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Policies / Handbooks

Leaving spot vacant won’t erase promotion bias

02/01/2001
Branford Dodoo, an African-American, was continually passed over for advancement at his place of employment. In one case, a promotion went to a younger white male who had been with …

Good planning limits fallout from FMLA misunderstandings

02/01/2001
Moira Kelly received an extension of her maternity leave, with one caveat. Her company informed her by letter that she was considered a “key employee” under the Family and Medical Leave …

Legality of arbitration depends where you are

02/01/2001
Before you require employees to arbitrate claims against you, find out whether it will stand up in court. A federal court in California recently barred a law firm from requiring …

Body Odor: Clear the Air Over Staff Dress Code

02/01/2001

Q. In the December 2000 issue, you discussed the topic of employees with body odor. We also have a staff member with body odor so bad that other staff members have complained and even threatened to leave the agency. The employee has been disciplined several times and required to go home without pay until she agrees to comply with the dress code. At what point can we legally terminate her? —A.S., Michigan

Check state law for drug testing policy

02/01/2001

Q. Is drug testing permitted under Maryland law? —L.R., Maryland

Gambling on who may sue is a losing bet

12/01/2000
When racial tensions among third-shift employees at a Wal-Mart boiled over, Gail Robinson reported it to her managers several times. African-American co-workers called her “white bitch,” shoved and threatened her …

Jilted lover’s badgering could become your problem

12/01/2000
Joseph Succar’s affair with Clemencia Lorenz soured after about a year. At the school where they worked, she verbally and physically harassed Succar and tried to embarrass him in front of …

Long service doesn’t guarantee job

12/01/2000
John Guz had worked for Bechtel for more than 20 years when his job was eliminated. Although Guz was an at-will employee, he claimed that his long record of raises, promotions …

How to draft a bullet-proof employee handbook

12/01/2000
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 …

Worker’s body odor requires prompt diplomacy

12/01/2000

Q. We have an employee with an increasing body odor problem. The problem is so bad that co-workers are complaining about having to interact with her. We need to discuss the problem with the employee. Are there any legal issues that we need to be concerned about? —T.M., Texas