Legal Issues

Beware! Harassment comes in many forms

August 16, 2016
Not all on-the-job harassment is sexual, and there’s plenty of trouble waiting for managers and organizations that tolerate harassment of any kind.

When a worker says ‘no’ to name on greeting card

August 11, 2016
Q. An employee doesn’t want her name on on our “Holiday Greetings From Our Staff” card. Can we put her name on it anyway? — L.M., Wisconsin

Beware! Gender bias cuts both ways

August 8, 2016
Sex discrimination can happen to men also.

Keep it legal: July ’16

July 22, 2016
Beware overhyping your organization in job ads … Time off for diagnosis is a reasonable accommodation … What you might not know about the Equal Pay Act.

Repeated false complaints? That’s grounds for firing

July 6, 2016
You know that employee who always seems to be filing meritless discrimination or harassment complaints? You can and should discipline that guy.

Fire away! Whistleblowing doesn’t excuse wrongdoing

June 22, 2016
Some employees seem to believe that as long as they engage in whistleblowing, they’re immune from getting fired. That’s not true.

Go figure: Drunk at work means no unemployment

June 17, 2016
Employers don’t have to tolerate intoxicated employees. That’s willful misconduct that bars receiving unemployment benefits.

Worker on FMLA leave: What you need to know

May 13, 2016
Although HR usually handles the details when an employee is eligible and takes Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, managers should never be in the dark about what that means once the leave is approved.

Dress-code fundamentals

May 6, 2016
If your written dress code policies are vague about what constitutes “appropriate” work attire or appearance, you’ll have to make judgment calls.

Are your records really ready for inspection?

March 16, 2016
“I have been a part of many information governance/records management horror stories,” says Braden Perry, litigation, regulatory and government investigations attorney with Kennyhertz Perry, LLC. We asked him for some warning signs that you’re not prepared for your system to be examined at close range.