The Proactive Employer

Employers have long recognized that conducting due diligence on new hires is a mission critical task. Firms cannot afford to be sidetracked by employee problems such as workplace violence, theft, false resumes, embezzlement, harassment or trumped-up injury claims. Employers can be sued for negligent hiring if they hire someone they should have known, through the exercise of due diligence, as dangerous, unfit, dishonest or unqualified. In this episode, we talk with 

Dealing with complex gender discrimination issues in the workplace is very challenging. From pay to promotion to pregnancy, employers are facing risks they may not be prepared to manage. Understanding what these risks are, knowing what internal processes you should have, and what data and documentation you should maintain is a critical component of reducing these risks and ensuring your workplace is free of gender discrimination. In this episode, we speak with 

Drug and alcohol impairment in America’s workforce is a growing problem. According to studies by the Center for Substance Abuse and SAMHSA, 22.6 million Americans used illicit drugs in the past month. 66% of those users are employed. 3.1% of workers admitted to using drugs before or during work hours in the previous year. Drug and alcohol impairment in the workplace presents a danger to employees and the public, causes increased workplace accidents, increased absences, decreased productiv...

As 2012 draws to a close, it’s time once again to look back on the year that was. During the past 12 months, we’ve talked to a variety of leading experts and policy-makers: EEOC Commissioner Chai Feldblum, OFCCP Director Patricia Shiu, civil rights activist Lilly Ledbetter, Former Wage and Hour Administrator Tammy McCutchen,  Former EEOC Vice Chair Leslie Silverman and Harvard Professor Frank Dobbin, just to name a few. Our guests have shared a wealth of practical suggestions on ma...

As 2012 draws to a close, our thoughts often turn to the coming year. What does 2013 have in store for federal contractors? Will there be staffing changes at OFCCP? Is a pullback on the agency’s regulatory agenda possible? What new policies will be unveiled? Where will OFCCP focus its enforcement efforts? In this episode, we talk with Mickey Silberman about what federal contractors can expect from OFCCP in the coming year. We talk about the agency’s enormous regulatory agenda and th...

We’ve all heard about the Bill of Rights, which guarantees our freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to bear arms, among other things. But did you know that there’s an Employer Bill of Rights? The Employer Bill of Rights: A Manager’s Guide to Workplace Law, by Jonathan Hyman, is a practical handbook designed to help managers and b...

There’s a new movement taking hold - a movement about changing the way we plan and run our businesses, being more connected to our community, and enjoying the personal and economic benefits that come from doing so. It represents a fundamental change in thinking about the relationship between private enterprise, NGOs, civil groups and the public: through cooperation, everyone can benefit by considering and responding to the evolving needs and beliefs of today’s society. In this episo...

This year’s presidential campaigns featured discussions on firing Big Bird, the unemployment situation in this country, the 47% and the failed campaign promises. But have you thought about where the candidates stand on issues related to human resources and employment law? In this episode, we talk with Patricia Trainor about where President Obama and Governor Romney stand on human resources and em...

In 1988, Congress designated October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year’s theme is “A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?” To celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we hosted a special one-hour round table discussion on disability employment. Guests for this round table include Form...

Small Businesses, listen up! There are some huge changes headed your way very soon, and you need to start preparing for them now. These changes encompass everything from tax credits to unemployment insurance to health care to workers compensation. The new rules will be effective as of January 1, 2013, so now is the time for small businesses to take action. In this episode, we talk with David Siracusa and