Before the coming crackdown.

Workplace romance in the #MeToo era is so complicated.

DEAR READERS: Before you accuse me of legal malpractice, take a look at tomorrow's date.  

Habit 1: Discriminate, retaliate, harass -- have a ball! There's a new sheriff in town, with a more employer-friendly, compliance-assistance-oriented U.S. Department of Labor (we think) and the nullification of burdensome regulations like the gone-and-not-lamented Fair Pay and Safe ...

All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."

This week, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a proposed Enforcement Guidance on workplace harassment. It's 75 pages long, so a little too much to cover in a single blog post. The EEOC is seeking comments from the public until February 9, so I will start with the comment-worthy provisions. Next week, I'll post about the proposed Guidance more generally. Overall, the ...

"The boss is a jerk. I dread coming to work every day. I'm treated unfairly. Everyone else gets better treatment than I do. My pay stinks, and my company's paid-time-off policy leaves much to be desired. I should sue!"

The Daily Mail had an article this week about "the moment [employees] started hating their jobs," based on a Reddit discussion thread entitled "What work ...

The time is always right to do the right thing.

"An apple a day keeps the doctor lawyer away." Here are five easy and inexpensive things that employers can do to minimize their risk of being sued and maximize their chances of victory if they do get sued. None of these involve major expense, or even the use of lawyers.

1. Err on the side of treating your workers as (a) non-exempt and (b) "employees." Let this be your default ...

"I Have a Dream," in its entirety. This is about 17 minutes long, but it's well worth the time if you haven't heard it in a while, or if you have never heard it as it was actually delivered in 1963.

http://youtu.be/1UV1fs8lAbg

Thank you, Dr. King. May you rest in peace.

How much do you really know about sexual relationships in the workplace? Take my quiz, and find out!

Bert gives Ernie all the cushy jobs because they're having a consensual affair. Can Ernie's co-workers sue for sex harassment or discrimination?

NO, because Bert and Ernie are both men.

YES, because Bert's favoritism creates a hostile work environment.

NO, because the relationship is ...