NovationHR’s Human Resources experience is built from our avid hands-on management of client relationships. We have positively impacted the business operations of all size companies in a wide range of industries.
These are just a few issues we have solved. Some are everyday administrative matters, others require professional knowledge, and even more demand strategic expertise.
It is a fact that these situations have, can or will arise in your business. Are you prepared?
- Employee sues over ADA violation
- An Intermittent FMLA abuser
- Accidents and Emergencies in the Workplace
- Sexual Harassment
- Wage and Hour Compliance
- An Employee is Arrested
- An Interoffice Affair
- Forgot about COBRA
- A Department Against a Supervisor
- Poor Employee Appearance
- Religion in the Workplace
- Company is Restructuring
- An Employee’s Personal Issues Interfere with Work
Employee sues over ADA violation
An employee in your warehouse has suffered a work related injury which has led to a permanent disability. Profitability demands a layoff in this department. So, you terminate the disabled worker because he is the least flexible. He then sues you for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Do you know if you have …
- a labor law attorney that can effectively devise your legal strategy?
- documented proof or the employee’s limitations and shortcomings that support your position relative to the law and the other employees in the department?
- management the flexibility to implement a complex legal strategy
addressing this situation?
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An Intermittent FMLA abuser
A production worker has a condition that allows him to take intermittent FMLA leave. You believe he is abusing the system because you notice that he consistently takes every other Friday off. However, he always has the proper documentation to cover his absences.
Do you know if you have …
- an accurate records system in place that tracks the FMLA status of all employees?
- a staff member who has the expertise to develop a strategy that will stop the abuse, while staying in compliance with this complex law?
- adequately documented the abuses under the law and prescribed all the rights of the employer?
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Accidents and Emergencies in the Workplace
One of your clerical employees falls in the production area and suffers a compound fracture of the left arm. She is suing for pain and suffering because it took over 15 minutes for someone to call an ambulance after her fall.
Do you know if you have …
- an implemented safety policy outlining an Emergency Action Plan?
- documented safety training for all employees?
- labor law attorney that can effectively devise your legal strategy and staff to put it into action?
- active management of the workers compensation as this claim processes?
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Sexual Harassment
You learn that your Sales Manager has been telling sexist jokes that demean women in the weekly sales meetings. A female Customer Service Manager has complained about the jokes in the past and no one has done anything about it. After a few months she quits and files a formal sexual harassment claim.
Do you know if you have …
- a sexual harassment policy that has been implemented and diversity training that has been documented for all employees?
- staff that has the experience and expertise to manage a sexual harassment investigation?
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Wage and Hour Compliance
Your production department receives a weekly bonus based on volume. Some of your employees claim that their overtime is not being calculated correctly and file a class-action lawsuit. You discover that your long-term payroll clerk has not correctly incorporated the bonuses into employee’s overtime rates for the last five years.
Do you know if …
- your wage and hourly practices are routinely audited for compliance?
- efficient time and attendance records were kept for all the employees hours?
- accurate performance data was being communicated between production and payroll?
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An Employee is Arrested
One of your employees is arrested over the weekend for a parole violation. He calls Monday morning and asks you to fax his timesheet to jail so that he can sign off on his hours worked last week.
Do you know if …
- your attendance policy is designed to handle this situation?
- the hiring process includes running a background check?
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An Interoffice Affair
Two of your employees are having an affair – the married Vice President of Sales and a sales representative. Everyone in the department is aware of the relationship and a few employees have complained about favoritism. Additionally, you fear that there will be disruptions in the work environment when the affair ends.
Do you know if …
- you have a well designed employee handbook coupled with effective policy enforcement on this issue?
- strategic restructuring in a non-discriminatory manner within the department can defuse the situation and improve morale?
- there is a possibility of a sexual harassment accusation and if so if the company is protected or at risk?
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Forgot about COBRA
An employee is terminated on Friday afternoon and you forgot to make yourself a note to send out his COBRA letter.
Do you know if …
- this employee is still eligible for COBRA benefits?
- your organization understands the consequences for noncompliance and ways to resolve the situation and reduce liability?
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A Department Against a Supervisor
Employees in your production department are protesting, in growing numbers, against the third shift supervisor’s management style by wearing black armbands.
Do you know if …
- regular communication meetings were being held with the department employees and supervisors?
- an effective harassment policy including investigation procedures are in place?
- your employee handbook has an employee complaint procedure?
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Poor Employee Appearance
One of your most reliable and hard working office employees consistently wears inappropriate clothing to work and has poor hygiene.
Do you know if …
- someone has had a one-on-one documented discussion with him reviewing company policies?
- you have documented policies on the employee handbook that address the situation?
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Religion in the Workplace
A group of engineers in your design department are devout Christians. A new employee claims to be a Satanist and begins to receive verbal threats. As a result, both the new employee and the group of engineers want someone terminated.
Do you know if …
- an effective harassment policy including investigation procedures are in place?
- a signed employee handbook acknowledgement is on file for each employee?
- company policies and procedures have been effectively communicated to the employees?
- diversity training is a part of your new hire orientation program for all employees?
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Company is Restructuring
There is an unexpected dip in sales and you are forced to make what you hope will be short-term changes in the form of organizational restructuring. After a few months of reduced demand, you determine that your best option is to merge with a mid-size competitor.
Do you know if …
- your staff has the knowledge and expertise to incorporate a restructuring process that impacts all aspects of your business including senior employees?
- your Human Resource Department has up to date and accurate performance evaluations?
- an effective cross-training program has been implemented?
- you have the ability to implement employee retention methods such as succession planning?
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An Employee’s Personal Issues Interfere with Work
One your most productive sales managers has an obvious problem with drugs and gambling. His performance is suffering and he is beginning to take unexplained days off work.
Do you know if …
- you have documented acknowledgment of the employee handbook and it has been filed?
- an effective leave of absence policy including FMLA is being administered?
- he has been communicated with about the various wellness programs available to him?
- a cross-training program has been effectively implemented?
- the employee has legal rights under the ADA in the event the employee leaves or is terminated?