If you're like me, the beginning of the year is often a time to reflect on the previous year and set resolutions for the new one. Not only is this a perfect time to work on personal growth, but it's also an opportunity to work on how you manage your relationship with your employees. Here are five (perhaps obvious) areas of reflection and...
Q I am employed by a New Mexico employer with fewer than 100 employees. We have been asked by the company president to develop a proposal for the HR department focus for the upcoming year. There are so many things we need to do, from compliance with the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) mandates to new Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) forms and myriad...
The beginning of a new calendar year is a good time to review and update job descriptions. In an article I wrote for the April 2012 issue of Indiana Employment Law Letter, I listed several things a job description should contain and briefly touched on the "essential functions" portion of job descriptions (see "Job descriptions should accurately...
The ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) means more and more employees are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). But remember: Having an ADA disability doesn't mean the employee has an actionable ADA claim. He still must be able to perform the essential functions of his job. If he can't, he has no claim. Here's a recent case out of San...
An employee's job description should accurately describe the job he is expected to perform and periodically be reviewed for accuracy and updates. But what does it mean to "accurately describe" a job? Who should create the job descriptions for your company? Why is it important to update them? How often should they be updated? Read on for answers...
Job performance is the basis for an employer's decision to promote, discipline, demote, or fire an employee. Employees should be evaluated periodically through formal performance appraisals, which allow employers to recognize good performance, note deficiencies, reinforce company expectations, and provide specifics for job improvement.
Even...
The amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) broadly expanded the definition of "disability" under the Act, making it harder to determine when and how to provide reasonable accommodations.
Tips to live by
Below are 10 tips to consider when determining whether you need to provide a reasonable accommodation in particular...
The amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) broadly expanded the definition of "disability" under the Act, making it harder to determine when and how to provide reasonable accommodations.
Tips to live by
Below are 10 tips to consider when determining whether you need to provide a reasonable accommodation in particular...
We recently stumbled across some letters to Santa from a couple of employees at ABC Widget Company. Let's see what's on their wish lists this year.
Please make my job easier
Dear Santa:
I know you usually don't come to the workplace, but I sure hope you'll stop by this year. I have a long list of things I need this year:
I need one really...
A case from the 8th Circuit illustrates just how vigilant you should be when an employee requests different or modified work as a result of an injury or impairment.
Background
Jolynn Zimple brought a lawsuit against Hancock Fabrics for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Iowa Civil Rights Act (ICRA). Zimple worked...
