On July 26, 2005, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebrated its 15th birthday. Since it’s inception, it has been referred to as the most comprehensive...
Issue: Some courts consider agreements—signed or unsigned—legally binding contracts.Risk: A promise by one of your managers during a phone conversation could...
Good news: Managing employees out on sick leave and spotting FMLA abuse just got easier. As a recent court ruling shows, you can call and check on employees to make ...
When defending an employment lawsuit, be careful about authorizing your attorneys to use exceedingly aggressive tactics. If your lawyer goes overboard, you may end up...
Last year's overtime regulations prompted many retail-industry employers to review their compensation structures. But, as the case below shows, if you're a retailer and...
As if there weren't enough complications when co-workers are paramours, here's another: Those who aren't part of the love affair feel slighted when the bedded ones are...
Supervisors may naturally feel more comfortable with employees from one gender or the other. But, as a new court ruling shows, it's important to counsel supervisors...
Say you have an employee who complains that certain workplace smells make him or her sick. If the employee asks for an accommodation to block out the offending odors,...
Don't treat temporary workers like second-class citizens when it comes to complying with employment laws. Contrary to popular belief, your organization isn't protected...
When employees are covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or military-leave laws, you're not allowed to count their legally protected absences in any...
In what the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) labels a "landmark" settlement, retailer Abercrombie & Fitch is shelling out nearly $50 million to settle...
Issue: Employees' right to immediate reinstatement when returning from leave covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Risk: Any delay in returning employees...
If your organization's job application doesn't include a "statement of accuracy," add one fast. In signing, applicants promise they've given complete and accurate...
You're free to assign employees based on their foreign-language ability. For example, you can assign bilingual Spanish-speaking employees to serve customers who speak...
Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of job-protected, unpaid leave. When do those 12 weeks officially begin? A new...
With health insurance costs soaring, employers may be tempted to make hiring/firing decisions based on whether a person is a drain on the organization's health costs....
One of the first indicators of an improving job market is a rise in temporary-help jobs. Why? Many organizations, still cautious about taking on full-time employees,...
Issue: Should you set a probation period for new employees? Risk: It can jeopardize your employment-at-will rights by implying that once the period ends, employees...
As a manager, you need to let employees express their religious beliefs while, at the same time, making sure those expressions don’t infringe on the rights of...
