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Terminations

State may let you force worker to foot the bill for your error

08/01/2000
For two years, Batteries Plus was erroneously generous with one of its employees’ paychecks. Clinton Mohr had been receiving mileage reimbursements …

Be wary of firing employees for aggressive union organizing

08/01/2000
John Ramirez’s union asked him to apply for a welder’s job to help organize the workers. He got the job and quickly started rallying support for a union bid. But …

Whistle-blowers protected even if they defy complaint process

08/01/2000
Barbara Fleming, a nurse at a women’s prison, complained to her direct supervisor that other employees were providing inmates medication under expired prescriptions. When her oral complaint got no response, …

More reason to prevent race bias: Courts open new avenue for claims

08/01/2000
Jackie Lauture, an African-American, was an at-will employee at IBM for 16 years before she was fired for poor performance. She sued for race discrimination …

Beware of Restrictions on Right to Fire at Will

08/01/2000

Q. I would like to fire an employee who is unpleasant to work with. We simply don’t “click.” Do I have to have cause to terminate him? —A.C., Virginia

Pay former workers promptly; don’t wait for them to ask

07/01/2000

Audra Wales called in sick to the Wendy’s restaurant where she worked on Jan. 11 and then showed up later that day to pick up her regular paycheck. During a dispute …

Limits on payroll deductions

07/01/2000

Q. An employee has not returned our calls or come to work at our hotel for over a week. She has a set of office keys and owes money for laundry. Can I hold her check until she returns the keys or pays for her laundry? Alternatively, can I deduct the cost of replacing the keys and laundry from her last paycheck? —I.C., Maryland

Supreme Court greases path for bias cases

07/01/2000
Your chances of winning a job discrimination lawsuit just took a tumble. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that workers don’t need direct evidence …

It’s not always best to challenge a handbook’s implied contract

07/01/2000
Continental Airlines followed a detailed attendance policy with machinist Kevin McGuire. He first got verbal and written warnings, then was fired. McGuire contested …

Padding your reasons for firing can build case against you

06/01/2000
Daniel McInnis was a full-time instructor until the new college president opted not to renew his contract. The president gave two reasons. But in his zeal to justify those reasons, he …