Policies
Four New Year’s Resolutions for Employers
New Year’s resolutions are common. Many people attempt a “dry” January. Others a dry February, because there are less days in the month. As we close out the first month of 2024 here are four proposed New Year’s resolutions for employers that can minimize the risk of exposure and reputational damage in this ever-changing legal…
Read MoreAt a Glance: Termination of Employment in USA
Termination of employment Grounds for termination May an employer dismiss an employee for any reason or must there be ‘cause’? How is cause defined under the applicable statute or regulation? Unless the employer contractually agrees otherwise (either in an individual employment agreement or a collectively bargained agreement), most employment in the United States is at…
Read MoreWhat to Do When You Get an EEOC Subpoena
Not surprisingly, over the last 12 months, we have had this question come up quite often from employers. The EEOC has some new laws in its arsenal (i.e., the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, the PUMP Act) and is likely to release new guidance on harassment. Keeping that in mind, we anticipate investigators will be interested…
Read MoreUpdating the Company Employee Handbook Should Move to the Top of Every Company’s Year-End To Do List
As year-end approaches, companies, both large and small, are busy closing out 2023 and putting plans in place for 2024. A key priority that should not be neglected as you make preparations to close out an old year and start a new one is updating your employee handbook. An updated employee handbook can be an effective tool…
Read MoreExpanding Existing Bereavement Leave Policies to Account for Fertility Related Losses
Bereavement leave policies generally aim to provide employees with paid leave following the death of a family member. These policies, however, often fail to acknowledge the grief that employees experience upon a fertility related loss, such as a miscarriage. Fertility related losses are very common (with more than 1 in 4 pregnancies resulting in miscarriage)…
Read MoreBring your Pet-to-Work Policies – The Do’s, the Don’ts, and the Cautionary Notes
If you’ve ever explored our bios it’s no secret that we are huge pet lovers over here! And, being a virtual Human Resources Consulting firm, we are lucky enough to work with our furry friends daily. For workplaces that are in-office or hybrid, we have seen various workplaces try to replicate this joy by introducing…
Read MoreWeeding Out Employees: The Ups and Downs of Drug-Testing Manufacturing Workforce
Finding and keeping dependable employees has always been a priority for employers. For manufacturers, drug testing is a tried-and-true method of weeding out employees who may be less dependable. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and changing laws have significantly impacted the employment landscape. Now might be a good time for manufacturers to remind themselves — and…
Read MoreHow Do We Handle Drug or Alcohol Impairment in the Workplace?
Here is a question we received via email from a company with multiple locations in different states: We are a manufacturing company with facilities in multiple states. We have had a number of incidents when supervisors have suspected an employee was impaired while working due to alcohol or drug use. We are particularly concerned about…
Read MorePros and Cons About Zero Tolerance Policies
Recently, a white employee was fired under a company’s zero-tolerance policy when he was overheard discussing a rap artist on a company phone. In another incident, a school security guard in Madison, Wisconsin, who was Black, was fired under the school district’s zero tolerance policy when he objected to a student referring to him using…
Read MoreWhy Do You Need a Handbook Disclaimer and What Should Be In It Anyway?
If you’re like most employers right now, you’re in the process of reviewing your Employee Handbook to see if it needs to be updated. A recent Alabama state court decision offers valuable lessons to all employers with employee handbooks (not just those in Alabama) on the importance of a properly drafted handbook disclaimer. Now, in…
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