Editor’s Note

Gender discrimination continues to be a main problem in workplaces despite laws such as Title VII and Equal Pay Act.. As per these laws, sexual or gender discrimination can be criminalized whenever an employee is treated differently on account of his/her gender.

Legal and Compliance Excellence July 2015 Advertisers

Flushing Away Gender Discrimination: Law related to employee's access to restroom

Recently, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ruled that denial of an employee’s access to restroom facilities of a certain gender presents a sex discrimination claim under Title VII. Lusardi v. U.S. Department of the Army, EEOC Appeal No. 120133395 (April 1, 2015).

How To Audit-Secure Your Business?: 8-step formula to survive an audit or lawsuit

Have you heard the news lately? Do you know how many lawsuits and Department of Labor (DOL) cases are pending against employers in the U.S. right now? Ok, I don’t know the exact number, but I did read a blog by a reputable law firm in West Virginia that said employee vs. employer lawsuits have increased by 400% since 2010. They also went on to say that as of June 2014, the number of employment lawsuits had doubled the 2013 total number.

Falsifying I-9: ICE takes falsifying I-9s personally, so could your employees!

The Form I-9 is used at the beginning of the employment relationship to show that employees are who they say they are and that they are authorized to work in the United States. Many employers are aware of the importance of completing the Form I-9 properly and within the required timeframes. In fact, employers have become increasingly aware of the seriousness of this responsibility in recent years, as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has upped its game in terms of both audits conducted and fines imposed on employers.

Labor-law Compliant: 6 questions to ask yourself

As a leader in small or medium-sized business, it’s likely you are already aware that United States employment law is complex. Because labor laws differ from state to state, offering compliance guidance in a short article would be an impractical proposition. However, there are certain key questions which, when you find out the answers, can help you acquire practical knowledge of the laws applicable in your state. Here are six such questions to help you with your legal research.

Beware Of Unaddressed Conflicts: You might be unknowingly violating labor laws

Jacinthe tried to get along with her colleagues in as professional a manner as possible. The problem was not everybody got along. Jacinthe and Theodore often had spats. They disagreed on many things and found it difficult to work together. Jacinthe liked to plan her week on Monday. That way she would know when her meetings were, what particular deadlines were upcoming and would be able to plan her workflow.

When OSHA Comes Knocking: Are you prepared?

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is one of the few governmental agencies other than the local police that may knock on your door unexpectedly without an employee or competitor alerting them to a possible violation.

Honoring Workplace Fiduciaries: Are your heroes going unnoticed?

All too often, real heroes go unnoticed. Their good works can impact lives in ways that are both measurable and – most importantly, – immeasurable. Many times they are invisible to most, working behind the scenes for the betterment of others. And yet, often these unsung heroes assume incredible risk and self-sacrifice.

Understanding HRAs: The essential facts

The use of medical reimbursement plans such as Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are on the rise. In 2013, there was $23.8 billion in HSA and HRAs, spread across 11.8 million “accounts.” This represents a nearly tenfold increase since 2006, according to the 2013 EBRI/Greenwald & Associates Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey (CEHCS).