Free Policy Samples / Employee Relations / Employment Law

Avoid wrongful termination claims to uphold your reputation as an employer of choice, maintain trust and cohesion with your remaining employees following a termination, and avoid nuisance and other unwarranted lawsuits. You maintain safety from losing wrongful termination lawsuits by treating employees legally and fairly when you end their...

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...

It's a good idea for an employer to maintain a personnel file for each employee. Documentation of employment history, records of contribution and achievement, disciplinary notices, promotions, performance development plans, and much more, belong in a personnel file. Smart employers keep more than one personnel file. Find out more.

Employers should never place particular items in your general personnel records. The contents of your personnel files and records are generally accessible to Human Resources staff, the employee, and the employee’s manager and supervisor. The contents of the personnel records can be subpoenaed by lawyers for lawsuits and EEOC complaints. A...

The release of claims is an agreement between an employer and an employee whose employment has been terminated. The release of claims document generally lays out the prior terms of employment and an agreement to negate them. Any other agreements released are also included in the document. The release of claims is offered in return for the...

The end of the year is a good time to review your company’s holiday pay practices. This article answers common questions regarding holiday pay related issues.

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.

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.

Looking for information about business management, stress management, policy development, and workplace management? Find information about business management, stress management, policy development, and workplace management in this directory or index.

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) set forth regulations that give employees and their families, who lose their health benefits because of unemployment, the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan. These health care benefits may be extended for limited periods of time...

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) set forth regulations that give employees and their families, who lose their health benefits because of unemployment, the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan. These health care benefits may be extended for limited periods of time under certain circumstances according to the COBRA regulations.

A confidentiality agreement is a written legal contract between an employer and employee. The confidentiality agreement lays out binding terms and conditions that prohibit the employee from disclosing company confidential and proprietary information. A confidentiality agreement is in effect for the duration of an employee’s employment and for a...

A Code of Conduct is a written collection of the rules, principles, values, and employee expectations, behavior, and relationships that an organization considers significant and believes are fundamental to their successful operation. A code of conduct enumerates those standards and values that make an organization remarkable and that enable it...

A conflict of interest arises in the workplace when an employee has competing interests or loyalties that either are, or potentially can be, at odds with each other. A conflict of interest causes an employee to experience a struggle between diverging interests, points of view, or allegiances. See examples of potential workplace conflicts of interest.

The Cornell Legal Information Institute is a terrific resource. Check out this piece about employment discrimination. Then, view the rest of the library as a "must-have" resource!

This excellent resource brings you sample policies, explanations for particular approaches to policies, a lawyer directory, and employment law articles and resources.

Check out this site for knowledgeable information on the Family Medical & Leave Act (FMLA) The site simplifies information and cuts through the confusion.

For U.S. employers, this is one of the best link pages I have found. Click your state and visit a page which provides links to many government resources in your state. Includes guides to employment law for cities, counties, and more.

Ross Runkel, Professor of Law Emeritus, offers highly readable summaries of employment law findings and articles at his Web site. A paid subscription publication is also available that delivers news three times per week.

Want to know how long you must retain employee records? Here's a handy resource about employee records retention. From this resource, most employee record retention information is compiled.