Human Resources Policies

Lawsuit: No, it’s not okay to access a vacationing co-worker’s social media at the office

February 21, 2018 | by Eric B. Meyer

https://www.theemployerhandbook.com/files/2018/02/maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com-Facebook-Mobile-Texting-Smartphone-Facebook-Lite-3021068.jpg

Facebook Mobile Texting Smartphone Facebook Lite (Image Credit: http://maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com/Facebook-Mobile-Texting-Smartphone-Facebook-Lite-3021068)

During a week-long vacation from work, a Pennsylvania woman claims that some colleagues logged into her Facebook account from work and reviewed her Facebook Messenger messages, among other things. The woman further claims that when she returned to work from vacation, her employer fired her because “things had come to light.”

And now she’s suing in federal court.

The first cannabis stores in PA are opening. It’s time to re-educate employers on what that means.

February 15, 2018 | by Eric B. Meyer

Image Credit: Pixabay.com

It’s been a while since we addressed the legalization of medical marijuana in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and what that means for employers. It was about two years ago to be precise.

Last October, I presented on this topic at the SHRM Lehigh Valley “annual” October Conference. But, many of you weren’t there. And, with the first medical marijuana dispensaries opening for business this weekend, this seems like as good a time as any to update my Pennsylvania peeps on what that means for your workplace.

(The rest of you can connect with me on LinkedIn.) Continue reading

Go ahead and pull those old employee handbooks out of the trash!

December 15, 2017 | by Eric B. Meyer

Just be sure to wipe off the coffee grounds.

And cross out all of those outdated references to MySpace and Friendster in the social media policy. Continue reading

Three key areas that could make 2018 the year of the employee handbook overhaul

December 5, 2017 | by Eric B. Meyer

Read on, HR enthusiasts. Continue reading

JOIN US: “The Employment Law Year in Review,” a free webinar on Thu, Dec 7, 2017 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

November 13, 2017 | by Eric B. Meyer

I had one date circled — one date between now and the end of the year.

Later this week, on November 17, Netflix releases Marvel’s The Punisher. If you’ve ~~dorked out~~ gotten culture with any of The Defenders series, then, like me, you’ve been chomping at the bit for this release. But, if you need some enticement, check out the official trailer for Marvel’s The Punisher. It opens with Frank Castle as an early contender for Father Of the Year, teaching his kid Metallica on an acoustic guitar. Seconds later, Castle’s entire family is dead and he’s talking about infiltrating a covert CIA operation. And, at the 1:22 mark of the trailer, we have this exchange between Frank Castle and a sidekick:

Sidekick: You and me, we want the same thing. So, work with me.

Frank Castle: On one condition. I’m gonna kill ’em all.

Sidekick: Yeah, I can live with that.

Dammit, Netflix! Stop twisting my arm! Cause, it hurts so good.

***blows smoke and starts chewing bubble gum cigarette***

Now, if you’re going to circle one other date on the calendar, may I suggest December 7? Yep, I’ve buried the lede long enough. Continue reading

A new SHRM-endorsed House bill promotes paid employee leave across the country

November 6, 2017 | by Eric B. Meyer

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is touting this bill, known as the “Workflex in the 21st Century Act” (you can view it here) as “a first-of-its-kind combination of guaranteed paid leave and increased options for flexible work arrangements.”

Could your business withstand a tsunami of individual wage and hour claims?

November 2, 2017 | by Eric B. Meyer

Image Credit: Pixabay.com (https://pixabay.com/en/wave-water-sea-tsunami-giant-wave-11061/)

And here you thought you were so smart by getting all of your employees to agree to class-action waivers and binding arbitration of all employment-related claims.

Maybe not so much. Continue reading

7 last-minute ways for HR to be the wettest of wet blankets on Halloween

October 30, 2017 | by Eric B. Meyer

Tomorrow is Halloween.

Slacking this year, my family made our last-minute trip to the farm on Saturday for pumpkins. The kids held it together for the most part, except when it was every boy and girl for himself/herself in the “cornbox.” Fortunately, there were plenty of cider donuts available to encourage good behavior and a well-timed crash right before bedtime. 😉

Fortunately, we did not procrastinate on other Halloween preparations. Continue reading

FREE LIVE EVENT: “Preparing for 2018: What Employers Need to Know”

October 5, 2017 | by Eric B. Meyer

Click here if you are having trouble viewing the invitation.This event has been approved for 1.25 SHRM HR credits. Approvals for HRCI and CLE to follow shortly.

Click here to RSVP.

This military hospital’s social media cluster-you-know-what checks all the wrong boxes

September 22, 2017 | by Eric B. Meyer

Giphy.com

Originally, I was toying with titling this post, “What Employers Can Learn From Military Nurses Who Pose Newborns Dancing to 50 Cent, Give Them The Finger, And Then Snap A Video And Photo Captioned, ‘How I currently feel about these mini Satans.’”

But, yesterday’s blog title was so long already. Continue reading