As I wrote several months ago, light duty programs limiting participation to employees recovering from on-the-job injuries are being increasingly scrutinized by the EEOC (See post here) and that we have likely seen the end of those polices. The Washington Post reports today that UPS, despite having a case pending before the U.S. Supreme
Ebola Discovered in Texas: What Employers Need to Know
As every national news program has announced, the Ebola virus has been diagnosed in a North Texas patient. This is the first diagnosed case of Ebola in the United States. According to reports, the Liberian national traveled from Liberia through Brussels, Washington D.C., to Dallas, Texas where he was eventually diagnosed with the virus. Given that
Adrian Peterson Situation Spotlights Dilemma Employers Face Frequently.
Our family has a fantasy football league and my 13 year old son Benjamin drafted Adrian Peterson in the pre-season draft. Earlier this week when the Minnesota Vikings activated Peterson to play this weekend, Benjamin was faced with a decision many employers have to make; whether to allow an employee who has been charged, but not
NFL Could Take a Lesson from Human Resources in Conducting Investigations
Yesterday TMZ released shocking video of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice knocking his then-fiancée out in a casino elevator. Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner had, following the league’s investigation, given Rice a two-game suspension for the incident of domestic violence. Following the release of the in-elevator footage, Goodell suspended Rice indefinitely from the league. You
Texas Employers Can Pay Employees in Bitcoin, But Why Would You?
According to a recent article by DLA Piper, more employees are requesting to be paid in Bitcoin. Bitcoin is a virtual or digital currency usually used for online payments. Although Bitcoin has only been around for five or six years and I doubt it will ever be used for the widespread payment of wages
What’s the Difference Between “I Don’t Recall” and “That Never Happened”?
Recent video clips posted at Page One Kentucky of the deposition of Kentucky State Rep. Will Coursey in a sexual harassment suit emphasize the difference between “I don’t recall” and “That never happened/I never said that.” First, the clip.
//www.youtube.com/embed/xWFPKQuv4LY?rel=0
As this clip demonstrates, there is a difference between “I don’t recall” whether something happened and
Investigation Closure Letters “Close the Loop” on Workplace Investigations
One thing often overlooked in conducting workplace investigations is reporting back to the complaining party at the end of the investigation. I have seen many cases where the employer conducted a thorough investigation and took prompt remediation action but never communicated to the employee that it had done so. From the employee’s perspective, he or she
Which Employees Should Receive the Most Rigorous Background Check?
Employers conduct variety of background checks on employees and applicants depending on the level of hire and the duties performed. Of the background checks that employers conduct, which category of employees should receive the most rigorous background checks –the CEO, Comptroller, Treasurer? All worthy choices.
As the Edward Snowden NSA leak teaches, those who have broad access
Texas Law Limits Employer’s Ability to Prohibit CHL Employees From Possessing Firearms in Company’s Parking Lots
Since the shooting this weekend in Newtown, Connecticut, I have received several questions regarding a Texas employer’s right to ban or prohibit firearms on company property. Without debating the wisdom of such a decision or the likelihood that the mentally ill who generally participate in mass shooting will abide by those restrictions, Texas law generally
States Legalizing Recreational Marijuana Possession Have Little Effect on Texas Employers
Last month Washington and Colorado voters passed state laws authorizing the legalization of recreational marijuana use. Given that there are pockets of the United States where the medical or recreational use of marijuana is legal or tolerated under state law, some Texas employers have asked whether it has any effect on their drug testing or