Colorado high court backs employers on medical marijuana ban

The court ruled that Dish Network could fire an employee for not passing a drug test.

By Tom Starner • June 15, 2015

Former Illinois public health HR director headed to prison

The 25-month sentence is less than half of typical sentencing guidelines because of the official's cooperation with law enforcement.

By Tom Starner • June 14, 2015

United slammed with $1M EEOC settlement

The suit claimed that a specific company practice frequently prevented employees with disabilities from continuing employment with United.

By Tom Starner • June 14, 2015

Recent NLRB decisions favor employers on certain benefits changes

In two recent decisions related to negotiated union contracts and employee benefits changes, the NLRB actually came down on the side of employers. 

By Tom Starner • June 12, 2015

Court: Telecommuting is not a reasonable accommodation under the ADA

That's according to a recent federal court ruling.

By Tom Starner • June 11, 2015

How to balance employee rights with changing state pot laws

Navigating today's ever-changing state laws on the use of marijuana has many employers confused when it comes to drug testing. A new guide offers some advice and a checklist to help maneuver those rough waters.

By Tom Starner • June 10, 2015

Union actors go to the feds over Disney theme park 'gag' policy

An actors' union believes the company's policy preventing performers from telling people who they perform as is not part of a collective agreement and reaches too far into personal lives.

By Tom Starner • June 9, 2015

How a mystery defecator prompted a major court ruling on DNA tests in the workplace

While trying to find out which employee had been defecating in its warehouse, an employer ran smack into an EEOC claim related to genetic testing.

By Tom Starner • June 9, 2015

What HR needs to know about OSHA's new transgender restroom access guidelines

OSHA has set forth guidelines for HR executives who may be confused about how to manage transgender restroom use and access issues.

By Tom Starner • June 8, 2015

Checking up on state legal regs just got easier

BLR is making employment law knowledge a bit easier to access with its State Law Chart Builder, a new online employment law compliance tool for HR executives managing workers in multiple states.  

By Tom Starner • June 4, 2015

Federal court refuses to shoot down NLRB 'ambush' election rule

A Texas federal court has struck a blow against employers hoping to stop the rule, which applies to union organizing and went into effect in mid-April.  

By Tom Starner • June 4, 2015

Wake up call: Is 'employee fatigue' the next workplace legal issue?

Sleepy workers as a risk factor are not restricted to the transportation industry.

By Tom Starner • June 4, 2015

SCOTUS decision backs job applicant religious freedom

SCOTUS ruled in a convincing 8-1 vote that employees only have to show that the need for an employer to accommodate religious beliefs was a “motivating factor” in its decision not to hire.  

By Tom Starner • June 4, 2015

How to make sure you're complying with labor laws for interns

Using interns can be great for both employer and intern alike, but the former needs to tread carefully when it comes to federal and state labor laws and regulations.

By Tom Starner • June 2, 2015

Five HR compliance issues to keep an eye on in 2015 (and beyond)

Compliance and other legal issues are HR hot buttons, so employers need to pay attention during the coming year.

By Tom Starner • May 29, 2015

Why posting SPDs online only could put employers in a legal bind

Summary Plan Descriptions are critical docuements, so posting them on company intranets is probably not enough, according to one law firm.

By Tom Starner • May 27, 2015

HR compliance headaches may have a new tech-driven cure

A new tech platform can help employers sort out tricky compliance issues.

By Tom Starner • May 22, 2015

Spoken workplace complaints can be as potent as written ones

Oral complaints carry the same weight in the workplace as written complaints.

By Tom Starner • May 21, 2015

M&As mean avoiding legal traps for benefits, employees

While an M&A event may be a good business move, it can fail if certain HR-related issues are not resolved.

By Tom Starner • May 20, 2015

Religion in the workplace: How much is too much?

Does religion have a place at work? It's a tough question.

By Tom Starner • May 19, 2015

What you need to know about SCOTUS' unanimous ruling on 401(k) oversight

The decision puts added pressure on employers to pay attention on 401(k) plans.

By Tom Starner • May 18, 2015

Business travel planning shifting to mobile device platforms

But the change doesn't come without concerns, such as liability.

By Tom Starner • May 14, 2015

CA case highlights the perils of tracking employees via a GPS app

A Golden State firm is being sued by an employee who says the company fired her after she removed an app that tracked her during personal hours via a company-issued iPhone.

By Tom Starner • May 12, 2015

Employers resist candidate screening changes despite 'ban the box' movement, shifting laws

A study suggests that candidate screening strategies are often misguided from a legal perspective.

By Tom Starner • May 11, 2015

What HR needs to know about DOL's highly anticipated new overtime proposal

The Department of Labor's reformulated rules governing overtime and primary workplace duties have been submitted for OMB approval and public comments.

By Tom Starner • May 11, 2015