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Policies / Handbooks

Keep all lawsuit settlements confidential!

06/27/2013
Here’s an important warning for employers that end discrimination or harassment lawsuits with settlement agreements that include a confidentiality clause: Keep those terms confidential and accessible only to those who absolutely need to know. Otherwise, you could wind up facing a retaliation lawsuit if word of the settlement leaks out …

Insist that workers follow internal grievance process

06/26/2013
Do you require employees to use an internal grievance policy when they have a complaint about working conditions? That policy may apply to re­­tal­­i­­ation claims too, even if the em­­ployee has been fired. Failing to use the proc­­ess may cancel the right to sue.

Create–and enforce–policy requiring honesty

06/26/2013
Employers want honest ­employees who don’t lie, cheat or steal. To encourage honesty, be sure your company has a policy requiring honesty. That way, it’s easy to terminate someone you believe has acted dishonorably.

Court: If interns perform work, pay them!

06/19/2013
A New York case with a Hollywood connection is a timely reminder that, in almost all cases, employers must pay interns, no matter how menial their work is.

4 keys for legally managing absenteeism

06/14/2013
The costs of absenteeism—in lost production, overtime and temp replacements for the absent worker—can add up quickly. Combat absenteeism with a clear policy, careful documentation and consistent discipline.

Wellness lessons from ‘healthiest companies’

06/04/2013
Employers are always on the lookout for low-cost well­­­ness practices that help employees prevent disease and illness. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out the 72 “Healthiest Companies in America.”

What can we tell co-workers about a new employee’s sex change and transgender status?

05/30/2013
Q. We recently hired an experienced salesperson. Dur­­ing her orientation, she told HR that she recently underwent a sex change procedure and that she is transgender. A few days later, another employee went to HR and explained that he had known the salesperson in a previous job before her sex change. This employee is clearly uncomfortable and asked for advice on what he can say to the new employee and others on the team about their former working relationship?

Diverse firms outperform S&P 500 for 2nd straight year

05/29/2013
The stock of organizations whose business practices, leadership and employee population reflect the diversity of their communities tend to outperform the S&P 500, according to DiversityInc.com.

Get ahead of legislation: 8 steps to building a strong anti-bullying policy

05/28/2013
When we think of bullying, we usually think of kids at school, not adults in the workplace. But, according to a 2010 survey, 35% of American workers have been bullied at work. Unfortunately for those employees, there are currently no federal or state laws that specifically prohibit bullying in the workplace. That may soon change.

Handbook calls for civility? Enforce the policy

05/28/2013
Many employers have revised their handbooks to include language requiring all employees to treat one another—as well as customers—with respect. But that doesn’t mean that em­­ployees who feel “disrespected” have grounds for a lawsuit.