The Employer Handbook Blog

“My fake eye was falling out of its socket,” and 12 other wild missed-work excuses

November 4, 2013 | by Eric B. Meyer

Honestly, I was ready to call in sick and use “Bunkered in for the Apocalypse” as my excuse.

I had no other explanation after Nick Foles passed for seven touchdowns yesterday. Seriously, weren’t you at least a bit concerned?

Yep, CareerBuilder’s annual list of “Most Outrageous Excuses Workers Have Given When Calling in Sick” is back. “Employee’s sobriety tool wouldn’t allow the car to start” topped last year’s list.

Find out what made the Top 13 this year, after the jump…

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FACT OR FICTION: You can ban employees from consuming alcohol — even off the clock.

November 1, 2013 | by Eric B. Meyer

That’s right folks. 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.”

If you operate a business in PA, NJ, DE or the USVI, then the answer is yes. This is true — even if the ban extends to alcohol consumption off the job.

So says the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in this opinion from earlier this week, where an alcoholic employee, who had previously checked himself in to rehab, had violated the terms of a subsequent return-to-work agreement with his employer never to consume alcohol again.

The Boston Red Sox are the 2013 World Series Champions!!!

October 31, 2013 | by Eric B. Meyer

What else did you expect?

(Haters can unsubscribe)

As for the rest of you, considering that I’ve been serving up one of the best employment law blogs every weekday for the past two-plus years, isn’t some Red Sox World Series swag for your guy a fair exchange?

Let’s play: What did Senator Harry Reid say to affect your workplace?

October 30, 2013 | by Eric B. Meyer

Earlier this week, Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) offered some pointed remarks from the Senate floor. He blasted “radical Tea Party Republicans,” lambasted “mainstream Republican colleagues, who remained silent even as the anarchists among us committed political malpractice,” and then proclaimed, “This work period, the Senate will consider the…”

a. “…Twerk for Work Act, which would provide incentives to employers who hire unemployed Miley Cyrus wannabes who shake what their mamas gave them.”

b. “…Fox; specifically, a bipartisan effort to learn what does the Fox say?”

Philadelphia bill would require companies to accommodate pregnant employees

October 29, 2013 | by Eric B. Meyer

Last week, I brought you this news of a bill pending in New Jersey, requiring employers to make available reasonable accommodation for pregnancy-related needs when requested by the employee with the advice of her physician.

Yesterday, I read this article in The Legal Intelligencer about this potential amendment to Philadelphia’s Fair Practices Ordinance, which too would require employers to make reasonable workplace accommodations for employees who have needs related to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition.

What, you may ask, do the bill’s sponsors have in mind for reasonable accommodation?

Facebook photo gets female employee fired; male employee merely reprimanded

October 28, 2013 | by Eric B. Meyer

Over the weekend, I read this article about Laraine Cook, a girls basketball coach at a high school in Idaho, who lost her job, apparently after her school learned about a photo on her Facebook page that showed her boyfriend touching her chest.

What struck me as interesting is that Ms. Cook’s boyfriend is also her co-worker, varsity football coach Tom Harrison.

And what struck me as even more interesting is that, while Ms. Cook lost her job, Mr. Harrison was merely disciplined.

How not to respond when an employee complains about sexual harassment

October 25, 2013 | by Eric B. Meyer

If true, well then, good gawd, this!

Court rules that company need not allow mass unscheduled prayer breaks

October 24, 2013 | by Eric B. Meyer

We’re talking religious accommodations here at the ole Handbook.

Last week, it was the Mark of the Beast. Before that, we explored Ramadan bagel parties.

Today, we’re sticking with the Ramadan theme. Unfortunately, I don’t know any Ramadan tunes to soundtrack this post. So, let’s just go with Christian rock.

New Jersey Recognizes Same Sex Marriages – Why it Matters for Pennsylvania Employers

October 23, 2013 | by Eric B. Meyer

If only I had a hot tub time machine, I would have gone back a day and a half and scooped Phil Miles at Lawffice Space and posted “New Jersey Recognizes Same Sex Marriages – Why it Matters for Pennsylvania Employers” before he did.

Except I didn’t.

So read his post entitled “New Jersey Recognizes Same Sex Marriages – Why it Matters for Pennsylvania Employers.” It’s really good.

New NJ bill targets pregnancy and childbirth discrimination

October 22, 2013 | by Eric B. Meyer

New Jersey is the home of deep fried hot dogs and the Law Against Discrimination, one of the most employee-friendly anti-discrimination statutes in the country. Here, pregnant employees can order a ripper with relish at Rutt’s Hut, but, somehow, are not entitled to preferential leave treatment in the workplace.

However, a new bill pending in the NJ Senate would change all that.

Not the hot dogs, silly. They rule. You know what doesn’t rule? Leaving a quart of Rutt’s Hut relish in the backseat of your buddy’s car overnight during a high-90s Summer heat wave. Sorry, dude.