NLRB Union Election Rule Struck Down
(May 15, 2012)
Foes of the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) rule to shorten the process required to hold a union representation election scored a win when a court invalidated the rule on May 14, but the final outcome of the fight isn't yet clear. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the NLRB didn't have a quorum when it approved the rule, which went into effect April 30.
Oklahoma Employees May Have Misconceptions About New 'Open Carry' Law
(May 17, 2012)
Effective November 1, 2012, Oklahoma handgun owners will be permitted to carry their firearms more freely than before. Yet contrary to some popular belief, the state's new "open carry" bill (SB 1733) does have limitations. Though some employees may believe they now will have the right to carry guns while at work, that's incorrect, and employers should be prepared to respond immediately.
Workplace Dress Codes and Employment Law
(May 15, 2012)
Because styles and new thinking about what's acceptable attire in the workplace are ever changing, HR professionals continue to struggle with dress codes. Expectations of professional appearance differ among, and even, within professions. Some HR pros have found that allowing supervisors or department heads the ability to establish and enforce dress codes works better than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Benefits Other Than Health Insurance Survey 2012
(May 4, 2012)
Employee benefits other than wages have evolved over the years as companies look for new ways to retain good employees, boost employee morale, and encourage employee loyalty. Each year, we at HRHero and BLR survey our readers to find out what benefits they offer and how their benefits plans are decided and change to fit their company and workers. The benefits most often offered by our survey’s respondents include the following:
D.C. Circuit Blocks Implementation of April 30 Posting Requirement
(April 18, 2012)
The ongoing saga of delays and extensions of the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) notice posting rule continues, this time with an injunction. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has granted a request to halt the implementation of a rule that would require all employers subject to the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to post notices informing employees of their rights under the NLRA. Meanwhile, the circuit court will hear appeals to a previous decision from the D.C. district court in which the NLRB's authority to promulgate the rule was challenged and upheld.
Health Care Insurance Reform's Fate in Supreme Court's Hands
(May 2, 2012)
The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments on challenge to the massive health care insurance reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), enacted March 2010. Although there's no crystal ball to tell us how the justices will inevitably rule, the oral arguments did provide a few takeaways about the future of health care insurance reform.
Surviving an OSHA Inspection
(April 20, 2012)
When your friendly Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspector comes a-knockin', it's usually too late to get your house in order. Here are some dos and don'ts to prepare you for an OSHA inspection and minimize your chances of citations.
Juggling Work and Play during Vacation Season
(April 13, 2012)
As peak vacation season nears and employees begin jockeying with coworkers to take off the days and weeks they want, employers may be wondering if their time-off policies are fair, simple, and effective or if they complicate work schedules unnecessarily.
HR Tools
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