Archive for April, 2008

What Motivates an Employee’s Lawyer?

April 25, 2008 at 12:36 pm by: Kansas Employment Law Letter

by Jeff DeGraffenreid
Recently, I met a plaintiff’s lawyer during a particularly expansive mediation. He was on the opposing side, and after we were through, I had the chance to sit down with him over a beer and pick his brain. I’d gone in with the notion that he was “in it for [...]

Making Technology Improve Work, Not Create Distraction

April 25, 2008 at 9:02 am by: Maine Employment Law Letter

The capabilities of the devices the average employee brings to the workplace these days are amazing. At any given moment, every one of your employees probably has the ability to make a phone call from anywhere in the building, record a conversation, and take pictures of your most sensitive work secrets — and that’s just [...]

401(k) Fee Cases: Hot Area for Litigation

April 18, 2008 at 1:02 pm by: Georgia Employment Law Letter

In the past year, litigation filed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) has exploded, and it’s quickly becoming an ever-present reality for employers. One of the most recent and fastest-growing areas of this litigation involves 401(k) fee cases. Because the lawsuits are very new and still not well publicized, [...]

Pregnancy Complications: Disability, No; Sex Discrimination, Maybe

April 11, 2008 at 1:06 pm by: Connecticut Employment Law Letter

By John C. Pitblado
By now, you know that the old “sticks and stones” schoolyard adage is way off: Words can hurt you. You may be surprised to find out how few words (in this case, a 12-word phrase in an e-mail) it takes to really hurt an employer that’s facing a discrimination [...]

Managing the Millennials in the Workplace: Part 2

April 11, 2008 at 12:53 pm by: Virginia Employment Law Letter

by Stephen J. Stine
Last week, we examined who the Millennials (members of Generation Y) are and tips for managing them in the workplace. This week we’ll look at some of the challenges they present to employers and how to deal with them.

What Can HR Do About Workplace Gossip?

April 4, 2008 at 3:54 pm by: West Virginia Employment Law Letter

Let’s face it. We’re living in a society that’s fascinated, if not obsessed, with the private lives of other people. As much as you may want to deny it, you know you’ve looked at the National Enquirer more than once — even if it was just while you were waiting in the grocery store checkout [...]

Managing the Millennials: Part 1

April 4, 2008 at 12:48 pm by: Virginia Employment Law Letter

by Stephen J. Stine
A new generation of technologically savvy, idealistic, and independent-minded young people is entering today’s workforce. Born between 1980 and 2000, this generation, the children of the baby boomers, is collectively known as the “Millennials” or “Generation Y.” They’re sociable, optimistic, well-educated, collaborative, open-minded, and achievement-oriented. Which management styles and strategies should [...]