The US District Court for the Southern District of New York recently ruled that an alleged wrong done to an employee after she had given birth was grounds to sue under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA). The case involved circumstances that convinced the court were sufficient to support a claim under the Act. For more… Read more »
BOLT Blog
7 Warning Signs You're About to Lose Your Superstar
Are you noticing unusual behavior in a key employee? Are you getting seemingly random requests for time off? Is a normally casual dresser showing up wearing a tie? These, among other things might indicate someone is preparing to punch out permanently. Here’s a checklist, complete with caveats.
FMLA Developments, Part 2
Another instance of FMLA news this week is far more serious. The US Third Circuit Court of Appeals set aside the longstanding “mailbox rule” that posited properly directed mail that reached a post office or the hands of a letter carrier was sufficient to presume that the letter reached the person to whom it was… Read more »
FMLA Developments, Part 1
This week brought news regarding the Family Medical Leave Act. The first reports a Cornell University study of European leave policies that are generally more generous than the mandated, but unpaid, leave the federal government imposed on American employers years ago. One of the revelations uncovered by the prestigious institution is that longer leave and… Read more »
Social Media Sand Traps
For some time the explosion in the popularity of social media caught regulators and legislatures napping. However, the states are catching up and recent legislation is restricting what employers and other institutional authorities can demand of individuals regarding their personal email and social media accounts. It’s hard to imagine that employers in this litigious age… Read more »
Comparing Jobs? Consider Your Costs
It’s no surprise that car ownership is expensive. Yet it’s an easily overlooked factor in our career decisions. The prospect of a healthy raise both financially and in status may tempt a mid-career professional to accept a more distant job opportunity. Similarly, people working temporary jobs these days are experiencing the luxury of choosing between… Read more »
When I Grow Up I Want to be…
The earlier post on Words referred to an article that linked to O*Net. O*Net is a fascinating tool no matter where you find yourself in your career. Whether you are looking to begin a career, in a job search, or in the hiring business, this is a tool worth exploring. For college students looking to… Read more »
What's in a Word?
Interviews commonly include open-ended questions that will trap the unprepared. A classic is “what words do you use to describe yourself?” Here’s an article that can help free you from stammering out words that sound like they came from the Boy Scout oath.
What to Look for In the Job Application Process
Employers will be facing increasing challenges finding qualified candidates. As every baby boomer departs the workforce the number of qualified candidates shrinks not only as a result of the experience the old timers take with them, but also because of the sheer force of numbers. Some 78 million boomers were born between 1946 and 1964.… Read more »
Student Loans: The Facts
If you’re taking student loans to finance your education you know that once you graduate, the repayment clock starts ticking. Do you also know that if you fall below half time enrollment you also trigger the clock? Some loans have a grace period of 6 months, while other loans require payment to start immediately. Here’s… Read more »