now without triggering trouble if you do it the right way …

Don’t be caught by surprise: Spell out harassment policy

06/01/2007

Your anti-discrimination and harassment policy won’t help much if employees don’t know it exists or how to make complaints. If they suffer in silence, the first you’ll know about harassment may be when you receive an EEOC or a New Jersey Division of Civil Rights complaint …

When religion may prevent dress code compliance, check further before discipline

06/01/2007

Employers can establish reasonable dress code requirements, including grooming standards. However, it’s not an absolute right … If an employee cites religious reasons for not complying with the dress code, look further. Don’t automatically discipline …

When is an employer liable for an employee’s discriminatory comments?

06/01/2007

In April 2007, radio talk show host Don Imus made racially disparaging remarks about the Rutgers women’s basketball team on the “Imus in the Morning” show. The Imus experience serves as a high-profile example of how discriminatory comments can have serious consequences when made in an employment setting …

Dust off your harassment policy or face the jury

06/01/2007

Too many companies’ sexual harassment policies are ancient history—drafted almost a decade ago after the U.S. Supreme Court laid down strict liability rules for how employers must protect employees from sexual harassment. But a dusty binder on a shelf won’t do anything to protect your company …