When you’re part of the bloggerati, just one half-step below the illuminati, well, let’s just say membership has its privileges. AMEX taupe card, rinkside seats to the local roller derby, earlybird specials, the world is your oyster. And, at work, the staff sees me coming and runs the other way…
The Employer Handbook Blog
Change a no-narcotics policy to accommodate an employee? No way!
Just seems like common sense to me, especially where the employee seeking the accommodation would have to operate a motor vehicle. Wait a minute! Did an employee with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act really think it would be reasonable for his employer to allow him to take…
Two Men + One Purple Nurple = Zero Sex Discrimination
Little known fact: Pythagoras invented the Pythagorean theorem around 500 BC, which he nearly dubbed the Chicken Pot Pie theorem, because he loved CPPs so much. That same year, Pythagoras’s brother, Sarogahtyp, discovered that, when one man tweaks another man’s nipple, it’s not sex discrimination. But, it will get you…
I’ve got 99 problems but a holiday party lawsuit ain’t one…
If you want “Ten Tips for a Safe, Fun, and Legal Holiday Party,” go elsewhere. After the jump, I’ve collected 99 ways to hold an office holiday party that won’t interfere with you ending the year on an HR high-note… * * * What Every Employer Needs to…
Sixers win!!! (Plus, recap of oral argument in Young v. UPS)
I had planned to blog today about yesterday’s oral argument before the Supreme Court in Young v. UPS, the case about when an employer must accommodate a pregnant employee. But… The Philadelphia 76ers stole the spotlight — and my evening — with their first win of the season, an 85-77…
Paid sick leave in Philly may be happening in 2015
It sounds like Mayor Nutter is warming up to the idea of requiring Philadelphia employers to provide employees with paid sick leave. How can that be? Find out after the jump… * * * Back in 2013, Mayor Nutter vetoed a bill that would have required local businesses with 6…
Do you have a “super” anti-harassment contract with your employees?
I’m gonna pause for a sec while you go and grab a copy of your company’s employee handbook. Now open it up to the anti-harassment policy and, click through, because your world may be about to be rocked… * * * Got your policy out? Good. Does it define harassment…
Federal court permits discrimination against transgender employee
Under federal law (Title VII), employers cannot discriminate because of one’s sex. While Title VII does not explicitly coverage transgender employees (i.e., someone born female who presents male, and vice-versa; also known as gender identity), the EEOC’s position is that transgender employees are protected too. Indeed, they’ve begun filing federal…
Black Friday HR-Dorkbuster!!! Silent ADA accommodation requests
[Because “The one about the guy who got fired and then requested a reasonable accommodation” isn’t clickbait enough]. More on the timing of ADA accommodation requests after the jump… * * * Most job descriptions that I’ve read for human resources positions include a laundry list of skills and qualifications.…
What the EEOC plans to tell employers about wellness programs
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is obsessed with wellness programs. Or, as the EEOC likes to describe them “‘so-called’ wellness programs.” And not in a “yay, so-called wellness programs are super” kinda way. No, in recent months, the EEOC has initiated litigation against companies (example, example, example) claiming that…