Human Resources Policies

How North Carolina’s Amendment One Will Affect Employee Benefits

May 16, 2012 | by Eric B. Meyer

Today we have a guest blogger at The Employer Handbook. It’s Audrey Porterman. Audrey is the main researcher and writer for doctoralprograms.org. Her most recent accomplishment includes graduating from Ohio State, with a degree in business management. Her current focus for the site involves an online phd program and english doctoral programs.

If you have comments on this blog post, you can email them directly to Audrey. And if you want to guest blog at The Employer Handbook, then email me.

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Meyer(s) on Pending Employment Bills, Social Media, and Slides

April 6, 2012 | by Eric B. Meyer

On Employment Legislation:

Just when you thought you had the employment law landscape figured out, along comes pending legislation that could change everything. From age discrimination claims to workplace flexibility to unionization and labor organizing, new bills in the House and Senate may change the way you run your business. Here I am discussing all that jazz with Stephanie Thomas at the Proactive Employer.

On Social Media:

The risk of waiting to enforce arbitration agreements with employees

April 2, 2012 | by Eric B. Meyer

It was just last month that I blogged about arbitration agreement tips for PA employers from the 3rd Circuit. I hate to leave NJ employers out of the loop, so today’s post is for you.

Last week, the NJ Superior Court, Appellate Division, in Cole v. Jersey City Medical Center denied a company’s attempt to enforce an arbitration provision in its employee contract because it waited too long to do so after being sued:

4 new employment-law bills now pending in Congress

March 19, 2012 | by Eric B. Meyer

Below are summaries of four pieces of legislation of which employers should take note:

Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act. Senator Tom Harkin (IA-D) introduced this bill last week. It would overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc. and lower the burden of proof for employees to prove age discrimination claims.

National Right to Work Act. Senator Jim DeMint (SC-R) has introduced this bill to “preserve and protect the free choice of individual employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, or to refrain from such activities.”

Want to keep your job? Don’t do this if you’re bored at work…

February 24, 2012 | by Eric B. Meyer

Some folks — not you and me, but some folks — can watch porn at work and not get in trouble; they work in the porn industry.

When you’re an employee of the courts — a courtroom clerk, to be precise — it’s frowned upon.

Oh, you’ll never guess what happens next. Well, maybe you can. See how right you are after the jump. Fair warning, however, this is one my less tasteful posts. And that’s saying something…

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The so-called “privacy” of employee emails

February 6, 2012 | by Eric B. Meyer

Humblebrag alert.

Reporters call me all the time. It’s a wonder that I can get any work done.

Why, just last week, I was speaking to a reporter about an action recently initiated by current and former employees of the FDA, alleging that the agency unlawfully monitored their private emails. During our discussion, I mentioned another case — this one called Stengart v. Loving Care Agency — in which the NJ Supreme Court held that an employee who emails her attorney from a company computer may have a reasonable expectation of privacy in those emails provided that the employee uses a password-protected web-based email account.

Ah, serendipity! The following day, I read about another case decided last week in which the NJ Superior Court reaffirmed that many employee emails are not private. More on this case and a best practice for employers after the jump…

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72 ways to prevent an office party from creating an HR hangover

December 1, 2011 | by Eric B. Meyer

If you read this blog, then I trust you read other HR/Employment-law-related blogs. And, if you do that, prepare for a December-deluge of “Ten Tips for a Safe, Fun, and Legal Holiday Party.”

Screw all that! Ten tips is so last year.

*** Big dork say “what” ***

“What! What!” After the jump, I’ve collected 72 ways to hold an office holiday party that won’t interfere with you ending the year on an HR high-note…

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Employer lessons from Penn State (Hint: ignorance is not bliss)

November 9, 2011 | by Eric B. Meyer

This Jerry Sandusky situation is blood curdling. I won’t rehash the facts. But in case you’ve been living under a rock for the past few days, you can read about them here.

I am not going to comment on Penn State’s moral compass. Rather, as a labor-and-employment-law attorney, I see plenty of lessons for employers. Let’s just focus on three simple ones:

Take complaints seriously. Always. Fortunately, most employers do. Those who don’t appear to condone the behavior.

Paid-sick leave may become a requirement in Philly after all

October 18, 2011 | by Eric B. Meyer

On June 29, The Employer Handbook reported here that Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter vetoed the “Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces” bill. This bill would have required businesses to provide paid sick leave to employees who work a minimum number of hours in Philadelphia County.

Ah, but the times, they are a-becoming quite different. Right Connecticut and Seattle?

16 best practices for conquering the next natural disaster

August 24, 2011 | by Eric B. Meyer

Raise your hand if your east-coast business was prepared for yesterday’s earthquake.

After the jump, I’ll tell you why you may not have been ready and offer your business 16 ways to prepare for when the next disaster strikes.

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