Did you know that age discrimination claims filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) increased approximately one percent in 2011?  And, as baby boomers continue to stay in the workplace, the likelihood of age discrimination claims increasing in 2012 is very high. 

As an employer, there are several steps you can take to minimize the risk of one or more employees filing a complaint of age discrimination under the Age Discrimination Employment Act (ADEA).  The ADEA prohibits discrimination against individuals aged 40 and older.

As more and more employees use social media to connect with friends and families, it should come as no surprise that social media would also be used by employees to complain about their working conditions.  In some situations, employees may rant about their supervisors, their pay or even the company, in general.  So what course of action does an employer have to protect its supervisors and the company’s reputation?

As 2011 comes to an end, the subject of holiday celebrations starts to spread through organizations. 

These celebrations are not as easy to coordinate as some may think.  There are several key issues that must be resolved early on if the celebration is to be a success, including:

Once upon a time, employers were able to terminate nonunion employees with or without cause.  This “employment-at-will” practice has been eroded over time as a result of court decisions and legislation.  As a result, employers must now carefully evaluate all decisions to terminate an employee in order to avoid claims of wrongful termination.

Employees may bring wrongful termination claims based on discrimination, express or implied employment contracts, retaliation and under common law.

Wrongful termination claims may involve discrimination based on one or more federal or state “protected classes”, including, race, color, religion, military (veteran) status, marital status, union activity, sex, age, national origin and disability.

Question:
How do we make meetings more effective?  It seems like most of the time we’re waiting for someone to show up, or we get off the subject, or employees come unprepared to discuss the subject matter.

a. There’s nothing that can be done because most meetings are a waste of time.

b. There’s nothing that can be done because you can’t change employee behavior.

c. Formalize the meeting process.

d. Only invite employees to the meeting if they are prepared and interested in participating.

Answer:  (c) Formalize the meeting process.