Don’t let employees bully you into dictating their employment terms

• July 01, 2004

You don't need to let an employee set a bad example by trying to force concessions from you that aren't required in a collective-bargaining agreement or employment...

Misconduct is the key to enforcing your ‘no rehire’ policy

• March 01, 2004

Issue: When can you refuse to rehire a former employee who may be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? Benefit: You don't have to rehire people who...

4 ways to improve your disability-management program

• February 01, 2004

Issue: Poorly managed disability-management programs and rising costs can reduce your organization's profits. Benefit: By making disability programs more efficient, you...

When can you ask employees about their prescriptions?

• December 01, 2003

Issue: The Staten Island Ferry crash in October raised the issue of when you can investigate employees' prescription use. Risk: You could spark an ADA suit by asking too...

Play it safe: Craft policy banning supervisor/subordinate relationships

• November 01, 2003

Issue: Personal relationships between employees and their bosses are ripe conditions for legal trouble. Risk: Any form of quid pro quo ("this for that") exchange of...

Splitting hairs: When is a no-beard policy illegal?

• August 01, 2001

Two recent court cases help draw the boundaries on how far you can go with a razor. Federal Express recently settled a lawsuit involving its no-beard policy and a Muslim...

Rethink your nepotism policy

• June 01, 2001

If you have a policy that bans hiring employees' spouses, consider dropping it, or at least rewriting it. Reason: 14 percent of dual-income married couples now work in...