Protecting Employers Since 1985

Lessons Learned: Effective Documentation

By Alan E. Seneczko / January 15, 2018

“The importance of documentation” is an axiomatic, and almost trite, battle cry that human resource professionals constantly beat into the psyches of their supervisors – quite often to no avail. But what, really, is “documentation?” When do you do it? How do you do it? And, what, exactly, are you supposed to document? More importantly,…

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Employer Concern (Fear?) in 2018

By Walter J. Liszka / January 11, 2018

As we open the book on Calendar 2018, there are various concerns for Employers. Obviously, the recent passage of a major overhaul of the United States Tax Code will present many opportunities to Employers, both from an accounting perspective (alleged tax savings) and also from a perspective of handling payroll systems. Obviously, this will be…

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All Employers in North Carolina Must Now Post an Independent Contractor Notice

By Nancy E. Joerg / January 9, 2018

There is a wide variation, state by state, as far as the treatment of the independent contractor versus employee classification issue. Laws regarding independent contractor status and unemployment insurance benefits, workers’ compensation coverage, overtime, etc. vary widely from state to state. Yes, there are also Federal laws which impact independent contractor status; but, increasingly, states…

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Employers Need to Remain Diligent Regarding Discrimination/Retaliation Investigations in 2018

By Joseph H. Laverty / January 5, 2018

On November 15, 2017, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) issued its annual performance and accountability report. In the report the EEOC states that: “offices deployed new strategies to more efficiently prioritize charges with merit and more quickly resolved investigations once the agency had sufficient information. Together with improvements in the agency’s digital systems, these…

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Take Steps to Avoid Overly Inflated Performance Reviews

By Joseph H. Laverty / December 22, 2017

As 2017 comes to an end, many companies will perform their annual employee performance reviews. Companies typically do performance reviews at the beginning of the calendar or their fiscal year or at the employee’s anniversary with the company. No matter when you perform reviews, companies need to be careful that managers do not over rate…

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Can a Great Human Resources Department End Sexual Harassment in Your Company?

By Nancy E. Joerg / December 21, 2017

It reached a similar conclusion with respect to her FMLA claim: Unfortunately, no. The answer to stopping sexual harassment problems in a company is more complicated and difficult than just hiring an extremely dedicated and motivated Human Resources Department. Every person in the Company must be fully trained to understand the total unacceptability of sexual…

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Private employers should have sexual harassment prevention training to prevent a “#MeToo” moment

By Anthony J. Caruso Jr. / December 20, 2017

Unfortunately, claims of sexual harassment are happening everywhere in today’s society. Hollywood, Washington, DC and New York are prime examples. Illinois employers, don’t be naïve – it happens in Illinois too! What can an employer do to reduce the risk of sexual harassment claims? The key is sexual harassment prevention training. Simply having a written…

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End of the Year HR Self-Audits

By Joseph H. Laverty / December 14, 2017

As 2017 comes to an end and 2018 is about to begin, it is a very good time to conduct a HR self-audit to make sure your company is in compliance with all HR and employment laws Every HR audit is different but the goal of the audit is to determine if your company is…

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Keeping Sexual Harassment Out of Your Workplace

By Walter J. Liszka / December 11, 2017

Over the past few months (and if you go back a little longer, over the past few years), allegations of sexual harassment have permeated the media. Whether it be Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, Bill O’Reilly, Al Franken, or Roy Moore, the media has had a field day in discussing sexual harassment issues. There have been…

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Illinois Employers Should Use Caution with Having Low-Income Employees Sign Covenants-Not-To-Compete

By Joseph H. Laverty / November 28, 2017

The unemployment rate in Illinois continues to decline, as is the case nationally. As of the time of writing this article, the state wide unemployment rate in Illinois is 4.6% and numerous experts predict that this rate will go lower as the economy continues to improve. Some cities in Illinois have unemployment rates as low…

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