California has a unique set of rules for background checks for employment that go beyond the other 49 states and the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). If you’re an employer in California, it’s important to follow the rules to the letter, since applicants can sue for up to $10,000...

Yesterday’s CED summarized some of the legal risks involved in disciplining over social media use. Today, again courtesy of national employment law firm Jackson Lewis, LLP, we'll tackle the tricky issue of social media policies, and we'll take a look at a one-stop resource for all of your...

Nearly every company is struggling with how to best handle social media use at, and relating to, the workplace. A recent white paper from national employment law firm Jackson Lewis, LLP points out some of the legal dangers in confronting employees over their use of social media. When might you want to...

Employers wanting to be in compliance with employee privacy laws should ensure that employees understand that e-monitoring policies affect the employee's reasonable expectation of privacy. In other words, if employees are told that their electronic communications will be monitored, then they cannot...

It's not that hard to avoid the actions that tempt me and my fellow plaintiffs' attorneys, says attorney Whitney Warner. In today's CED , she shares five things employers do that "make her day." Warner (who’s an SPHR in addition to being a lawyer) is the founding partner of...

In a CER webinar titled "HR's Monitoring Rules and Rights In California: Master E-mail, IMs, Blogs, and Social Networking," Marc Jacuzzi outlined what is included in e-monitoring and explained the employee privacy laws at the federal and state level for California. Here are some basics...

It's not that hard to avoid the actions that tempt me and my fellow plaintiffs' attorneys, says attorney Whitney Warner. In today's CED, she shares five things employers do that "make her day." Warner (who’s an SPHR in addition to being a lawyer) is the founding partner of...

Wednesday’s CED covered technology policies in general. Today we look at a narrower area: Electronic monitoring. Employers have many good reasons for monitoring employee activity, but they should always remember that there are legal issues involved, with privacy being the most prevalent. In general...

In yesterday's CED , we talked about various e-mail dangers in the workplace. Today, 10 sins of e-mail writers — plus an introduction to a webinar specifically for HR practitioners new to California. Mindy Chapman, a consultant and president of Mindy Chapman & Associates LLC, offered her...

'Innocent' little e-mails and text messages can cost companies billions, wreck promising careers (of politicians and HR managers), and cause untold hassles. Mindy Chapman, a consultant and president of Mindy Chapman & Associates LLC, offered her tips at the recent SHRM Annual Convention and...

Yesterday , we looked at some of the legal concerns for employers that social media raises. Today, some tips for protecting yourself — as well as an introduction to a webinar you won't want to miss next week. The following suggestions are courtesy of the law firm of Epstein Becker & Green...

If your employees aren't plugged in to social media sites on a regular basis at work, it's likely because you have (a) a draconian firewall or (b) a workplace entirely free of computers. It's also possible that (c) you're in deep denial. Like it or not, social media is here to stay. Here...

If you want to prevent social media abuse, says attorney Jody Katz Pritikin, you must develop a social media policy, and your policy must include several key elements. Pritikin is an attorney/investigator/seminar leader for Katz Consulting & Associates in Santa Monica. Her suggestions came at the...

People are now spending more time on social media sites than on e-mail, says attorney Jody Katz Pritikin, and a lot of that time is being spent at work. In today's CED, Pritikin explains how to manage the new social media time-suck. Pritikin, who is with Katz Consulting & Associates in Santa...

Yesterday , we discussed two of the big employee handbooks mistakes employers tend to make, according to attorney Elaina Smiley. Today, a look at the final mistake she sees too often, and an introduction to a valuable handbook drafting tool — specifically for California employers. Smiley is a partner...

A subscriber recently wrote in with the following question: “What are the legal requirements that we must adhere to for allowing California employees access to their personnel files?” Here's our response. Under California law, both current and former employees may, at reasonable times...

Yesterday , we looked at some of the elements of a strong record retention policy. Today, a few more tips from attorney Ronald J. Cooke, a partner in the Los Angeles office of Nossaman LLP, as well as an introduction to a new resource that will streamline your state and federal recordkeeping burden....

Yesterday , we looked at some facts and fictions about outsourcing. Today, a look at the types of functions that tend to be outsourced — and an introduction to a webinar tomorrow you won't want to miss. What Do People Outsource? The payroll example illustrates a clear trend: Outsourced functions...

Outsourcing need not be the menace to HR it's often made out to be. Here are some facts and fictions about it. Few topics have generated as much heat in recent years as HR outsourcing. A lot of it comes from the fact that "experts" have counseled employers to "fire HR" and outsource...

In yesterday's CED , attorney Stephen R. Woods summarized two key cases relating to technology policies. Today, his tips — and a product that makes quick work of all the policies you need. Woods is a shareholder at Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, PC. Computer Monitoring and Attorney...