Yesterday, WCPN’s The Sound of Ideas was kind enough to invite me to speak about criminal background checks in employment and the “Ban the Box” movement.
Did you miss the live broadcast? 1) shame on you; and 2) today’s your lucky day because WCPN archives all of its broadcasts on its website.
Thanks Mike McIntyre for having me on. Let’s do it again soon.
If you’re near a radio tomorrow morning from 9 – 10, tune to 90.3 FM, WCPN, to hear me on The Sound of Ideas.
The topic of the day is “Ban the Box,” the disturbing legislative trend that prohibits employers from asking job applicants about criminal conviction histories on job applications. Given that we have an hour to fill, I imagine the discussion will also more broadly cover employment background searches in general.
If you miss the show live, I’ll have links for everyone to stream it at your leisure. You can also watch live on your computer here.
This is my second appearance on The Sound of Ideas, and I’m grateful to the show for having me back.
Jon Hyman
Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis
Eton Tower
28601 Chagrin Blvd., Ste. 500
Cleveland, Ohio 44122
216-831-0042
jhyman@meyersroman.com
www.meyersroman.com
If you want to make sure you avoid getting [sued] in the first place, I highly recommend not only getting an employment lawyer, but reading Hyman’s book. It will give you the information you need to make better choices regarding your employees and your business.I couldn’t agree more. For those who’ve yet to find my tome, it’s available at the following:
The list of pro sports teams that have four-peated their respective championships is a short one:
It’s a rare feat indeed.
Thus, I am humbly honored that the ABA Journal has, for the fourth year in a row, named me to its list of the top 100 legal blogs, simply known as the Blawg 100.
According to the ABA Journal, the criteria for inclusion are “blawgs that are regularly updated, contain original content, opinion and/or analysis. Many are also on our radar because the Journal staff finds the posts useful in terms of tipping us off to news or generating posts we consider worthy of coverage.” As for me, the ABA Journal says that I’m included because of my “frank and conversational style of writing, and “the quality of analysis.” Yes, ABA Journal, I’m blushing.
My blog is listed alongside six others in the “Labor & Employment” category (the most robust blawging community, if you ask me), each of which is very deserving of inclusion (in no particular order): Dan Schwartz’s Connecticut Employment Law Blog (and congrats to Dan for his enshrinement in the Blawg 100’s Hall of Fame), Molly DiBianca’s Delaware Employment Law Blog, Eric Meyer’s The Employer Handbook, Jeff Nowak’s FMLA Insights, Donna Ballman’s Screw You Guys, I’m Going Home, and Seyfarth Shaw’s Trading Secrets. I am particularly proud to be in this group because I consider many of these people to be friends, friendships which developed out of our blogs.
So, as we move towards Thanksgiving, I am especially thankful to all of you who have read what I’ve written for the past six and a half years. Cheers! I’ll see everyone back on Monday, as we start the march to number five.
It’s been almost a year-and-a-half since I started my relationship with Workforce.com. Most days, Workforce.com republishes my blog at The Practical Employer.
Workforce.com is the website of Workforce magazine, the world’s oldest HR publication, clocking in at 91 years old.
I was honored when, early this year, Workforce’s editorial director asked me to expand my relationship with the magazine by joining its Editorial Advisory Board. In this role, I, along with a dozen other industry leaders, content experts, and HR executives from leading companies, provide input and guidance into the editorial strategy and execution of the publication.
Part of this editorial strategy was directed at this month’s relaunch of the print magazine. One of the key cogs in this relaunch is the inclusion of monthly columnists in the magazine. To this end, I’ll be anchoring the magazine’s legal section with a monthly column.
You can read my first column—Talkin’ ‘bout Retaliation—in the September issue of Workforce.
Every now and then, I like to update everyone where you can see or hear me wax poetically on all things employment law.
Let’s start with tomorrow (March 19), when I’ll make my triumphant return to DriveThruHR, one of the web’s most popular radio shows discussing human resources. You can listen live at 1 pm on Blog Talk Radio or on DriveThruHR.com. You can also follow the conversation on Twitter @drivethruhr and with the hashtag #dthr.
Here’s what else I have planned through the summer:
On April 11, I’ll be presenting Think Before You Click: Strategies for Managing Social Media in the Workplace for HR.com. It is a free webinar to all registered HR.com members (which itself is free). Registration information is available here.
On April 23, I’ll in Chicago presenting, Is it Legal? Managing Legal Risks while Working with Legal to Build a Flexible Social Media Policy, at GSMI Social Media Strategies Summit. Information on the conference, including resigstration, is available here.
On April 25, I’m at the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association 13th Annual Northern Ohio Labor & Employment Law Conference. I’ve been tasked with what I consider the Keynote, entitled, Federal and State 2012 Employment Law Update: Is Your Client Ready for This?
Finally, I’m in NYC on July 31, presenting at the ACI Employment Discrimination Conference as part of a panel entitled, Social Media and Employment Law: Best Practices for Establishing a Social Media Employee Policy and Minimizing Exposure to Employment Litigation Arising from the Use of Social Media.
You can also keep up to date on where I am appearing throughout the year at the Speaking Engagements link at the top of the page. The page also indexes all of my old gigs.
If you are in attendance at any of the live events, please stop by and say hello.
It took a little head bashing of the fine folks at Amazon, but The Employer Bill of Rights is finally available for download onto your Kindle.
If you’re keeping track, the book is available in the following formats:
Thanks to everyone who has purchased so far, and for the kind words I’ve received from those who’ve read the book. Now, on to the best seller list…
After a “soft launch” a couple of weeks ago, I am officially announcing the launch of my latest book, The Employer Bill of Rights: A Manager’s Guide to Workplace Law. It is a practical handbook designed to help business owners, managers, supervisors, and human resources professionals navigate the ever-changing maze of labor and employment laws, rules, and regulations. Among other topics, it covers—
I’m really proud of how the book turned out.
I have a lot of people to thank. Here’s what I wrote in the book’s acknowledgements:
First, I must thank all of my partners at Kohrman Jackson & Krantz and, especially, our managing partner, Marc Krantz, who knows that there exist many ways for a lawyer to market himself or herself. He never hesitated when I suggested that I author a legal blog or write a book (or two), and for his support I am eternally grateful.
Before attending law school, I worked at a few jobs that were less than glamorous. To all of the people who shared those jobs with me, thank you for unknowingly and unwittingly helping me craft my views on the modern workplace.
Thank you to anyone who has ever published anything I have written, quoted me in an article, hosted me on a show, invited me to speak at an event, re-tweeted one of my 140-character thoughts, or linked to my blog. Without each of you, this book would not have occurred.
I thank the wonderful publishing team at Apress—Jeff Olson, Robert Hutchinson, and Rita Fernando—along with the publisher itself. They made the writing process work smoothly, which was essential as I juggled the authoring of this book with my full-time legal practice. They also patiently put up with my less-than-perfect execution of their SharePoint site as we worked though the editorial process.
Thank you to my parents, who taught me the value of education without ever pushing too hard.
Finally, thank you to my family—Colleen, Norah, and Donovan. You put up with my late-night and early-morning blogging and writing. You sometimes suffer in my absence caused by long workdays, late nights, or out-of-town trips. Yet, if I did not know that you are always standing behind me, none of it would be worth it. Thank you for loving me for who I am and supporting me for what I do.
If you want to purchase the book, it’s available in several places and formats:
I have also been told that an iBooks version is coming, although Apple runs a tad behind the others on its approvals.
I cannot think of a better stocking stuffer for that special business owner, manager, supervisor, or HR professional in your life. Amazon will even gift wrap it for you.
If you want to hear me talk about the book, you can tune in tomorrow to Stephanie Thomas’s The Proactive Employer. I’ll be live at 3 pm (and available on-demand thereafter) to discuss why employers need a bill of rights, the areas of greatest legal concern for employers, and how my book can help businesses make informed decisions and hedge against the biggest errors that too often result in expensive and time-consuming lawsuits.
Edward James Olmos once said, “I didn’t get into this business to get awards.” And while that may be true, it certainly is nice to be recognized.
Yesterday afternoon, the ABA Journal announced its annual list of the top 100 legal blogs, which it calls the Blawg 100. I was fortunate enough to be part of this list in 2010 and 2011, and equally fortunate that the ABA Journal recognized me again this year as part of its 6th annual list.
The labor & employment blawgosphere is among the richest, and I am pleased that I am sharing this honor with five fellow bloggers, each of whom I consider a friend.
Now comes the part where I graciously and unapologetically ask for your help. Between now and December 21, you have the opportunity to vote for your favorite blawg. All you need to do is go to www.abajournal.com/blawg100, register, and vote. You’ll find my blog under the “Labor & Employment” category. Thank you for your support.
Congratulations to all of the winners, and thank you to the ABA Journal for, once again, deeming my little project worthy of your recognition. It is much appreciated.
Tomorrow, I start my march toward a four-peat, with a post on the Supreme Court’s oral argument in Vance v. Ball State Univ., which will (maybe) answer the important question of who qualifies as a supervisor under Title VII.
I try not to shill too often. Sure, I let you know when and where you can see me speak (October 16 at the HR Compliance Conference / October 26 at the COSE Small Business Convention … please stop by and say hi). More often than not, though, I try to give a healthy dose of employment law news and information without any hard sells.
Today, however, is different. Yesterday, I completed my draft of The Employer Bill of Rights (of which I am extremely proud).
Here’s the description, courtesy of Amazon:
The Employer Bill of Rights: A Manager’s Guide to Workplace Law is a practical handbook designed to help managers and business owners navigate the ever-changing maze of labor and employment laws, rules, and regulations….
The Employer Bill of Rights: A Manager’s Guide to Workplace Law aids employers in navigating choppy personnel waters. It instructs employers on the ins and outs of the various laws. It provides employers with the confidence to make hiring, firing, and other personnel decisions free from the fear of litigation. No personnel decision or policy is litigation-proof, but The Employer Bill of Rights: A Manager’s Guide to Workplace Law will help businesses make informed decisions to hedge against the biggest blunders and errors that too often result in expensive and time-consuming lawsuits….
The Employer Bill of Rights: A Manager’s Guide to Workplace Law targets the owners of small to mid-size businesses and the managers that work in them. These businesses usually lack a dedicated in-house counsel responsible for, or knowledgeable in, labor and employment law. They often may also lack a human resources department. Without these internal resources, such businesses often shoot from the hip when making hiring, firing, pay, and other personnel decisions. Because of the intricacies and nuances of the ever-changing world of labor and employment law, these decisions can lead to costly mistakes. This book ensures that each personnel decision is made with the law—and the company’s best interests—in mind.
I’ll have a lot more to say about the book when (fingers crossed) it’s officially released on November 21, including some well-deserved thanks to my publisher, who has been invaluable as I navigated the writing process, and my partners, who provide me the freedom to chase these white rabbits down the hole.
For now, however, if you want to purchase some early holiday gifts, the book is on a pre-order sale at Amazon. I can’t think of a better stocking stuffer for that special HR person in your life.
Tomorrow, we’re back to your regularly scheduled employment law info.
For those of you who follow the Ohio Employer’s Law Blog via RSS. I have changed the RSS feed for the sight.
If you have no idea what I’m talking about, you can skip the rest of this post. If you receive your daily updates via email, you can also skip the rest of this post; you’ve already been moved over, and, except for a new look to the daily email update, you won’t notice any difference and shouldn’t miss any updates.
If, however, you subscribe to the RSS feed, and read updates in a reader such as Google Reader, then please read on.
Historically, I used FeedBurner to provide the site’s feed. Google acquired FeedBurner a few years ago. Many believe that Google will soon shut FeedBurner down. In fact, last week Google shut down one major piece of FeedBurner, with only one day’s notice.
I cannot sit around and wait for Google to do the same with the entire FeedBurner service. So, I’ve migrated the feed from FeedBurner to FeedBlitz. For now, you should not see any interruptions. However, if FeedBurner shuts down, you will stop getting updates unless you re-subscribe to the new feed.
So that you do not miss any updates, please take a moment and re-subscribe to the new feed address: http://www.ohioemployerlawblog.com/feeds/posts/default
I know that a lot of you read my content via RSS. Please know that I’ve done my best to minimize disruptions, and accept my apology in the unlikely event you experience any inconvenience from the change.
This Thursday, May 24, at 3 pm, Molly DiBianica (proprietor of the Delaware Employment Law Blog and tweeter extraordinaire @MollyDiBi) and I will be guests on The Proactive Employer, hosted by Stephanie Thomas.
We will be discussing all things social media for employers, including providing tips on workplace social media policies, offering suggestions on how to ensure employees are using social media safely, and talking about how companies can be be smart about social media.
We will also be taking live questions, both via Twitter with the hashtag #TPE, and via call-in at (866) 472-5790. If you can’t join us live, the episode will also be available for streaming or download.
Molly and I go way back in the blawgosphere. She also contributed the chapter on privacy to my social media book, Think Before You Click, Strategies for Manging Social Media in the Workplace. Please tune in for what should be a very engaging and interesting conversation.
Tomorrow, I’ll be spending my lunch with DriveThruHR, human resource’s #1 daily radio show. You can listen live at 1 pm EDT at www.drivethruhr.com, which will also archive the show for future listening.
I’m looking forward to my half-hour with hosts Bryan Wempen and William Tincup, talking about HR and whatever else keeps me up at night with corporate organizations. Questions or comments during the show? You can call in at (347) 996-5600, or tweet using #dthr or @drivethruhr.
For content, they say that five years is the magic number. For example, after five years, television shows are eligible for syndication. Apparently, the same holds true for employment law blogs, as mine will turn five in a few weeks.
This week, Workforce.com—one of the web’s most distinguished portals for all things human resources (and part of the Crain Communications family)—debuted me as one of its featured bloggers, under the title The Practical Employer.
I’m beyond thrilled, and honored, to join their exclusive club, alongside the likes of Kris Dunn, Ann Bares, and Fistful of Talent.
Thanks to Kris Dunn for introducing (and recommending) me to the Workforce people. Thanks also to the staff at Workforce.com, who’ve been great to work with while they got my micro-site up and running.
Never fear. The Ohio Employer’s Law Blog is not going anywhere. You now just have another way to read my content. Either here, or at Workforce.com, as The Practical Employer.
Tomorrow morning, from 9 – 10 a.m., I’ll be a guest on WCPN’s The Sound of Ideas (the “best radio show” in Ohio, according to The Cleveland Press Club). I’ll be discussing workplace social media and labor/employment law. One of the other guests will be Lafe Solomon, General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board, so it should be an interesting and spirited conversation.
You can listen/watch live at www.ideastream.org/soi. Following the live show, a recording will be available at iTunes and from The Ohio Channel.
The phone numbers, should you want to call with a question or comment during the show, are 216-578-0903 or 866-578-0903.
LexisNexis has released the final nominees for its list of the Top 25 Labor & Employment Blogs, and I am honored and humbled to announce my inclusion. The criteria for inclusion:
The honored blogs contain a wealth of information for employment and labor law practitioners, with timely news items, practical information, expert analysis, tips, frequent postings, and helpful links to other sites.
If you are so inclined, polls are open until September 30 for you to vote for the Top Labor and Employment Law Blog of the Year. If you’re not registered with LexisNexis, this link will allow you to create a free registration or to use your sign-in credentials from your favorite social media site (they promise no sales calls). You can then follow this link to vote.
Thanks to all who nominated me and to all who will vote, whether it's for my blog or those of the 24 other worthy nominees, many of whom I have gotten know over the years and consider friends. It’s an honor to be included in your company.
I am pleased to announce that LexisNexis has honored me by naming the Ohio Employer’s Law Blog to its list of nominees for the Top 25 Labor and Employment Law Blogs:
Each year, LexisNexis honors a select group of blogs that set the online standard for a given industry. This year, we’ve expanded Top Blogs to our Labor and Employment Law Community. We’ve been fortunate to host the content of a number of distinguished legal professionals who have shared their insights and expertise with our Community, and through the process of seeking what we consider to be “top blogs,” we have discovered many more.
Here’s where the hard part comes in. LexisNexis is asking for your help to whittle the initial list of 59 down to the final list of the top 25 labor & employment blogs. If you have something nice to say about my blog, or any of the other deserving nominees (including my six contributors to Think Before You Click…), please take a minutes to submit your comments to LexisNexis. LexisNexis will consider all comments submitted through September 12 in compiling its top 25 list. At that point, LexisNexis will open the top 25 to voting to select the Top Labor and Employment Blog of the Year.
Thank you, LexisNexis, for including me. And, thank you to any of my readers who take the time to drop LexisNexis a note on my behalf. And, lastly, thanks too to anyone who has taken the time to nominate my blog to the 2011 ABA Blawg 100.
Written by Jon Hyman, a partner in the Labor & Employment group of Kohrman Jackson & Krantz. For more information, contact Jon at (216) 736-7226 or jth@kjk.com.
