Firing

Grocery clerk stops shoplifter, loses job for breaking rule

01/01/2008

File this one under “no good deed goes unpunished.” Michigan grocery clerk John Schultz says he lost his job after trying to thwart the getaway of an alleged shoplifter. The firing offense? Touching a customer …

Discharge due to downsizing? Document your RIF plan

12/01/2007

In a company downsizing, management may make what seem like capricious decisions on who stays and who goes. That can be a huge problem if an older employee suspects age discrimination and sues—especially if there are other smoking-gun signs of discrimination, such as a supervisor’s apparent antipathy for older workers …

Union members can’t use ‘Public policy’ violation as basis for retaliation claim

12/01/2007

Ohio state law may provide limited protection for employees fired in violation of “public policy.” But as the following case shows, those cases are limited to at-will employees, not those who have the protection of union representation or a union contract. Such employees don’t need the same protection that at-will employees may need …

Ohio Supreme Court limits ‘Voluntary abandonment’ doctrine

12/01/2007

The Ohio Supreme Court has substantially limited the “voluntary abandonment” doctrine in claims for temporary total disability compensation under the Ohio Workers’ Compensation Act. That means employers may have to pay temporary total disability payments to employees even if they were injured while breaking safety rules …

Looking for a court fight? Crack down after worker complains

12/01/2007

Timing is everything, especially when it comes to retaliation. That’s why it’s crucial for supervisors and managers to understand: Once an employee has filed a complaint, don’t suddenly start enforcing rules you let slide before. If you do, the likely result will be a retaliation lawsuit …

Saigon Grill told delivery drivers to hit the road

12/01/2007

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has accused Manhattan’s Saigon Grill restaurants of illegally firing 22 delivery drivers because they requested minimum wage. The workers complained they were paid as little as $120 for a workweek that sometimes reached 75 hours …

Firing after FMLA leave makes ADA request irrelevant

12/01/2007

Employers sometimes find themselves in tricky situations: An employee who has exhausted FMLA leave cannot return to work yet, but might be able to after more time off as an ADA accommodation. In effect, the ADA may extend leave if the employee is disabled. But a new case shows that an employer’s quick action may stop the clock …

Firing

Grocery clerk stops shoplifter, loses job for breaking rule

Discharge due to downsizing? Document your RIF plan

Union members can’t use ‘Public policy’ violation as basis for retaliation claim

Ohio Supreme Court limits ‘Voluntary abandonment’ doctrine

Looking for a court fight? Crack down after worker complains

Saigon Grill told delivery drivers to hit the road

Firing after FMLA leave makes ADA request irrelevant

Club manager, golf pro resign in wake of harassment suit

Don’t retaliate against harassment victim who calls police

Discipline tracking system beats discrimination claims

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