On May 14, 2008, Georgia’s governor signed the newest state gun law that may–may–make it more difficult for employers to ban guns in the workplace.  At one point during the law’s circuitous route through the Georgia General Assembly, it would have prevented employers from banning guns from employee vehicles in employer parking lots.  Although business groups sponsored […]

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To follow up on the immediately preceding post, click here for more on the problem of bullying in the workplace, including the proposition that bullying can have more negative effects on employees than unlawful harassment.

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Across the country, state legislatures are considering so-called bullying legislation for the workplace.  Under most state laws, if bullying is based on one of the protected classes (race, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability or some other protected class under state law), this would amount to unlawful harassment.  If it’s just regular bullying, it’s not unlawful, […]

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Have you ever been scared of an employee?  Have your employees ever come to you expressing their fear of a co-worker?
I suspect the answer to both questions is yes.  Sometimes, the fear builds up over a period of time.  An employee makes threats, and no one reports them.  The threats continue.  More people become afraid.
Sometimes, the […]

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Another issue being addressed by some presidential candidates as noted in my recent post (January 3) is the need for the U.S. government to put pressure on American businesses that do business in China to ensure greater safety for Chinese workers.  A New York Times article addresses the continuing plight of the Chinese worker when […]

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For the most part, you have the right to tell your employees what to do.  If they don’t do it, you can discipline or fire them.  That’s a pretty basic concept when it comes to employment law.
But let’s take a look at the following questions and answers in trying to determine if there are situations […]

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If you want to see the new rule in its entirety, you can click on the link in the first post on this subject.
In summary, the new (and final) rule doesn’t create new requirements for what PPE employers must provide.  It does require employers to pay for almost all PPE covered by OSHA regs.  There […]

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The Occupational Safety & Health Administration has just published a new rule regarding the responsibility of employers to pay for their employees’ personal protective equiqment (PPE).  Check it out.
OSHA publishes employer-paid personal protective equipment final rule

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We have two breakouts going right now.
The first is called “Wolverines in the Workplace: Combat Tactics for Bullies on the Job.”  It’s being presented by Margaret Morford, President of HR Edge in Brentwood, Tennessee, and Brad Siegel with Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur in Columbus, Ohio.  This presentation was made at AEIS in Nashville by Margaret […]

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