Why you need this notification: Collecting information about job applicants from social media websites like Facebook can get you into legal hot water. That's because the information you collect may be considered protected, personal information to the extent applicants can show they had a reasonable expectation of privacy in the material. How this notification helps you: It's … [Read more...] about Model Tool: Pre-Employment Screening Notification
Compliance
Model Policy: Progressive discipline and employee termination
Why you need this policy: There's no point in having any policies, procedures, and standards unless you're prepared to discipline employees who disobey them. The problem is that discipline is not only unpleasant but likely to result in some form of legal grievance, especially if the employee belongs to a union. That means you'll end up having to defend your action before an … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Progressive discipline and employee termination
How cultural differences complicate sexual harassment issues
By Steve M. Cohen bio You are probably tired of hearing about it, but some people never seem to understand that sexual harassment is not ok. "No" really does mean "no," and the workplace is not a singles' bar. Sexual harassment can also be a form of bullying or predatory behavior. In any form, sexual harassment is not acceptable and organizations that fail to deal with it make … [Read more...] about How cultural differences complicate sexual harassment issues
Model Policy: Nondiscrimination and diversity
Why you need this policy: The diversity of the 21st century work force has made offering equality of opportunity to individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or other personal characteristics not related to their professional abilities is not just a legal mandate but an economic imperative. How this policy … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Nondiscrimination and diversity
Model Policy: Copyright compliance
Why you need this policy: Copyright infringement has become a serious liability risk for law firms: * In 1991, a mid-sized Washington, DC, law firm was sued for $14 million by a publisher. The case was eventually settled but not until after the firm incurred over $1 million in legal fees; * In 1999, a large Wall Street firm settled a … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Copyright compliance
Model Policy: Reduced schedule and flexible work arrangements
Why you need this policy: Once upon a time, the belief was that an individual could be an attorney or a primary caregiving parent but not both. Attitudes—and laws—have changed this thinking and opened the door to all kinds of flexible work arrangements allowing attorneys to balance their professional and parental obligations. How this policy helps you: Every law office needs a … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Reduced schedule and flexible work arrangements
Model Policy: Sexual harassment
Why you need this policy: Personnel issues are among the most difficult problems faced by law office managers. And few personnel issues are any more difficult than sexual harassment. How this policy helps you: The starting point in managing sexual harassment is to establish a clearly written, specific policy that includes a/an: Policy statement indicating that sexual … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Sexual harassment
Keeping the records long enough . . . but not too long
Do you know how long you are required to keep the firm’s tax records? How about any reports of on-the-job injuries? And what about e-mails? Here’s a summary of what you need to keep and for how long. Record retention raises questions in almost all offices. And because of the uncertainty, offices tend to hang onto records far too long, says attorney and record management … [Read more...] about Keeping the records long enough . . . but not too long
Same-sex marriage brings new employee issues
Though it applies only to states where same-sex marriage is legal, the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage warrants attention from administrators in all states. For those in Washington, DC, and the 13 states where gay marriage is recognized, there are new employment law requirements. For those in all the other states, the ruling calls for increased emphasis on … [Read more...] about Same-sex marriage brings new employee issues
Health reform’s delay on employer mandate raises lots of questions
Do you understand how the employer mandate of the Affordable Care Act affects your business? Here’s a quick look at the mandate. There’s a new delay in health care reform. It’s a one-year postponement of what’s known as the employer mandate of the Affordable Care Act. That mandate says large employers, or those with 50 or more full-time employees, have to provide health … [Read more...] about Health reform’s delay on employer mandate raises lots of questions