Charles A. Krugel, Labor & Employment Law, HR LawCharles A. Krugel, Labor & Employment Law, HR LawDedicated to labor & employment law & HR. Articles, analysis & photos concerning law, trends & history. Original content from Charles Krugel, a Chicago based management side labor & employment lawyer. Articles
Broken Media Links Will Soon Be Fixed
2007-04-16 05:05:00 I just discovered that Snapdrive is unreliable and that some of the MP3s I've stored on there aren't working anymore. They used to work. So, I'm in the process of fixing these links. They're some of my media interviews in the left column. This shouldn't take more than a few days to fix. More About: Media , Links , Broken , Fixed
Chuck Krugel TV Interview Is Now Part of A Law School's Curriculum
2007-04-03 05:06:00 Recently, I discovered that 2/3 of my September 1, 2006, TV interview on the Chicago local cable access show "The Employment Hour" (click on the link to see it on You Tube) hosted and produced by Mohammed Faheem and Paul Kutylo, has become part of the optional materials for a law school course.The 1st two segments of the interview (20 minutes) are part of Professor Todd Cheesman's Entrepreneur Law course at the Massachusetts School of Law in Andover, Massachusetts. More specifically they're in the Optional Materials section of week 6 of the course which is Employment Law. If you click on the following link it will take you to that part of Todd's syllabus-- http://www.concord-law.net/Entrepreneur/W eek%206.htm.Here's a course description of Todd's Entrepreneur Law course: This course will inform the student of relevant matters in the creation or acquisition of a business. Specific legal theory covering personal and business planning, selection of the right entity at the right ... More About: Interview , Curriculum , Part , Chuck
Obese Police: Firms Force Workers to Slim Down
2007-03-19 02:30:00 No, the above title doesn't refer to doughnut eating cops, it's about an increasingly popular tool to reduce healthcare costs and increase workplace productivity--wellness programs. Crain's Chicago Business recently published the following article about wellness programs. It cites a program implemented by my associates over at The Horton Group for their own employees (I've published some of Horton's materials on this blog). To fight back against rising health care costs, employers are rewarding workers who lose beer bellies, flabby fanniesEmployees at Horton Group in Orland Park have been bypassing prime parking spaces near their office's entrance for spots deep in the lot. It's not that they've enjoyed February's single-digit temperatures. The more they walk, the more points they earn toward up to $400 a year in free stuff at retailers like Amazon.com. Horton, an insurance brokerage, is betting the new program, which uses pedometers to tally steps, will help its 350 wor... More About: Workers , Police , Force , Slim , Worker
Chuck Krugel 3/16/07 Law Seminar at Loyola University Chicago's Downtown Ca
2007-02-26 04:50:00 On Tuesday, March 13, 2007, from 5-6 p.m., I'll be giving a free "Understanding Employment Law" seminar at Loyola University of Chicago's Water Tower campus. This is sponsored by Loyola's Graduate School of Business and Loyola's student Human Resource Student Association. It takes place at Loyola's Water Tower Campus (law school), 25 E. Pearson, #1201. Although it's free, registration is required, either contact me or send an e-mail to lucshrm@yahoo.com. Refreshments will be served (not by me). Thanks to Elvira Beltran, Loyola alum, and with the Chicago Transit Authority and the Labor and Employment Relations Association for setting this up. Below is the handout from my January 17, 2007, Labor & Employment Law Seminar sponsored by the City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Licensing and given at Chicago's City Hall. Just click on a page to enlarge the view. More About: Downtown , Chuck
Employee Screening and Risk Assessment
2007-02-12 03:00:00 Tony Ramos, President, Integra Security Alliance, and I wrote the following article.Employee Screening and Risk Assessment Recent headlines of workplace violence, violence by home service personnel, as well as convicted rapists working as private security officers or child care providers, has raised serious questions regarding employee screening programs.What is negligent hiring?Should all companies be expected to have a screening policy?Does every employee need to be screened?How much should a company expect to pay for screening?What can it cost a company should they chose not to have a screening program?Are all screening companies alike?According to Charles Krugel, Human Resources Attorney & Counselor Labor & Employment Law on Behalf of Management www.charlesakrugel.com and Director, Legal & Compliance Services The Human Resource Store (www.hrstore.com) as well as a member of the Integra Security Alliance: Negligent hiring and negligent retention lawsuits are increasing, ... More About: Cree
January 16, 2007, Radio Interview Info. & Link
2007-02-02 23:57:00 On Tuesday, January 16, 2007, 2pm CST, I did a live 30-minute radio interview on WorldTalkRadio .com's radio program "Values and Ethics: From Living Room to Boardroom" hosted by Jason Merchey. The interview concerned the interaction business ethics and labor and employment law. To listen to the interview directly from World Talk Radio's website click here. Or, you can link to MP3s of the interview directly from here: Segment 1 (15-minutes); Segment 2 (15-minutes). More About: Info , Interview , Link
Article From The Horton Group Newsletter--What's Appropriate to Ask Job Can
2007-01-29 03:56:00 Last week, Paul Shaheen, Vice President of The Horton Group (www.thehortongroup.com), issued Horton?s 1st ?Legal-EASE!? newsletter?Timely tips, courtesy of the Horton Group's Law Practice Division. An article that I wrote is the inaugural piece. It?s below. If you?d like to subscribe to this newsletter, feel free to contact Paul at paul.shaheen@thehortongroup.com. Also, his full contact information follows the article. What's Appropriate to Ask Job Candidates? By: Charles A. Krugel (www.charlesakrugel.com) Although there are only a few explicitly illegal questions that an employer should never ask a job applicant, there are many more questions which lead to the inference that the employer intended to illegally exclude (discriminate against) a member of a protected class. One way to help avoid or minimize liability for discrimination is to ask all applicants all of the same questions. Additionally, it's crucial that you focus on questions related to the esse... More About: Article , Newsletter , Artic , Prop
Chuck Krugel 1/17/07 Labor & Employment Law Seminar @ Chicago's City Hall &
2007-01-06 23:20:00 Based on the success of my 1st seminar, the City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs & Licensing has asked me to do a 2nd employment law seminar. This free seminar will be on Wednesday, January 17, 2007, from 3pm-4:30pm at City Hall , 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 805. Like my November 15, 2006, seminar, this will be largely Q&A and round-table discussion. Additionally, I'll be providing participants with a 16-page handout summarizing 56 federal, state and local labor & employment laws, and examining a variety of human resources related legal issues. Thanks to the Department of Business Affairs & Licensing (Anthony Bertuca, Geralyn Catino & Alfredo Camarena & for organizing this). If you would like to attend just let me know, or contact Anthony Bertuca at bf00603@cityofchicago.org. On Tuesday, January 16, 2007, at 2pm CST, I'll be doing a live 30-minute call-in radio interview on WorldTalkRadio.com's radio program "Values and Ethics: ... More About: Employment , Seminar , Labor
Benefit Plan Assessment Tool
2006-12-28 16:34:00 Paul Shaheen, Vice President of The Horton Group (an insurance broker that provides risk management and employee benefits to businesses of all sizes), provided me with a copy of their employer benefits survey. It provides an interesting overview concerning what businesses should consider when choosing benefits plans. The following is a selection of topics from the survey which a business should examine prior to choosing an employee benefits plan. If you?d like a copy of the complete survey in PDF format, please don?t hesitate to contact me. Assessment & ReviewDo you have a formal process to survey employees annually for feedback and rate their satisfaction with the plan?Is your plan aligned with your company?s business plan?Have you implemented or reviewed alternate funding options, such as transplants or specialty pharmacy?Have you forecasted the current cost over the next five years?Have you defined your benefit philosophy?Have you benchmarked your cost sharing with employees a... More About: Tool , Plan , Benefit
Want to Avoid or Quickly Resolve Labor & Employment Problems? Listen To Yo
2006-12-14 00:24:00 As a fan of professional basketball, football and baseball, especially Chicago?s teams, I often find valuable business lessons in analogizing labor and employment law related issues to those in sports (chess too for that matter). These analogies include the triangle offense/defense (basketball), the 46 defense (football) or what to say or not to say to motivate players (Mike Ditka, Ozzie Guillen and Scott Skiles). This year, the National Basketball Association (NBA) switched from leather balls to synthetic microfiber balls. After conducting very little testing with current NBA players, league management unilaterally decided to make the change. Well, after repeated and loud complaints, from such well known players as MVPs Shaquille O?Neal and Steve Nash, the NBA decided that as of January 2007, the leather balls are back. Many players complained that the new balls were too slippery and caused cuts on their fingers. The lesson in all of this is that as a business, if you?re goin... More About: Employment , Problems , Listen , Labor , Avoid
12/11/06 Labor & Employment Law Seminar @ Kent College of Law, Chicago
2006-12-04 01:59:00 On Monday, December 11, 2006, I?ll be conducting a labor and employment law seminar at the Illinois Institute of Technology?s (IIT) Stuart Graduate School of Business, at the Kent College of Law, for a group of 21 government officials and business people from the northern Chinese province of Inner Mongolia. They?re studying at the Stuart School and obtaining some certification in business, although I?m not really aware of the specifics. Thanks to Harry Lepinske, President of the Central Asian Productivity Research Center, for setting this up. More About: Chicago , Employment , Seminar , Labor
Chuck Krugel 11/15/06 Labor & Employment Law Seminar @ Chicago's City Hall
2006-11-09 05:39:00 On Wednesday, November 15, 2006, from 3pm-4:30pm, I'll be conducting a free employment law seminar at Chicago's City Hall , 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 805. This will be largely Q&A and round-table discussion. Additionally, I'll be providing participants with a 14 page handout summarizing 55 federal, state and local labor and employment laws, and explaining what human resources and labor and employment law are, what can be asked of job applicants via interviews and applications, and how much an employment dispute could cost. Thanks to the Community Economic Development Law Project (Angela Hall and Loren VanDyke www.cedlp.org) and the City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs & Licensing (Anthony Bertuca) for organizing this. If you would like to attend either contact me or the DBA. More About: Employment , Seminar , Labor
Chuck Krugel Radio Interview From 11/2/06
2006-11-06 04:30:02 On November 2, 2006, I was interviewed for my 3rd time by Dr. Tom Rogers and Jim Velos of The Rogers Group on their Voice America Business channel show "Business Dis-eases: Cure Them Or Die." The following is the program description from Voice America: "Tom and Jim continually get legal questions on HR issues from both employees and employers. Tom and Jim are pleased to bring back Charles Krugel, More About: Radio , Inter , Interview , View , Chuck
Chuck Krugel Radio Interview From 9/26/06
2006-10-01 13:27:03 On Tuesday, 9/26, I was interviewed on the World Talk Radio (www.worldtalkradio.com) show "KidsDadsMoms.com Radio Show" discussing "Issues Relating to Child Employment in the USA." I was part of a panel discussion concerning child labor, particularly in the entertainment industry. The other 2 panel members were Paul Petersen, former child actor and entertainer ("Donna Reed Show" currently a More About: Inter , Interview , View , Chuck
People @ Work-Photo #1-Maxwell Street, Chicago Circa 1903-19
2006-08-19 03:36:01 A pet peeve of mine are the generic photos of people at work that a lot of brochures, pamphlets and websites use. You know the ones, they show a generic looking group of people, well groomed, conservatively dressed, ready to conquer the world. Or, you just see photos of hand shaking, cell phone talking, people in a meeting, etc. My website will have photos of real people at work. My first More About: Photo , People , Chicago , Work , Street
Addendum to 9/11 Post: Sights Set on WalMart & the AFL-CIO
2006-08-19 03:36:01 In my previous post, I discussed the concept of employers utilizing services provided by faith based organizations (e.g., synagogues, mosques, churches and temples), social services agencies and community organizations, on behalf of their employees. Well, I have worked with clients to successfully incorporate these third party services into human resources planning. Generally, this is done in More About: Sights , Post , Mart , Alma , Addendum
Illinois Senate Bill 2446: The Employer Meeting and Communic
2006-08-19 03:36:01 Currently awaiting a 3rd reading, the Employer Meeting and Comm unication Act (Act), is sponsored by State Senator Gary Forby. Senator Forby is a Democrat from south-central Illinois and Chairperson of the Senate ?s Labor Committee. The Act was introduced on January 18, 2006. As it currently reads, the Act prohibits employers, including employer representatives or agents, ?from requiring More About: Muni
Synopsis & Analysis of My 45 Minute 3/16/06 Radio Interview
2006-08-19 03:36:01 On March 16, 2006, Dr. Tom Rogers and Jim Velos of The Rogers Group (www.drtomrogers.com; industrial/organizational psychologists and consultants), interviewed me on their Voice America Business channel program: Business Dis-eases: Cure Them or Die. The direct link for the interview is: http://tinyurl.com/zwl5t. The URL for Voice America?s Business channel is www.business.voiceamerica.com. More About: Radio , Analysis , Inter , Interview , View
Seminar: Starting & Building a Successful Solo & Small Law
2006-08-19 03:36:01 Michael Zolno, MA, MBA, www.zolnoconsulting.com, and I have commenced a partnership to offer a 2-session workshop to teach lawyers how to start and build a successful solo and small law practice. The 1st session is on August 28 and the 2nd session on August 30. Both sessions are from 4-7pm. The seminars are graciously hosted by American Chartered Bank, 932 W. Randolph St. More About: Building , Success , Start , Star , Small
People @ Work-Photo #8-Chicago Circa 1990
2006-08-07 03:12:02 After a brief hiatus of my People At Work series of photos, I return with a photo of my dad, Matthew Krugel, at work at his store Bel-Mar Pharmacy.This photo was taken around 1990. This was about 4 years before he closed the business. Bel-Mar and my dad were in the Belmont-Cragin area of Chicago for about 35 years (beginning 1964). Bel-Mar was first on the south east corner of the intersection of Diversey and Laramie. Then around 1977, my dad bought the store across the street (5200 W. Diversey), and was there until 1994. He was the pharmacist, owner and a fixture in the neighborhood until he sold the business to F&M (a smaller version of Wal-Mart; now out of business). To see an enlarged view, just click on the photo. More About: Photo , Circa
What Are Human Resources, Labor & Employment Law & Labor & E
2006-08-07 03:12:02 On 12/8/05, Dr. Tom Rogers and Jim Velos of The Rogers Group (www.drtomrogers.com), interviewed me on their Voice America Business channel program, ?Business Dis-eases: Cure Them or Die.? The direct link for the interview is: http://voiceamerica.com/common/check.php? url=http://wm.kinodigital.na-central.spee dera.net/wm.kinodigital.na-central/surfne tmediagroup/010183/Rogers120805.wma. The website URL for Voice America?s Business channel is www.business.voiceamerica.com. For 45 minutes, the duration of the interview, we examined how labor and employment legal costs can cripple or kill a business. I thought that for my blawg it would be great to summarize the interview and provide additional commentary, which couldn?t be included in the interview due to time constraints. This might help educate readers about the importance of human resources (HR) and HR cost containment. However, I think the first order of business should be to provide you with a definition of HR, labor and emplo... More About: Resources , Human Resources , Men , Human , Source
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
2006-08-07 03:12:02 DISCLAIMER: THE CONTENT CONTAINED IN THIS BLOG IS GENERAL INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. IT IS NOT DESIGNED TO BE AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION WHEN ANALYZING AND RESOLVING A SPECIFIC LEGAL ISSUE. EACH FACT SITUATION IS DIFFERENT; THE LAWS ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING. IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS REGARDING A PARTICULAR FACT SITUATION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH COMPETENT LEGAL COUNSEL. More About: Legal , Disclaimer , Disc
Summary of My 12/8/05 Radio Interview: Are ?Dis-eased? Empl
2006-08-07 03:12:02 On 12/8/05, Dr. Tom Rogers and Jim Velos of The Rogers Group (www.drtomrogers.com), interviewed me on their Voice America Business channel program: Business Dis-eases: Cure Them or Die. The direct link to the interview is: http://voiceamerica.com/common/check.php? url=http://wm.kinodigital.na-central. speedera.net/wm. kinodigital.na-central/surfnetmediagroup/ 01018 Rogers120805.wma. The URL for Voice America?s Business channel is www.business.voiceamerica.com. This post summarizes the 45 minute interview. I?ve also added comments not included in the interview due to time constraints. TOPIC #1: REFERENCES?WHAT SHOULD OR CAN A BUSINESS SAY ABOUT A FORMER EMPLOYEE? What most businesses fear is being sued for slander, libel or defamation. Generally, a business is legally protected for speaking the truth and providing a good faith assessment of job performance. Nevertheless, it?s in the defense of these lawsuits where legal expenses pile up. Therefore, avoidance i... More About: Radio , Inter , Interview , Mary , View
My New Web Pages
2006-08-07 03:12:02 You can now read separate web pages about my practice and background, a page detailing my explanations of human resources, labor and employment law, and labor and employee relations, and a page with my resume. Permanent links to my pages will be on the right hand column of my blawg. Additionally, all of the content contained in the pages is original; written by me. The pages and links are:Summary of My Practice and BiographyWhat Are Human Resources, Labor & Employment Law, & Labor & Employee Relations?My Resume More About: Page , Pages , Ages
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
2006-08-07 03:12:02 DISCLAIMER: THE CONTENT CONTAINED IN THIS BLOG IS GENERAL INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. IT IS NOT DESIGNED TO BE AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION WHEN ANALYZING AND RESOLVING A SPECIFIC LEGAL ISSUE. EACH FACT SITUATION IS DIFFERENT; THE LAWS ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING. IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS REGARDING A PARTICULAR FACT SITUATION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH COMPETENT LEGAL COUNSEL. More About: Legal , Disclaimer , Disc
Sights Set on Wal-Mart & the AFL-CIO
2006-08-07 03:12:02 July?s breakup of the AFL-CIO, subsequent to the Change to Win Coalition?s (Coalition) split from the Federation, has led to the raiding of various bargaining units by the Coalition and the implementation of a novel organizing strategy. The Coalition, which presently consists of 7 former AFL-CIO affiliates, includes the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the Teamsters, the Laborers International Union of North America, UNITE HERE, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, and the United Farm Workers of America. Having made substantial gains, the Coalition now numbers over 6 million members, almost half of what the AFL-CIO had before the breakup. However, the Coalition?s key organizing strategy seems to consist of taking away public sector and service sector members from the AFL-CIO. In July 28, 2005?s The Nation, David Moberg reported that the Coalition is going after the American Federation of State Coun... More About: Sights , Mart , Wal-Mart , Wal Mart , Sigh
Chuck Krugel, Downtown Chicago, 8/4/05
2006-08-07 03:12:02 Chuck Krugel More About: Chicago , Downtown , Down , Town
Why the Union Movement Can?t Win-Final Post in This Series
2006-08-07 03:12:02 My final post in this series addresses the demise of the labor movement in America. On July 25, during the first day of the AFL-CIO?s 50th anniversary convention and elections in Chicago, it was announced that the SEIU and Teamsters made good on their threat to leave the AFL-CIO and start their own federation. I don?t think this matters. As indicated in my first post in this series, the numbers just don?t support union relevancy in the domestic private sector. Regardless of the formation of new labor federations, increased organizing activity, or a focus on nonpartisan politics, the labor movement is being demolished by globalization, the human capital movement, union prevention specialists and the unions themselves. Globalization just isn?t conducive to union organizing in the private sector. In order for domestic unionized companies to remain competitive, unions are increasingly asked to concede wages and benefits. Moreover, other than perhaps ... More About: Series , Men , Post , Union , This
Plans to Reform the AFL-CIO & the Labor Movement-2nd Post
2006-08-07 03:12:02 In November 2004, the 1.8 million member SEIU, released its plan to reignite the U.S. labor movement and begin a global movement. The plan is called Unite to Win. The Unite to Win plan, available on the Internet at www.unitetowin.org, is a ten point plan to revamp the AFL-CIO into a leaner labor organizing force. The first point, and perhaps the most interesting, is that the SEIU proposes to ?build new strength by stopping the ?Wal-Marting? of jobs.? The SEIU wants the AFL-CIO to put up dollars and energy to fight for good paying jobs which offer health care and benefits domestically and abroad. The abroad aspect leads to SEIU?s tenth point. The SEIU wants to ?build new strength by uniting a global labor movement.? Domestic ?unions must join with others around the world to form a global labor movement . . .? that fights ?for trade agreements that raise labor and environmental standards to the highest level instead of bringing them down to the lowest.? The SEIU proposes that ... More About: Men , Reform , Post , Plans , Labor
The Union Movement in Decline-1st Posting
More articles from this author:2006-08-07 03:12:02 This is the 1st of several postings concerning the future of the AFL-CIO, and the labor movement as a whole, which will appear over the course of the next week, leading up to the AFL-CIO convention in Chicago later this month. From July 25-28, 2005, at Navy Pier in Chicago , the AFL-CIO will convene its quadrennial convention and officer elections. There is much controversy surrounding the status of current AFL-CIO president John Sweeney and the potential for four AFL-CIO affiliates, including its biggest union affiliate, to split from the mother ship due to ideological differences with Sweeney. Moreover, the federation is celebrating its 50th anniversary at the convention. Does any of this really matter? Will it affect business and the labor movement in any meaningful matter? I don?t think so and here?s why. The total number of unionized workers in the U.S. has been in decline for years. According to the Labor Research Association (LRA), www.lrao... More About: Men , Post , Union , Move , Sting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
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