Don’t have one? Good. You can skip today’s post. As for the rest of you, say a silent prayer to whatever higher power you believe in, email me a thank you, and read on… Yesterday, some of my buddies and I delivered the second of two continuing legal education sessions…
The Employer Handbook Blog
Fact or Fiction: If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
I’m dusting one off today. It’s time for another edition of “Fact or Fiction” a/k/a “Quick Answers to Quick Questions” a/k/a QATQQ f/k/a “I don’t feel like writing a long blog post.” When a plaintiff claims that she was sexually harassed by a co-worker, the employer may have an affirmative…
Third Circuit: A single slur – just one bad word — can create a hostile work environment.
For the first time, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has recognized that “an extreme isolated act of discrimination can create a hostile work environment.” Yep, one word can cost you many dollars! In this particular case (Castleberry v. STI Group; opinion here), the plaintiffs claimed that, when working on a…
Don’t let exceptions to your work rules make the rules become the exception
Before we get to that, I may have a few ideas on that image above. Here’s a hint. And now, on with the show. The inspiration for today’s post comes from my buddy, John Baldino, who tweeted this yesterday: (By the way, if you’re in HR and you’re not following…
This’ll teach you not to snoop on your employee’s personal emails…
Imagine that one of your top salespeople leaves to go to work for a competitor. At least you had the foresight to have her sign a nonsolicitation agreement as a condition of employment. So, your customers are safe. Then again…You have this sneaking suspicion that this salesperson may be emailing…
Want to wear a Phillie Phanatic hat to work for religious reasons? That could get you fired in Minnesota.
Baseball as a religion? Remember what Annie Savoy from the great Bull Durham said: “I believe in the Church of Baseball. I’ve tried all the major religions, and most of the minor ones. I’ve worshipped Buddha, Allah, Brahma, Vishnu, Siva, trees, mushrooms, and Isadora Duncan. I know things. For instance, there are…
SURVEY: If you could attend just one HR-compliance training, what would it be?
Always one to procrastinate on submitting a presentation idea to speak at a SHRM conference, I’ve got only a few days left to submit some killer proposals before the next deadline. And. this year, I’m looking to you guys for some help. So, please take this quick one-question survey and…
The stage is now set for the Supreme Court to resolve gay rights at work
That according to Lambda Legal, a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of the LGBT community. From last week’s Lambda Legal press release: Lambda Legal announced it will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit denied its…
Can a LinkedIn invitation to connect violate an agreement not to solicit?
Your former employee, the one whom you paid an extra boat load of money to sign a non-solicitation agreement, just sent a bunch of LinkedIn invites to connect with some of your current employees. Has he violated his non-solicitation agreement? That was the precise issue in a case decided…
A guy walks into a bar … and gets discriminated against because of his sex (allegedly)
Proving that it’s not just women who are victims of sex discrimination, I’ve got news of a new EEOC lawsuit alleging that a company refused to hire a male applicant because of his sex. Unlike yesterday’s post, this has nothing to do with Silicon Valley. Silicone, however? Maybe. You see, that “bar”…