Day: February 24, 2012

EEOC: Asking Employees to Explain Medical Absences Violated ADA

Asking an employee to explain the nature of an illness that has kept them out of work violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is arguing in an ongoing California case. The commission sued retailer Dillard’s, which maintained a written policy requiring employees returning from sick leave to submit a doctor’s […]

The Power of Words

Most people would agree that strong communication skills — written or verbal — are an asset for any manager. The ability to communicate effectively can be a profound advantage in business. Words can be used to motivate, negotiate, intimidate, and validate. Words are powerful weapons and, when wielded by someone who is adept in their […]

So You Provide Meals for Your Employees. Is the Chef’s Salary Part of the ‘Direct Cost’?

One of the keys to this determination is comparing the cost of providing the meals to the revenue the operation brings in. There are “direct” and “indirect” costs, the latter of which do not go toward the calculation of the cost-to-revenue ratio that determines whether you are providing a de minimis benefit (and therefore one […]

Tighten Your Saddles

Litigation Value: Cathy showing Jim the “Talla-Nasty” = yet more fodder for Jim’s sexual harassment lawsuit; five dots = a murky texting area and potential lawsuit for Darryl; and watching Dwight work himself into a human bedbug trap = priceless. This After Hours episode has the gang engaging in conduct that should make any human resources […]