Labor and Industrial Relations

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) makes it unlawful for an employer with 15 or more employees to discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability. The Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, which is similar to the ADA in many respects, covers employers with one or more employees; other states may similarly define different laws for workplace treatment of people with disabilities. This article addresses disability law issues relevant to employers.

Providing COBRA and alternative healthcare options for departing employees assures your employees that you care about them. Although the COBRA subsidy makes COBRA a more tempting, less expensive alternative for some employees, others may be better served by private insurance options. Learn about the COBRA subsidy and how employees can find private insurance while limiting the employer’s risk, and slowing the increase in administration fees and costs in your corporate healthcare spending budget.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 (the "Act") was signed into law on February 17, 2009. This new law dramatically affects employers whose group health plans are subject to COBRA, which includes virtually all employers with 20 or more employees. As an employer who is potentially impacted by this legislation, prompt attention must be paid to the substantial requirements under the Act and its affect on COBRA.

An employment contract is a written legal document lays out the terms and conditions of employment between an employee and an employer. An employment contract generally covers salary, benefits, paid holidays, paid vacation, paid time off (PTO), bonus potential, profit sharing, details of employment termination including reasons, severance...

The decision to terminate an individual’s employment carries with it the risk of a possible legal challenge. Depending upon an employer’s policies or whether an employee has an employment contract, an employee may, for example, have a breach of contract or “wrongful discharge” claim. Learn the right questions to ask before you terminate an...

Equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws make it illegal for employers to discriminate against an employee or potential employee in certain workplaces. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which was created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, is the federal agency that has the responsibility to handle discrimination complaints.

As most employers are now aware, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires covered employers to provide twelve weeks of unpaid leave to eligible employees within a 12-month period. The FMLA applies to private employers with 50 or more employees, and to all public employers. Learn the answers to several common questions you may have about the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Most employers are aware of problems related to and have adopted policies prohibiting sexual harassment. An employer who limits its anti-harassment efforts to claims of sexual harassment, however, does so at its own risk. Both the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) have taken the position that conduct constituting harassment on the basis of any protected class is unlawful.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is a federal government agency, founded by Congress in 1935. The primary responsibility of the NLRB is to administer the National Labor Relations Act. The Act is the main law governing relationships between unions and private sector employers.. The Act guarantees the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively with their employers.

Do you find that your employees are missing-in-action on a more frequent basis during the summer and during the holiday seasons? Studies show you're right. Here is information about sick leave abuse and absenteeism, and what you can do about it.

Almost two out of three employees who are absent are not ill. For most companies, the responsibility for managing absenteeism has fallen primarily on immediate supervisors. These supervisors are often the only people who are aware that a certain employee is absent. They are in the best position to understand the circumstances surrounding an...

To drink or not to drink at work related events is a question every employee has to ponder for one occasion or another. Whether the business occasion is lunch during an interview, the company holiday party, or a staff networking event on Friday afternoon, alcohol is usually an option. My limit is two. How about you? Make your decision about how much to drink before you are faced with choices.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is the federal agency charged with promoting the best interests of wage earners, job searchers, and retirees. The DOL does this by: “improving their working conditions, advancing their opportunities for profitable employment, protecting their retirement and health care benefits, helping employers find...

This roundup of resources guides the human resources professional in their workplace requirements, obligations, and responsibilities to employees in the armed forces. Read about workplace requirements, obligations, and responsibilities to employees in military service.

Tired of reading about Carly Fiorina and other successful women who are the poster faces for the 'you've come a long way, baby' spin doctors? What is happening for other women in the workforce? Notably, what does the future hold for women and work?

LaborNet is a comprehensive site focusing on the care and promotion of all aspects of the labor movement both nationally and internationally. Site includes an up-to-the-minute news feature.

Attendance is critical in customer facing jobs. Poor attendance is disruptive to your work environment. Poor attendance saps employee morale, costs employers overtime, and reduces the engagement and motivation of the employees who show up for work. Poor attendance takes supervisory time and attention and often results in disciplinary action. You...