Posts by Joe Boone
Immigration Worksite Enforcement Surged in 2018
Immigration worksite investigations, Form I-9 audits and employee arrests spiked in fiscal year (FY) 2018 compared to the previous year, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data. Worksite investigations rose by more than 300 percent, and the agency set 10-year highs for the number of I-9 audits conducted and criminal charges filed. President…
Read MoreEmployer Satisfied ADA by Granting Requested Accommodation
A Texas school district met its obligation to engage in the interactive process under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by granting an employee’s only requested accommodation, according to a federal district court. The Sweeny Independent School District employed the plaintiff as special programs coordinator from 2001 until August 2016. The plaintiff requested and took…
Read MoreE-Verify Expired During Government Shutdown
“Three-day rule” suspended; most immigration-related services still running E-Verify—the federal electronic employment eligibility verification service—has expired due to a lapse in funding and will not be available during the partial shutdown of the U.S. government that began Dec. 22. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the program, announced that the website www.e-verify.gov will…
Read MoreThe DOs and DON’Ts of Written Warnings: What Employers Need to Know
Employers frequently use written warnings as part of their formal progressive discipline policies. How and when to use these warnings can sometimes be tricky. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions on written warnings and crafting compliant discipline policies. Q. What elements should an employer include in a written warning, and how detailed should…
Read MoreTips For Planning Holiday Parties
Holiday parties are a great way to show appreciation to employees for dedication and hard work. But they can also expose employers to liability for harm caused by employees who become intoxicated during the festivities. For example, parties can be fertile ground for unwanted sexual overtures that result in harassment complaints. Additionally, they can lead…
Read MoreIt Is Not Too Late to Consider Updating Your Employee Handbook for 2019
Employee handbooks are an often neglected and under appreciated company document. Preparing, maintaining, and updating a handbook that reflects the policies of your company and your operations takes time and expertise. A well-written employee handbook can be an effective document to ensure compliance with applicable laws as they evolve and as new laws go into…
Read MoreEducate Managers About Third-Party Harassment
Many managers aren’t aware that their companies could be liable for harassment if a customer or vendor harasses an employee. And worse, some managers try to squelch any third-party harassment claims from employees to avoid losing business. Unfortunately, you could find dozens, maybe hundreds, of cases where managers get a complaint from an employee about customer or third-party potential harassment, and the…
Read MoreWorkplace Bullies Can Threaten the Heart
If you’re bullied by a bad boss or co-worker, your heart may pay the price, new research shows. Victims of on-the-job bullying or violence faced a higher risk of heart disease and stroke, the researchers found. The new study of more than 79,000 European workers couldn’t prove cause and effect. But if there is a…
Read MorePreparing the Workplace for Generation Z
During the next few years, we will see an increase in the number of workers entering the workplace who are part of Generation Z. This generation, born after 1995 and now in their 20s, brings a new perspective on personal and professional values, an inherent understanding of technology and an acceptance of diversity unlike those…
Read MoreEEOC Is Committed to Ending Workplace Harassment
Curbing workplace sexual harassment is an ongoing priority for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), according to agency leaders. The EEOC received more sexual-harassment charges in fiscal year 2018 than 2017 and filed more sexual-harassment lawsuits on behalf of aggrieved workers. The agency has put a huge emphasis on anti-harassment efforts and is focusing on…
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