To meet that one special guy or gal. . . . it's the stuff dreams are made of. But when that love connection takes place within a workplace, it can be an employer's worst nightmare. Couples that live happily ever after are manageable. But when a workplace romance ends in breakup, it usually creates big problems at work. This hasn't changed in the era of remote work; studies have … [Read more...] about 4 steps to take immediately when a workplace romance blossoms in your office
Compliance
What, if anything, does OSHA require you to do to protect telecommuters?
While telecommuting is nothing new, the imperative for using it has never been greater. In addition to all the cost-saving, work-life balance, recruiting and hiring advantages, letting employees work from home during a pandemic has become a vital infection control measure. But it also poses significant compliance challenges, particularly in the realm of OSHA. After all, how are … [Read more...] about What, if anything, does OSHA require you to do to protect telecommuters?
What you write can come back and bite
By Lynne Curry Your recorded words—they’re direct evidence. Direct evidence is evidence that proves the existence of a fact. Direct evidence includes someone else’s direct observations as in “I saw…,” “I heard….” Here’s a case where a staffing firm torpedoed itself and their client. The firm’s recruiter emailed 66,000 recipients. They emailed 66,000 individuals seeking … [Read more...] about What you write can come back and bite
What does the Americans with Disabilities Act require of your office?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires law offices to make reasonable modifications to their policies, practices, and procedures to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities, unless doing so would create an undue burden or fundamentally alter the nature of the services provided. This includes ensuring that the facility is physically accessible to … [Read more...] about What does the Americans with Disabilities Act require of your office?
Compliance quiz: Which employees can you discipline for smoking pot at work?
SITUATION Your practice is located a state where recreational and medical marijuana use is legal. But still you're shocked to find three of your employees smoking pot at work. The employees recognize that they've been caught red-handed but each offers up a different explanation: Bud reveals that he's addicted to marijuana; Herb explains that he uses medical … [Read more...] about Compliance quiz: Which employees can you discipline for smoking pot at work?
What is your end of year focus?
By Brenda Barnes It’s that time of year again! We are often so busy in the last quarter of the year that many important items can get overlooked or pushed until another time. Here are 10 items you may want to give some of your attention to before end of year so you are ready to kick off 2024. Year-End Financial Planning: Review and analyze the firm's financial … [Read more...] about What is your end of year focus?
Your interview notes could get you in trouble
By Dr. Steve M. Cohen bio Although workforce disasters usually make the headlines, there are a number of “basic” human resource tasks that should not be discounted. One is the job candidate interview. Theoretically, interviews should not be a problem. They’re a common occurrence, with no possible traps, right? After all, the candidate just wants the job and you are … [Read more...] about Your interview notes could get you in trouble
How to conduct a virtual investigation
By Lynne Curry bio Question: We have a messy situation we need to investigate involving 12 and possibly more employees at remote locations. Nine months ago, we laid off our human resources officer. The accounting manager and I inherited many of her duties. Both of us have investigated minor issues in each of our departments, and our former human resources officer left a … [Read more...] about How to conduct a virtual investigation
The duty to accommodate the religious beliefs of employees & job applicants
Federal and state laws ban employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of religion. Mere tolerance of religious differences in the workplace isn't enough to comply. Employers must also take affirmative steps to accommodate religious beliefs to the point of undue hardship. The EEOC is contending that the hospital's refusal to let the worker wear a mask instead … [Read more...] about The duty to accommodate the religious beliefs of employees & job applicants
Manage your law office’s holiday party liability risks
You may be hosting a big holiday party for your employees this December. And, like many law offices do, you may be serving liquor at that party. That's fine. Just make sure you understand what you're getting yourself into. Relax. We're not going to lecture you on the dangers of drinking and driving. No sense preaching to the choir. But what we can do to help you out is … [Read more...] about Manage your law office’s holiday party liability risks