Should you allow employees to shop online from work?

Today is Cyber Monday, the day online retailers promote their (alleged) deepest holiday discounts. It is estimated that more than 125 million Americans will take advantage of these sales and shop online today. And, many, if not most, of them will do so from work.

The latest available numbers suggest that more and more companies are allowing employees to shop online from work. As of 2014, 27% of employers permit unrestricted access to employees shopping online while at work, up from 16% in 2013 and 10% and 2012. Meanwhile, 42% allow online shopping but monitor for excessive use, while 30% block access to online shopping sites. Similar data is not yet available for 2015, but one can assume that these numbers have continued to trend towards greater access for employees.

Yet, just because companies allow a practice to occur does not mean it makes good business sense. Should you turn a blind eye towards you employees’ online shopping habits, not just today, but across the board? Or, should you permit more open access?

Everything you want to know about employee holiday pay (but are afraid to ask)

Yesterday I said that I’d be back next week, but then I checked the analytics for my site and noticed a huge spike for a post that digs deep into the archives: 8 things you need to know about holiday pay.

So, since tomorrow is Turkey Day, with most businesses closed, the magic of a quick cut-and-paste brings you everything you wanted to know about holiday pay for your employees.

For those of you who have Thursday and Friday off, enjoy your holiday weekend. Eat, drink, shop, be merry, and, most of all, enjoy your families and be thankful for all that you have.

Announcing my induction to the Blawg 100 Hall of Fame

Most people assume that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame indicated seminal acts such as the Rolling Stones as part of the museum’s inaugural class. Those assumptions are wrong. The Stones did not earn their enshrinement until 1989, in the Hall’s fourth year.

I guess I’m the Rolling Stones of legal bloggers. Yesterday, the ABA Journal inducted me into its Blawg 100 Hall of Fame, in the fourth year the magazine has bestowed such an honor. It also marks my sixth consecutive (and last) honor in the Blawg 100. As a Hall of Famer, I’m required to stand aside for future Blawg 100 lists to make room for new blood.

One early unexpected result from the NLRB’s ambush election rules

The first six months of the NLRB’s ambush election rules have resulted in one expected result and one unexpected result.

On the expected front, the median time from the filing of a representation petition to the holding of an election has dropped nearly 40 percent, from 38 days to 23 days.

What is the unexpected result?

WIRTW #391 (the “headliner” edition)

In my never-ending quest to turn my legal blog into a promotional blog for my daughter’s nascent music career, I bring you the debut performance of this year’s School of Rock Jr. Headliners — Sunday, December 6, from 4 to 8 pm, at Coda (a new, and supposed very cool, music venue owned by Cleveland chef and restaurateur Dante Boccuzzi).

For the uninitiated, the Jr. Headliners is SoR’s audition-only band for kids 8th grade and under (there is another Headliner band for high schoolers, which will also be on the bill). Norah earned her spot on her vocal chops.

Here’s a tease from the band’s “preview” performance at SoR’s annual Halloween bash — Jet’s Are You Gonna Be My Girl.

My standing offer is still good. If you’re at the gig, say hi, and mention the blog, your next drink of choice is on me.

Here’s the rest of what I read this week:

New workplace app raises old issues

At the beginning of 2015, I reported on the launch of a new app — Memo — which allowed employees to post anonymous comments or complaints about their workplaces. Microsoft has now joined the fray of workplace griping apps with one of its own, called Forum.

According to the app’s description, it “lets ideas thrive, facilitates open dialogue within organizations, and enables employees to freely express themselves.” More importantly, unlike Memo, Forum appears to be non-anonymous. From iMore: “Forum has apparently been designed primarily for businesses to give their employees a chance to speak their minds and connect with their fellow workers and executives.”
 

The cost to defend a discrimination lawsuit (and can you do anything about it)

Two and a half years ago I asked, How much does it cost to defend an employment lawsuit? My answer:

The reality is that defending a discrimination or other employment lawsuit is expensive. Defending a case through discovery and a ruling on a motion for summary judgment can cost an employer between $75,000 and $125,000.

Oh, how I love to be right.