From Hiring To Firing:
The Legal Survival Guide for Employers

by Steven Mitchell Sack

How To Use This Book

Chapter 1. Initial Concerns

• A. Advertisements and Brochures
• B. Job Requirements
• C. Affirmative Action
• D. Applicant Screening
• E. Employment Applications
• F. Job Resumes
• G. Immigation Checks
• H. Discriminatory Interview Questions
• I. Job Misrepresentation
• J. Promises of Job Security
• K. Checking References
• L. Testing

Chapter 2. Negotiating and Confirming the Job

• A. Confirm the Deal in Writing
• B. Employment Agencies
• C. Part-Time Positions
• D. Independent Contractor Status
• E. Effective Policies and Procedures

Chapter 3. On-The-Job Benefits

• A. Flexibility to Alter Benefits
• B. Meals, Transportation and Related Benefits
• C. Common Overtime Problems
• D. Employee Suggestions and Inventions
• E. COBRA Developments
• F. Health Benefits of Employees with AIDS
• G. ERISA Concerns
• H. Tuition Assistance
• I. Potpourri of Concerns

Chapter 4. Protecting the Company From Dishonest Employees

• A. Confidential Information and Trade Secrets
• B. Duty of Loyalty and Good Faith
• C. Restrictive Covenants and Covenants Not to Compete
• D. Stealing Away Employees
• E. Code of Ethics
• F. Common Anti-Trust Violations

Chapter 5. Employee's Privacy Rig

• A. Lie Detector Tests
• B. Personnel Records
• C. Off-Duty Surveillance
• D. Credit Investigations
• E. Medical Investigations
• F. Searches
• G. Interrogations
• H. Wiretapping and Eavesdropping
• I. Employee Testing
• J. Drug and Alcohol Testing
• K. Workplace Smoking
• L. Constitutional Protections
• M. Defamation and Related Concerns
• N. Liability for Assaults

Chapter 6. Effective On-The-Job Policies

• A. Appraisals and Performance Reviews
• B. Communication and Complaints
• C. Promotions, Demotions and Related Concerns
• D. Progressive Discipline
• E. Probationary Periods
• F. Military Leave
• G. Job Safety
• H. Worker's Compensation

Chapter 7. Avoiding On-The-Job Discrimination

• A. The Civil Rights Act of 1991
• B. Older Workers Benefit Protection Act
• C. American With Disabilities Act
• D. Sex Discrimination
• E. The Equal Pay Act of 1963
• F. Pregnancy Discrimination
• G. The Family and Medical Leave Act
• H. Sex Harassment
• I. Religious Discrimination
• J. Racial Discrimination
• K. Age Discrimination
• L. Disability Discrimination
• M. Retaliation Discrimination

Chapter 8. How To Fire Properly

• A. Terms of Employment
• B. Personnel Records
• C. Progressive Discipline Guidelines
• D. Employee Manuals
• E. Employment Contracts
• F. Statutory Considerations
• G. Public Policy Exceptions
• H. Implied Covenants of Good Faith and Fair Dealing
• I. Implied Contract Exceptions
• J. Discrimination Laws
• K. Advantages of an Independent Review
• L. Plant Closings
• M. Employer Legal Options and Strategies

Chapter 9. Avoiding Defamation And Other Post-Termination Problems

• A. Dealing with Potential Employers
• B. The Exit Interview
• C. Enforcement of Restrictive Covenants
• D. Severance Policy
• E. Tax Ramifications of Structuring Settlements
• F. Defamation Concerns
• G. Hidden Labor Issues When Buying Or Selling a Business
• H. Unemployment Hearings

Glossary