Human Resources

ADDRESSING WORKPLACE VIOLENCE: 7 STEPS FOR PREVENTION AND MITIGATION

by Global Guardian in Human Resources, Legal, Safety & Security. Posted May 7, 2024

Organizations must do more to protect their personnel from the threats or actions of violence. Here are seven steps they can take to help mitigate and respond to workplace violence. INSIDE THIS ARTICLE, YOU’LL FIND:1. Understand the problem 2. Create a written workplace violence prevention plan 3. Lean on technology for prevention and reaction 4. ...

New EEOC Workplace Harassment Guidance on LGBTQ+ Workers and More Takes Effect Immediately: 5 Key Takeaways for Employers

by Fisher Phillips in Human Resources, Legal, Safety & Security. Posted April 30, 2024

Employers may need to update their harassment-prevention policies, procedures, and trainings now that the federal government released long-anticipated guidance on the topic. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s enforcement guidance on harassment in the workplace was updated yesterday for the first time in 30 years to adapt existing standards to the modern workplace. Specifically, the agency ...

Starbucks Asks SCOTUS for Clearer Standard for NLRB Injunctions: What Employers Need to Know

by Fisher Phillips in Human Resources, Legal, Risk Management. Posted April 23, 2024

In a case before the Supreme Court, Starbucks says it fired several employees for violating valid company policies — but the National Labor Relations Board convinced a lower court to reinstate the employees while a legal battle ensues over whether they were actually fired for engaging in union organizing activities. The coffee chain argues the ...

FTC Targets Employers Utilizing Worker Surveillance Technologies

by Darius Rohani-Shukla in Human Resources, Legal, Safety & Security, Technology. Posted April 4, 2024

When used appropriately, worker surveillance technologies like time and attendance software, video surveillance systems, GPS tracking software, and biometric technology can benefit employers in a variety of ways, including by boosting productivity, identifying internal and external cybersecurity threats, and even preventing or responding to workplace accidents. However, employers must be careful that employee monitoring programs ...

3 AI Bills in Congress for Employers to Track: Proposed Laws Target Automated Systems, Workplace Surveillance, And More

by Fisher Phillips in Human Resources, Legal, Safety & Security, Technology. Posted April 2, 2024

Employers that use artificial intelligence – and developers that create AI systems – could be subject to extensive new laws under several bills introduced by federal legislators. While much of the existing legal landscape on AI centers on broad, overarching principles, Congress is now considering bills that hone in on more specific issues like the ...

New York Lawmakers Aim to Close Loopholes in NYC’s AI Bias Audit Law and Add Teeth to Workplace Protections

by Fisher Phillips in Human Resources, Legal. Posted March 28, 2024

At least two proposed bills pending before the New York State Legislature would force employers to conduct bias audits and provide high levels of transparency if they use AI-fueled automated employment decision tools for employment decisions. This is something that NYC’s first-in-the-nation bias audit law was supposed to accomplish but in some ways fell short. These ...

Labor Department’s New Overtime Rule Likely Coming Soon: Your 8-Step Plan to Prepare

by Fisher Phillips in Human Resources, Legal. Posted March 26, 2024

More of your employees may be eligible for overtime pay under a new rule that is likely to be finalized in April and could take effect soon. As proposed in August, the Labor Department intends to significantly raise the exempt salary threshold for the so-called “white-collar” exemptions from about $35K to about $55K – meaning ...

Colorado and Washington Likely to Join Growing List of States Banning Captive Audience Meetings: 5 Steps Employers Can Take to Comply

by Fisher Phillips in Human Resources, Legal. Posted March 12, 2024

Colorado and Washington will likely become the latest states to ban employers from holding mandatory meetings with employees concerning religious or political matters. Such employer-sponsored meetings, known as “captive audience meetings,” require employee attendance under threat of discharge, discipline, or some other penalty, and concern religious or political matters – including whether employees should join ...

Inspiring Inclusion on International Women’s Day: 10 Ways to Empower Women in the Workplace

by Fisher Phillips in Human Resources, Legal. Posted March 7, 2024

The theme of International Women’s Day this year is “Inspire Inclusion.” While it is important to consider the inclusivity and diversity of our workplaces year-round, IWD — which takes place annually on March 8 — is a perfect opportunity to assess and enhance your efforts to foster a work environment that includes and empowers women. ...

5 Reasons Why You Should Hire a Chief AI Officer – and 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t

by Fisher Phillips in Human Resources, Legal, Technology. Posted March 5, 2024

Is it the hottest job in corporate America – or is it a passing fad that will fade away in a matter of months? Either way, 2024 will be the year of the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO). This Insight will briefly discuss the exponential growth of CAIO roles over the past year and provide ...