05/17/2012
Even if they’ve been diligently socking away money in their 401(k) plans, employees who are about to retire are no doubt nervous about their financial futures. The nagging question: With retirees living longer, will their retirement savings last as long as they do? Believe it or not, the IRS wants to help.
|
05/17/2012
Q. How much time must our company allow an employee to review a severance package before accepting or rejecting the release agreement?
|
05/16/2012
Q. We’ve heard in the news about the recently enacted Indiana right-to-work law. Could it have an effect on Illinois employers?
|
05/16/2012
OSHA has cited Steeleville-based Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. for safety violations after a dust explosion severely burned two employees.
|
05/16/2012
Back in 2000, the 7th Circuit held that employers are not required to reassign disabled employees to a vacant position for which they are qualified. Although the EEOC recently challenged this position in EEOC v. United Airlines, Inc., the 7th Circuit held its ground, reaffirming its previous decision.
|
05/16/2012
OSHA has ordered Georgia-based Interline Logistics Corp. to rehire a whistle-blowing Sauk Village driver who reported that his truck had brake problems.
|
05/16/2012
A court has ruled that the EEOC may speak with former employees without the employer’s representative present. That gives employers less control over statements by former employees who were privy to company decisions.
|
05/16/2012
Employees typically have just 300 days from the date an alleged discrimination occurred to file an EEOC ADA-related complaint. But the calendar grows longer if the employer conceals important facts.
|
05/16/2012
An employer that can show it would have terminated an employee for lack of work or another business reason can do so during FMLA leave. However, it must be able to offer clear, documented proof showing the move wasn’t related to the leave.
|
05/16/2012
Do you ask applicants when they graduated from high school or college or otherwise finished their education? That seemingly innocuous question could trigger an age discrimination lawsuit if an applicant’s graduation year makes it clear he’s 40 or older and you wound up hiring someone younger.
|
05/16/2012
In management training, you no doubt tell supervisors that they’re not allowed to punish employees for filing discrimination complaints or testifying in other employees’ cases. But what should you do if—despite your warnings—one of those employees seems to be getting lots of disciplinary warnings?
|
05/16/2012
When the EEOC declared it was starting an enforcement effort aimed at protecting Hispanic workers from harassment and discrimination, smart employers promptly looked at their organizations and corrected any problems. Those that didn’t are now paying the price.
|
05/16/2012
A recent HR Specialist poll found that casual attire is the norm in 88% of our readers’ workplaces. But a culture of dressing down doesn’t mean organizations don’t need a dress code. Although you don’t want to restrict your employees’ personal choices unnecessarily, you can set rules that promote a safe and efficient workplace.
|
05/15/2012
New rules designed to speed up union elections are on hold, after a federal court ruled that the NLRB lacked a quorum when members voted to approve the revised procedures. The rules lasted just two weeks, and the NLRB has to decide on its next move.
|
05/15/2012
Tap into the power of training and development by trying these five tips. They’ll help you make the most of limited resources, and they’re sure to improve employee skills.
|