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| According to an analysis of
age-discrimination lawsuits, using even subtle ageist language with older workers has a negative
impact on employee productivity and company profits. Despite an increased presence of older
employees, researchers discovered that ageist language still exists in many workplaces -- and it can
have damaging effects for both companies and workers. |
| (Source: Occupational Hazards,
2008-04-10) |
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| The number of petitions for
H-1B temporary workers filed for next year increased overall by about 20 percent this time around,
U.S. immigration officials said. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said it had closed this
year's application window, having received more than enough petitions to meet a congressionally
mandated cap of 65,000 visas and fill another 20,000 slots for foreigners holding advanced degrees
from U.S. universities. |
| (Source: CNET News.com, 2008-04-11) |
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| Contrary to much that has been
written about the differences between generations regarding their attitudes toward work and their
engagement in their jobs, these variations are actually relatively small, according to research
completed by Sirota Survey Intelligence. "With the exception of employees age 63 and older, the
differences between employees' levels of engagement in their jobs are fairly narrow," said Douglas
Klein, president of Sirota Survey Intelligence. |
| (Source: CCH Business & Corporate Compliance,
2008-04-14) |
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| In another sign of growing
demand for increased oversight of CEO compensation, more executives are saying the heads of their
companies are paid too much, according to a global survey. Thirty-four percent of respondents to the
survey by executive recruiter Korn/Ferry International expressed concern about their CEOs'
compensation, compared with 21 percent a year ago. |
| (Source: Reuters, 2008-04-15) |
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| Business and labor groups have
taken last year's expensive lobbying fight over secret ballots and unions to campaigns across the
country, as both sides highlight research suggesting candidates would be better off embracing their
positions. A coalition of business groups is pressing a new poll that concludes Sens. Norm Coleman
(R-Minn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) could be boosted by their votes last year against the Employee
Free Choice Act, which would allow workers to form unions without a secret ballot. |
| (Source: The Hill, 2008-04-15) |
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| A new survey found that rising
health-care costs and a shaky economy have consumers worried about saving enough to keep them
comfortable in retirement. The Employee Benefit Research Institute's annual survey showed the
weakest worker confidence in seven years with just 61 percent saying they were "very confident" or
"somewhat confident" of having enough money for retirement, down from 70 percent in 2007 and the
poorest showing since 63 percent in 2001, when the economy was in recession. |
| (Source: Louisville Courier-Journal,
2008-04-14) |
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| The rate of obesity in the
United States has doubled in the last 30 years, and those extra pounds weigh on companies' bottom
lines, according to a new report from The Conference Board. Obese employees cost U.S. private
employers an estimated $45 billion annually in medical expenditures and work loss. |
| (Source: Insurance Journal,
2008-04-10) |
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| Ever since Michael Scott
commanded his employees to smack ethnic labels on their foreheads and guess their identity by how
coworkers treated them, we've come to expect one thing from NBC's The Office: stingingly funny
satire that rings uncomfortably true in the workplace. There are indeed lessons to be found in the
foibles we find so funny during those 30 minutes each week. |
| (Source: U.S. News & World Report,
2008-04-08) |
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| Xerox and representatives of
current and former black sales representatives have settled a class action lawsuit accusing the
officer equipment manufacturer of race discrimination. The settlement would require Xerox to pay $12
million to 1,100 former and current employees and includes legal fees. |
| (Source: USA Today (free reg. req'd),
2008-04-11) |
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| A federal jury in Pittsburgh
has awarded 12 Elizabeth Forward teachers about $1.2 million in back pay and compensatory damages
for age and gender discrimination by the district. However, the final cost to the district could be
about three times that amount, if a 2005 decision for three other teachers is any indicator. |
| (Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,
2008-04-10) |
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| The U.S. Department of
Homeland Security has extended the time some foreign graduates of U.S. colleges can stay in the
country and work, earning the agency praise from Microsoft and other supporters of increased numbers
of foreign worker visas. DHS extended from 12 months to 29 months the length of time a graduating
student in science and technology fields can stay in the U.S. without a worker visa. |
| (Source: PC World, 2008-04-12) |
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| Baltimore County could be
forced to dole out more than $19 million to pay back alleged "excess" pension contributions to older
employees, actuaries said. The estimate came in response to a federal age discrimination lawsuit
filed against Baltimore County government for requiring older employees to make higher pension
contributions than younger employees. |
| (Source: The Examiner, 2008-04-12) |
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| Susannah
Pieper |
In a recent case, a federal appellate court expanded the availability of retaliation claims
under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII). The plaintiff was fired soon
after his fiancée, who also worked for the same employer, filed a charge of discrimination with the
EEOC. Despite the fact that the plaintiff had not personally complained about discrimination
or harassment and had not himself opposed any unlawful practices, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Sixth Circuit (which covers Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee) held that he could maintain a
cause of action for retaliation against his employer under Title VII.
Read the article regarding expanded
availability of retaliation claims.
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| Ryan
Metzing |
Employees Want to Organize, Citing Health Care Expenses and Inability to Make Ends
Meet
In the midst of headlines drawing attention to new union organizing campaigns and public
demonstrations for union rights, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit—which
has jurisdiction over employers located in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin—has reminded employers of
their obligation to strike a fair balance between employee-organization rights and employer property
rights.
Read the article about a
necessary consideration companies must make for policies against forming unions.
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Upcoming layoff or plant
shutdown?
Appoint a manager to investigate and deal with worker's compensation claims, even if you have a
worker's compensation insurance carrier. Be sure that you keep all relevant records, including
attendance, clinic or first aid logs, supervisor's records, and detailed job descriptions. Remember,
claims may be filed as much as two years after the employee is terminated.
Please contact Kathleen Shortridge or Ann
Stewart if you have any worker's comp questions.
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