Category Archives: employer policies

Attractive Women! Retaliation Claims! Social Media! Mixed Drinks! In a Wage-Hour Case?

Posted on February 19, 2013 by mavity2012

Ok… I admit to sounding like a British tabloid writer.  However, how often can one discuss a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) case set in an upscale bar,  involving allegations of retaliation and threatening social media posts?  I suspect that wage-hour … Continue reading →

Posted in discipline and discharge, EEOC, employer policies, government inspections, hospitality, social media, wage hour, whistleblower/retaliation, workplace violence | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Protecting Employees During AND After Winter Storms

Posted on February 8, 2013 by mavity2012

Our Portland, Maine office NEVER closes, so when I saw the internal announcement  that even that stolid crew was fleeing the storm, I knew it was bad. I am traveling on business through Sunday and do not have the opportunity … Continue reading →

Posted in emergency response, employer benefit plans, employer policies, OSHA, workers comp | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

More Safety-Driven Attacks on Retailers

Posted on February 7, 2013 by mavity2012

Read the press on allegations that contractors for a major retailer locked employees in during cleaning and committed other safety violations.  I have no idea as to the validity of the claims against the contractors.  I do know that Target is a … Continue reading →

Posted in concerted protected activity, employer policies, government inspections, hospitality, OSHA, union organizing, workers comp | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kudos to the Top Workplaces In America Winners!

Posted on January 31, 2013 by mavity2012

Check out the Top Workplaces In America List.  There are admittedly numerous national and local lists of “Best Places to Work,” but for various reasons I find the Workforce Dynamics process to produce more accurate results than many other efforts.  … Continue reading →

Posted in cultural changes, employer policies, management and leadership, wellness | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are You Required to record the Flu On OSHA 300 Logs?

Posted on January 30, 2013 by mavity2012

Normally,… no. The general rule under 1910.5(b)(2)(viii) is: Not if the  illness is the common cold or flu (Note: contagious diseases such as tuberculosis, brucellosis, hepatitis A, or plague are considered work-related if the employee is infected at work). However,… … Continue reading →

Posted in aging workforce, employer policies, government inspections, OSHA, workers comp | Tagged | Leave a comment

Worst Case Scenario – National Claims and a Painful Ergonomic Settlement

Posted on January 30, 2013 by mavity2012

This is a sobering Blog.  There are legitimate workplace safety concerns involving ergonomic issues in many industries, but how would you like to be on the receiving end of the attacks described below?  Let’ discuss the most recent development in … Continue reading →

Posted in aging workforce, concerted protected activity, cultural changes, employer policies, government inspections, hospitality, incentive plans, OSHA, retail, social media, union organizing, unions, wellness, workers comp | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

D.C. Court of Appeals Rules NLRB Recess Appointments Were Unconstitutional

Posted on January 25, 2013 by mavity2012

Wow. The Administration will appeal this decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, but if the Court upholds the Appeals Court, hundreds of NLRB decisions, some of them quite controversial, will be thrown out. I hope that we do not now hear a … Continue reading →

Posted in concerted protected activity, discipline and discharge, employer policies, government inspections, NLRB, social media, union organizing, unions | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

For My Fellow Attorneys… Do the Cobbler’s Children Have Shoes?

Posted on January 24, 2013 by mavity2012

I could not resist linking to a recent Fortune Magazine article criticizing law firm treatment of personnel; especially associates. Because we are a labor firm, we are constantly becoming better at practicing what we preach, but it requires purposeful effort … Continue reading →

Posted in cultural changes, discipline and discharge, employer policies, management and leadership, managing legal matters | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Not Sexy, But It Is Important: Top 10 OSHA Crane Standards Cited

Posted on January 23, 2013 by mavity2012

Thanks to Jim Goss, one of the best safety Professionals I know, for the list below of common OSHA Crane Citations.  1. 1926.1428(a) Signal person not qualified 2. 1926.1425(c)(3) Materials not rigged by a qualified rigger 3. 1926.1428(a)(3) No documentation … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, employer policies, government inspections, OSHA | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

OSHA WILL Go After You If They Don’t Like Your Policies On Discipline For Not reporting Injuries

Posted on January 17, 2013 by mavity2012

OSHA Region V recently gave a presentation on their focus on retaliation cases, including an intense scrutiny of rules and discipline related to failure to timely report workplace injuries. These comments reflect the OSHA National emphasis  I keep harping about … Continue reading →

Posted in aging workforce, discipline and discharge, employer policies, government inspections, incentive plans, OSHA, whistleblower/retaliation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment