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| The number of workers claiming
job discrimination based on disability, religion or national origin surged to new highs last year,
as federal job bias complaints overall stayed at near-record levels. Overall, the EEOC received more
than 93,000 discrimination claims during the 2009 fiscal year, a two percent decrease from the
record set in 2008, but still the second-highest level in the commission's history. |
| (Source: USA Today (free reg. req'd),
2010-01-06) |
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| The U.S. government fined only
three of the 797 employers that violated federal labor laws while paying subminimum wages to
disabled workers over a five-year period. Critics say the new statistics confirm what they have long
alleged: Companies typically have nothing to lose by violating wage-and-hour laws intended to
protect disabled workers. |
| (Source: Des Moines Register,
2010-01-05) |
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| More corporate boards are
hiring smaller executive-pay consultancies amid growing concern over possible conflicts of interest
at big pay consultants. Directors at companies such as General Mills and Visa recently retained
smaller pay advisers after dropping large consulting firms that provide other human-resources advice
to management. |
| (Source: The Wall Street Journal,
2010-01-11) |
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| Gun owners in Indiana will be
able to keep their firearms locked in their vehicles at work without fear of reprisal from employers
if a bill progressing in the General Assembly becomes law. Opponents of the bill, mostly businesses
and business groups, say it violates the rights of property owners to make policies that keep their
workplaces safe. |
| (Source: WSBT.com, 2010-01-17) |
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| Many executives will find
something extra in their 2009 bonuses: conditions on whether they can keep the money. Of the 100
largest U.S. companies by revenue, 70 say they have so-called clawback provisions that allow them to
recoup pay, up from 16 in 2006, according to Equilar, a compensation research firm. But companies
that have had clawbacks haven't used them much. |
| (Source: BusinessWeek, 2010-01-14) |
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| A dispute involving Senator
John McCain has left the National Labor Relations Board unable to decide its most important cases.
For two years, the board, which polices the labor laws governing unionized workers and unionization
drives, has limped along with just two members, rather than its full complement of five, leaving
many cases unresolved because of a 1-to-1 deadlock. |
| (Source: The New York Times (free reg. req'd),
2010-01-14) |
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| The downturn in the economy
may be creating more circumstances that lead to violent outbursts, says Larry Chavez, an expert on
workplace violence. Although there are no hard data connecting violence with economic downturns,
periods of economic difficulty have been linked to increases in violent behavior. |
| (Source: Christian Science Monitor,
2010-01-07) |
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| The recent recession and
record unemployment rates have increased pressure on the workers' compensation insurance system to
help return injured employees back to work while effectively managing costs. Injured worker claims
are down but so is funding for return-to-work programs, anti-fraud efforts, new regulations and
overall monitoring of state workers' compensation systems. |
| (Source: Insurance Journal,
2010-01-15) |
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| From home buying to casual
shopping, millions of recession-weary Americans have become painfully aware of how bad credit can
influence the cost of everyday living. That's why it's no surprise that the issue of credit is
assuming a more visible role in employer background checks. |
| (Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune (free reg. req'd), 2010-01-11) |
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| Employers once steered clear
of mixing work and personal finance due to concerns about liability. But since the recession began,
more employers are providing resources for financial education and credit counseling. |
| (Source: Modesto Bee, 2010-01-12) |
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Courts Expand Exceptions to the Employment at Will Doctrine Under Indiana Law
Indiana follows the doctrine of employment at will, which generally means that either party may
terminate the employment relationship, with or without reason, as long as the reason does not
violate the law. The Indiana Supreme Court has recognized only a few narrow exceptions to the
employment at will doctrine under Indiana law. Several recent Indiana decisions, however, have
expanded the scope of those exceptions. As a result of these court decisions, employers can be
held responsible not only for terminating an employee, but also for causing an employee to quit.
Read the entire article about employment at
will. |
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Ice Miller's Labor and
Employment Practice is proud to partner with Lorman Education Services to present a seminar on
"Administering the Family and Medical Leave Act Under the Current Regulations" on Friday, March
5. The seminar will take place at the Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel. This
event will be a great opportunity to network with other professionals in your area.
You can receive $50 off the registration fee by using the priority code 15000 and discount code
Z7745121. Click here to view the event
details and register, or call (866) 352-9539. |
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