IAG's New Manager Training Article on Employment Law

SEATTLE, May 27, 2010 – Understanding labor laws is a big challenge for new managers. Training is critical since new supervisors, at all times, are agents of the company, according to Impact Achievement Group.

Federal, state and even company policies regarding employment laws are complex and are a key focus for human resource professionals. They must communicate the basics of employment law to the newly promoted, as violation can cost the manager – and the company – dearly.

The Law: Compliance Basics, the fifth in a 12-part article series and available at http://www.impactachievement.com/labor_law_compliance_basics.html, is a handy reference for new managers regarding key employment legal issues and pitfalls. The articles are derived from Supervisory Basics™, 12 individual, yet linked, two-hour training modules, delivered in leader-led or eLearning formats that help managers understand the management behaviors and tactics required to ensure their and their company’s success.

Legal concerns can and will vary by organization, location, and state or province or country. But every manager must know the basics, including:

• Sexual harassment laws cover all employees. Managers have a responsibility to inquire into any rumors regarding sexual harassment or issues regarding a hostile work environment.

• Organizations can be found guilty if they knew, or reasonably should have known, about illegal acts. For instance, they can be guilty of allowing sexual harassment even when the supervisors and managers have no knowledge of the offending behavior.

• Health insurance is not a legal right but a benefit. If it is offered to any full-time employee, it must be offered to all full-time employees.

• Sexual harassment or hostile work environment protections extend to employees and also customer, vendor and supplier relationships.

• An organization is usually considered “guilty until proven innocent” when accused of illegal labor practices. The burden of proof usually falls on the employer.

“New managers must know legal basics for those employees they supervise,” said Lee Klepinger, president. “Ignoring the issue puts the manager and the organization at legal risk.”

The Law: Compliance Basics is available for download at http://www.impactachievement.com/compliancebasics.html. Article six will discuss performance review skills.

About Impact Achievement Group
Impact Achievement Group provides assessment, coaching, customer loyalty and leadership development training that focuses on employee selection, retention, employee engagement and customer engagement. By integrating and blending the world’s best assessment and recruiting processes, workshops and eLearning training, coaching and measurement programs, Impact Achievement Group helps organizations improve human performance to achieve bottom line results.

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Contact:

Lee Klepinger
888/248-5553
leek@impactachievement.com

Gail DeLano
Fisher Vista/HRmarketer
831/685-9700
gdelano@fishervista.com