Page 1 of Crystal O'Brien's writing

1. Are You Using Social Media to Screen Applicants? Online searches on sites like Google, Yahoo, and social networks like Twitter, Linked-In, Friendster and Facebook can provide employers with a greater ability to screen applicants than ever before. This is primarily because the world-wide web is... (posted by Crystal 2 years 174 days ago.)

2. The Swine Flu and You: What Are Employers Required To Do? As the long lines of diligent people waiting for H1N1 vaccinations mount and winter approaches, managers of workplaces large and small cannot help but wonder are they prepared for managing business under the threat of a pandemic? The truth is, all... (posted by Crystal 2 years 174 days ago.)

3. Worker Classification Investigations Gain Momentum Currently, one of the fastest growing areas of litigation, including class action suits, is in the proper classification of workers as either employees or Independent Contractors. The dictionary defines an Independent Contractor as "a person who... (posted by Crystal 2 years 195 days ago.)

4. Exempt v.s. Non-Exempt: Common Misclassification Mistakes In this article we will assume that all persons have been properly classified as employees and the next question to consider: How should a work position be considered exempt or non-exempt? A brief definition of each classification is as follows:... (posted by Crystal 2 years 195 days ago.)

5. How To Avoid Wrongful Termination Claims A termination spurred by conduct that is unlawfully motivated by sex, ethnicity or age discrimination, in furtherance of unlawful retaliation, or which breaches a contract, or violates a well-established public policy is "wrongful." Such that... (posted by Crystal 3 years 88 days ago.)

6. All Employers of California Labor Are Duly Warned On November 6th, in Sullivan v. Oracle Corp., Inc. , the Ninth Circuit decided a matter that is certain to long implications on employers nationwide. Oracle, the software giant, hired hundreds of employees it classified as "teachers" to train... (posted by Crystal 3 years 133 days ago.)

7. Is Your Workplace Showing Signs Of Disengagement? Honing Your Emotional I.Q. Surveys reveal that some 50 to 75 percent of employees say they will leave their current employer once the job market improves. Members of your own staff may be no exception. How you identify who may be vulnerable to "poachers," and what you do to... (posted by Crystal 3 years 232 days ago.)

8. Workplace Law Update: EE Must Establish All Elements Of FMLA Interference Claim In an interesting July 24, 2008 published federal court decision, Caskey v. Colgate-Palmolive Co., the 7th Circuit considered the requisite elements for an employee seeking damages under an alleged interference of rights provided under the Family... (posted by Crystal 3 years 294 days ago.)

9. Workplace Law Update: Employer Bares Burden of Proof In Defending Defamation Claims In a July 30, 2008 California Court of Appeal case, a Syrian descendant employee was found to have successfully brought claims of discrimination, retaliation, and defamation allegations against his employer Trendwest. Tamer Mamou was a member of... (posted by Crystal 3 years 294 days ago.)

10. Rising Gas Prices = Employer Paid Mileage Hikes IRS Authorizes Another Increase In Mileage Reimbursements Perhaps not a minute too soon, the IRS has increased the optional standard mileage rate. Generally, what this means is for taxpayers who itemize deductions, they can deduct up to 58.5... (posted by Crystal 3 years 323 days ago.)

11. When Employees Don't Get Along: What To Do? For Those Who Find Themselves In The Role Of Mediator In this time of pressing economic concerns, busy work schedules, and limited resources, the ability to exercise patience in the workplace can be a challenge. It's no wonder that conflict... (posted by Crystal 3 years 323 days ago.)