Peter the Elf graces our home every year between Thanksgiving night and Christmas Eve. He’s my family’s Elf on the Shelf. If you don’t have kids (or don’t celebrate Christmas), the Elf on the Shelf (available at Amazon and other fine retailers) is Santa’s eyes and ears. Each night after the kids go to bed he flies back to the North Pole to report to Santa on whether the kids are being naughty or nice. Each morning, before the kids awaken, he returns, perched in a different spot. The children can talk to Peter, but he is not allowed to talk back. But, if they touch Peter, he loses his Christmas magic and cannot fly back to the North Pole to tell Santa how good they’ve been (although I guess if they’ve been naughty they have nothing to lose).
My daughter (age 4½) added these words of wisdom about Peter in deciding to get dressed in her bedroom instead of our family room: “I don’t want Peter to see me naked. Then I’ll definitely get rocks for Christmas.”
Employers, were you naughty or nice in 2010? There’s still time to get on my nice list by clicking over to the ABA Blawg 100 and casting your vote for the Ohio Employer’s Law Blog.
Here are two great holiday-related posts I read this week:
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Twas the Night Before Christmas -- Non-Compete Style – from Trade Secrets & Non-Compete Blog
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A Festivus for the Rest of Us, or at Least for This Guy – from Lowering the Bar
Here’s the rest of what I read this week:
Discrimination
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People are Special – and not always in a good way – from Rob Schwartz’s Fairness Matters
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It couldn’t POSSIBLY be harassment... or could it? – from Stephen Meyer’s HR Cafe
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Duty of Loyalty vs. Opposing Discrimination – from Workplace Prof Blog
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Disciplining a harassment complainant: tread carefully but it can be done – from Warren & Hays Employment Law Blog
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Weighing In On Wal-Mart – from Stephanie Thomas at Compensation Cafe
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The sound of accommodation: do you hear what I hear? – from Donna Seale’s Human Rights in the Workplace
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An Obvious Add to Your Harassment Training Platform: Top Ten Lists of Hotness – from Kris Dunn, The HR Capitalist
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Jamie Errico sues over alleged ban on wearing crucifix to work – from the New York Post
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Employer’s Remarks About Employee’s Miscarriage and Pregnancy Allow Discrimination Claim to Move Forward – from Wisconsin Employment & Labor Law Blog
Social Media
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Is it Ever a Good Idea to Friend Subordinates or, for Teachers, Students? – from Daniel Schwartz’s Connecticut Employment Law Blog
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Does Updating a Facebook Page Violate a Non-Compete? – from HR Daily Advisor
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What You Wish Your Lawyer Had Told You About Social Media – from Social Media Law Update
Privacy & Technology
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“Why Companies Don't Deserve Personal Privacy Rights” – from Howard Bashman’s How Appealing
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“1984” Big Brother in the Workplace? – from Minnesota Labor & Employment Law Blog
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The internet and the ‘end of privacy’ – from CNN
HR & Employee Relations
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Bad Background Checks Equal Bad Hiring Decisions – from employeescreenIQ Blog
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“Have you been denied a job based on your Criminal History?” – from Walter Olson’s Overlawyered
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If Labor Law is so Unfair, Why Then.... – from Michael Haberman’s HR Observations
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Whistleblower-Palooza – from Philip Miles’s Lawffice Space
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Sheer Dress Code Awesomeness – from Evil HR Lady
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Garlic and Onions? Just Say No, Swiss Bank Says in New Dress Code – from Joe’s HR and Benefits Blog
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‘Hostile Makeover’ Pits Employer Against Employee Concerning Unhealthy Habits – from ABA Journal Daily News
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Focus on Workplace Flexibility – The Rise of Older Workers and Caregivers – from Corporate Voices for Working Families
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Death to the write-up? – from Work Matters
Wage & Hour
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Supreme Court May Weigh in on When Employers Can Take Advantage of the “Fluctuating Workweek” Method for Calculating Overtime – from Wage & Hour Defense Blog
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States, feds crack down on firms using ‘contract workers’ – from USAToday
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Employer can require compliance with call-in policy, even during FMLA leave – from Employment Law Matters
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