The saga continues as a Target store in Valley Stream NY that won its union election against UFCW Local 1500 has now seen the result overturned by an administrative law judge.  A re-run election has been ordered.  Target was found to have committed various unfair labor practices which unlawfully affected the result of the election.  Sometimes companies knowingly commit these ULPs in the belief that winners tend to win again on a rerun election.  Of course I do not know whether that is what Target was thinking, but the re-run promises to be just as contentious as the first election.  Stay tuned.  Click on the heading for a jump to the article.  

On May 9, 2012, in a truly wretched decision for HR Directors, the federal appeals court for the Second Circuit held that when an HR Director does his/her job and runs an internal investigation of sexual harassment, and is then fired for doing so, he

Medallion Taxi drivers are organizing across the country. Black cars next.

Click to read my thoughts on the recent trend of employers asking for access to the private social media accounts of job applicants.  Talk of doing it pursuant to written policies in order to limit legal exposure seems to invite trouble.  What do you think?

NYC anti-discrimination law applied to popular night club’s “ladies only” job ad

Quite a few people are “Googling” whether their company can make attendance at the company holiday party mandatory. The general answer is yes, but if they do they should pay you for your attendance just like any other mandatory company meeting. For that reason, many companies will make the party optional, but strongly “encourage” you to attend. Which brings up another practical point: Even if the party is optional, what signal might you be sending if you refuse to go? Office politics are already confusing and brutal, so dont compound that by shooting yourself in the foot. 

An exception to the general rule regarding mandatory attendance would be that if you object to the company holiday party on bona fide religious grounds, the company may have an obligation to reasonably accommodate you. 

Some people are also “Googling” dress code for company holiday parties. Start by asking HR, and looking at any company policies. In the end, since it is a company event, you cannot go wrong with business attire. 

For more on company holiday party issues, hit the link.

http://www.reidkellypc.com/news/the-company-holiday-party-hr%E2%80%99s-role-as-party-planner/