• The HR Specialist - Print Newsletter
  • HR Specialist: Employment Law
  • The HR Weekly

Policies / Handbooks

Could you be sued for commuting accidents?

07/01/2003
Issue: Employees aren’t “on the clock” during their commute, so you can’t be sued for car accidents they cause, right? Wrong.
Risk: A recent ruling has sparked a new liability …

Here’s more reason to reinforce anti-bias policy

07/01/2003
If it’s been awhile since you’ve reminded employees about your anti-discrimination policy, now’s a good time. Why? A big U.S. Supreme Court ruling last month makes it easier for workers to …

Guard against SARS-related health, legal risks

07/01/2003
Employment law experts say the epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) could raise employers’ obligations to protect workers’ health and safety, particularly among companies that have employees overseas …

Require medical exams only for clear job reasons

06/01/2003
Demand that managers give higher-ups clearly articulated business reasons for any impromptu medical tests they want employees to take. Often, courts will see these …

Clarify how you count FMLA year, and put entire policy in handbook

06/01/2003
When establishing or changing your Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) policy, don’t skimp on paper. Spread the policy far and wide. Rule of thumb: If you mention FMLA …

Union ‘salts’ can shake your hiring policies.

06/01/2003
So-called ‘salts’ are pro-union applicants who try to win jobs in hopes of organizing a nonunion company. You can’t simply reject such applicants because of their …

Is your company at risk for a lawsuit over SARS?

06/01/2003
Employment law experts in America and abroad are raising the red flag about possible legal risks associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the spreading virus …

Nondisabled workers can claim ADA retaliation

05/01/2003
Warning: As odd as it may sound, don’t believe you’re safe from an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuit if the employee fails to prove a disability. Most people think …

Monitoring staff phones? Hang up when you realize it’s a personal call

05/01/2003
You can monitor your employees’ communications, within reasonable limits. But you can’t let your monitoring escalate to eavesdropping and violate workers’ …

Sexual harassment: Your best game plan is prevention

05/01/2003
THE LAW. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Although Title VII doesn’t specifically mention …