Here is the latest issue of “This & That” Tuesday. I hope you find it to be informative and useful.

 

Announcements

You can always check out my website for upcoming speaking engagements that are guaranteed to be of value to business owners or for a list of topics that I can speak on at Chambers, Clubs, Business Associations, etc. More details about the events, topics and Human Resources 4U, in general, can be found on my website.

Full Day Workshop on January 16: Start the new year on the right “employment law” foot!

Click on: HR4U 101 Workshop for more details. Now eligible for 8 hours of HRCI credit.

 

January 18, “Affordable Care Act Overview" sponsored by the Institute of Management Accountants

 

January 31, “How to Build a Hiring System for Consistent Performance” sponsored by Capstone Pacific Investment Strategies

 

February 11, “Leave Me Alone! An Overview of Leave Laws in California” workshop sponsored by Industry Manufacturers Council

 

L.A. Approves $1.25-Million Payout to Two Lesbian LAPD Officers

The Los Angeles City Council approved a $1.25-million payout to a lesbian LAPD officer and a lesbian retired officer to settle claims by the women that they were subjected to repeated sexual harassment by a supervisor. In an 11-1 vote, the council signed off on the payout to avoid a trial in a lawsuit filed in 2011.

 

The two women, both openly gay, were assigned to the department's Van Nuys Division in 2010, where they were supervised by Sgt. Randy Hoffmaster, a 25-year veteran of the force.

 

On several occasions, the women charged in court documents, Hoffmaster made vulgar sexual comments and propositions. Their repeated complaints to more senior officials led to nothing, the women said in the lawsuit.

 

After the officers filed suit, department officials opened an internal investigation, said Matthew McNicholas, the women's attorney. The findings have not been made public, but according to McNicholas, Hoffmaster resigned at the conclusion of the inquiry.

 

Along with the findings of the LAPD's investigation, the women's claims were supported by officers who witnessed the abuse and who were prepared to testify at trial.

 

The apparent failure of department officials to address the women's complaints until after a lawsuit was filed underscores an ongoing struggle within the LAPD. Top police officials and the civilian board that oversees the force have come under increasing pressure to improve the department's ability to quickly and effectively resolve workplace conflicts before they result in costly litigation.

 

Which Federal Employment Posters Must Be Seen by Applicants?

There are three federal employment law posters that must be available to applicants: the FMLA poster, the EEO poster and the Employee Polygraph Protection Act poster.

As many applicants now apply online, or are interviewed and even hired without in-person interviews, it may be difficult for employers to know how to comply with this posting requirement.

 

The DOL offers this guidance:

Most of our poster regulations were written before the Internet was used for job postings. Until the regulations are revised, please place a prominent notice on the website where the job postings are listed stating that “Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws” and link to the three posters: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster; Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Poster; and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) Poster. Please note, however, that posting the notice on the employer’s website in this manner is not a substitute for posting these EEO posters in conspicuous places on the employer’s premises where otherwise required.”

 

Factoids

• 58% of people are afraid of dying while 62% are afraid of the stock market
• In 2012, 23.2% of adults in CA lacked health insurance. Only Texas (28.8%), Louisiana (24%) and Nevada (23.3%) had more.
• The five most commonly offered voluntary benefits are:
  • Life Insurance (94%)
  • Vision Insurance (84%)
  • Disability Insurance (80%)
  • Dental Insurance (80%)
  • Accident Insurance (68%)

Quotes

“Whenever there is fear, you will get wrong figures.”
~W. Edwards Deming~