Today I will present at the Central Iowa SHRM monthly meeting located at Copper Creek Golf Course on electronic workplace issues. The electronic workplace is all around us. Computers, voice mail, internet, intranet, e-mail, fax machines, laptops, PDAs, videoconferencing, social media, blogs and more are common features in the American workplace. The development of the
Business Litigation
Pizza Hut: A Tough Employment Situation Any Way You Slice It
The Des Moines Register had an article about how support has poured in for a Pizza Hut Delivery driver that was suspended from work after he shot an alleged armed robber. The employee had a valid handgun permit but a Pizza Hut human resources representative indicated that employees are not allowed to carry guns "because we (Pizza…
What You Need to Know About Retaliation Claims
Pennsylvania employment lawyer Michael Moore has an excellent post on Five Things Every HR Generalist Should Know about Retaliation Claims. Michael notes that the number of retaliation claims rose 18% in 2007 to a record high, doubling since 1992. His post covers the following areas:
- What is unlawful retaliation?
- What is "Adverse Action" by
…
Today’s Lawyers Must Be Mindful of Social Media and Pretrial Publicity
Des Moines attorney Charles Kenville has a great post on the need for lawyers to be mindful of the new media exposure in their cases. Chuck has a criminal law bent to his post but his reminder is just as true for civil cases.
I know from experience that savvy businesses are acutely aware…
Should Employers Allow Employees to Start Businesses?
I read a Des Moines Register article this past week on a young man who is starting a business while employed by another company. According to the SBA deputy director in Iowa this happens frequently. I must say that I greatly admire anyone who has the courage and desire to start their own business. But…
A Must Read: Cautionary Tale About Partnership
A cautionary tale about partnership from Richard Fox on the Kauffman eVenturing site is an absolute must read. Fox shares how he thought his legal background would protect him well as he created shareholder agreements, buy/sell agreements, voting trusts, special bylaws and articles of incorporation when he entered into a business partnership. But even he was surprised…
Rush Nigut Joins Brick Gentry, P.C. Law Firm
Today is my last day with the Sullivan & Ward law firm. This coming Monday I am taking a hop, skip and a jump over to the law firm of Brick Gentry, P.C. in West Des Moines, Iowa. This is actually almost literally true as the Brick Gentry law firm is located across the parking lot just to the west…
Is Blogging Hazardous for Your Career?
As a blogger you may want to read this post from the Write Stuff on how to protect your online reputation.
The post discusses how several employees have been fired from their jobs for writing controversial blog posts including a Web designer that shared stories and opinions about co-workers on a personal blog…
Interview Tips to Live By
I don’t know a single employer that can’t use some good interview tips. Fortunately for us Ohio Employer attorney Jon Hyman shares how to avoid hidden interview traps and common stereotypes to avoid during job interviews.
These are great posts so be sure to check them out.
Deleted Email Case Provides Important Lessons
The Electronic Discovery Blog of K & L Gates has an informative post on a recent electronic discovery decision out of the Northern District of Georgia.
In the case the court found that deleted emails were not reasonably accessible and the defendant had no duty to search backup tapes for emails of a sexual nature…