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Firing

Think twice before firing workers’ comp applicant

03/12/2009

Minnesota employees are protected from being fired in retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim. That means employers have to think twice before discharging such an employee for anything but the most solid reasons.

Coincidental timing alone does not make a retaliation claim

03/12/2009

Sometimes, employees think they can save themselves from being disciplined by making a fuss about possible employer wrongdoing. They assume that whistle-blowing will protect them from being fired, for example, because their employer’s timing will look suspect. Smart employers don’t fall for this.

Make pre-firing investigation truly independent

03/09/2009

You might have rogue managers in your midst without even knowing it. If one of your supervisors has it in for a subordinate for discriminatory reasons, and you rely on his recommendation to terminate an employee, you may be in trouble.

You can rely on ‘negative’ FMLA certification

03/09/2009

Sometimes, employees think they’re sick enough to qualify for FMLA leave, but their doctors don’t. Other times, medical staff filling out the medical forms makes mistakes. Either way, if you get a certification or doctor’s note explaining that the employee can work, you are under no obligation to get more information. Instead, you can rely on that “negative” FMLA certification and deny leave.

Use solid research to back business-necessity defense when deciding not to accommodate

03/09/2009

Few employers win ADA cases by using a business-necessity defense. That’s probably because few employers take the time to really lay out why their business cannot accommodate a particular disability. Now the 11th Circuit has decided a business-necessity case that can serve as a blueprint for employers that want to use it effectively.

Warn bosses: Preconceived notions about disability can violate the ADA

03/09/2009

Some conditions aren’t serious enough to constitute disabilities, but some supervisors wrongly assume they do. That’s a major problem: By assuming a condition is disabling, they’re “regarding” the employee as disabled—something the ADA prohibits. Thus, the ADA protects even employees who aren’t disabled.

Worker not returning from FMLA leave? Terminate, but pay benefits for full 12 weeks

03/06/2009

What should you do if you learn that an employee who is out on FMLA leave will not be able to return when her 12 weeks of unpaid leave are up? If you are absolutely sure that she can’t claim she is disabled under the ADA, you can terminate her. But you still must continue providing any benefits she was receiving while on FMLA leave, such as medical premium payments.

J.C. Penney to pay $50,000 to end race discrimination case

03/06/2009

J.C. Penney has agreed to settle a racial discrimination suit filed by Reinell Singh, an African-American employee at a Staten Island store. Singh alleged her supervisor used racially offensive names when referring to her and ultimately fired her because of her race.

Get legal help right away when union moves in

03/06/2009

After years of setbacks, the labor movement is enjoying a renaissance. More employers will find themselves with a unionized workforce. If you suspect your employees will seek union representation, hire an attorney who is an expert on organized labor unionization right away. Otherwise, you may find yourself facing unfair labor practice charges.

Last-chance isn’t ‘license to discriminate’

03/06/2009

If you use last-chance agreements that include an employee’s promise not to sue, understand that courts will strictly limit such a promise. The agreement can include a promise not to sue for past alleged employer discrimination in exchange for the last chance to remain employed. However, that promise cannot be extended to any discrimination that may occur later.