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Showing posts for: Lorraine Amrine

May 14 2014
HiringOregon

Register today: Tigard Form I-9 Workshop May 21st

In our I-9 workshop you will learn everything you need to know about filling out the I-9 Form accurately. We'll go through the motions in this interactive workshop including:     Filling out sample I-9 Forms,       Auditing the sample forms, and     Discussing the law and tricky situations to avoid Vigilant Employment Attorney, Lorraine Hoffman…

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May 13 2014
Drug and AlcoholQ&A

Some drug testing methods may have a disparate impact

A: Drug testing through hair samples can be tempting to employers, but it’s probably not the best option. In a recent case, a group of African-American police officers and candidates challenged their department’s practice of drug testing via hair samples, citing a higher rate of positive tests for African-American officers and candidates relative to the…

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May 09 2014
Leave Laws

Limited communications with employee on leave okay

Question: One of our employees is on an FMLA leave of absence. Are we allowed to contact her at all? Answer: It depends on the nature of the contact. An employer may not require an employee to perform work-related tasks during a leave of absence protected under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA),…

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May 06 2014
Hiring

Requiring specific I-9 documents costs Seattle employer more than $40,500

The Department of Justice has announced that it has settled allegations of discrimination in the I-9 process with SK Food Group. The company had been requiring non-citizens to provide specific documents to prove their work eligibility but not making the same demand of U.S. citizens. In addition to paying $40,500 in penalties, the employer will…

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Apr 02 2014
Leave Laws

FMLA May Cover Family Trip to Las Vegas

Providing physical and psychological care for a terminally ill parent on a last hurrah in Las Vegas qualified as care for a family member under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), ruled the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. An Illinois employee was terminated for excessive absenteeism after she accompanied her mother on…

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Mar 21 2014
Uncategorized

Daughter’s Facebook post breaches confidentiality and costs dad $80,000.

A former employee who told his daughter about a confidential settlement agreement with his employer breached the agreement and forfeited his right to the money, ruled a Florida appeals court. An age discrimination lawsuit by the employee was eventually settled with an agreement that included a strict confidentiality clause. After the settlement was reached, Mr….

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Mar 03 2014
Leave LawsOregon

OREGON: Portland publishes clarifications regarding eligibility for Portland sick leave

The City of Portland has revised its FAQs regarding Portland’s Protected Sick Time Ordinance. The update clarifies the city’s position regarding the requirement that an employee work 240 hours in the city of Portland prior to being able to use accrued sick time. The 240 hours must be within the same year, and hours worked…

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Feb 19 2014
Oregon

ALERT: Prepare your business for school closures due to teachers’ strikes

After being closed for three days due to an ongoing teacher's strike, Medford, Oregon schools have reopened with substitute teachers and a shortened four-hour school day. Portland public school teachers authorized a strike that was to start February 20, 2014, although all-night negotiations at the last minute appear to have averted it. If a tentative…

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Oct 10 2013
Leave LawsQ&AWage and Hour

Do we have to pay our exempt employees while they are on a one or two day military leave?

A: Just like with jury duty, you do have to maintain the salary of exempt employees during temporary military leave unless the leave is for a full workweek or more. You can, however, offset his salary with his military pay so that he’s not making more while on leave. Since you should treat military leave…

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Aug 20 2013
DisabilityQ&A

Is working from home a reasonable accommodation?

A: If an employee has a disability, you may have to make an accommodation that will allow the employee to complete the essential functions of his or her job. Working from home could be considered, but only if the employee can actually do the job successfully from home, and even then it might not be…

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Aug 28 2012
DisabilityLeave LawsQ&A

Do we have to give a leave of absence for a new hire?

A: It is unlikely that a new employee would meet the requirements for state or federal Family Leave (FMLA), but you still have to consider whether or not the employee has a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and if so, whether or not a leave of absence would be a “reasonable accommodation”….

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Aug 07 2012
Q&A

Protecting company data at termination

A: The “bring your own device” model allows employees to connect personal smartphones and other devices to corporate networks. Some employers require that employees agree to allow access to their device if they leave employment, and give permission to erase the device if they don’t. Absent an agreement, the best option is to request access…

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