(The following content is excerpted from The Management Map) Before you can be awarded a driver’s license, you typically practice driving and study many traffic laws. There are also a considerable amount of employment laws but when you promote your managers, they don’t apply for a management license that requires practice, and a test.
The various federal employment laws read like alphabet soup: ADA, ADEA, FMLA, OSHA, and COBRA, etc. In addition to federal laws, your state has employment laws and if your company does business globally, it may also be impacted by laws in other countries.
Managers are the company in the eyes of the law. Companies are liable for the negligent actions of its managers when acting in the course of their responsibilities. How managers respond to employee situations is critical because they are acting on behalf of your company.
Your managers may not have a License to Manage but they can learn a few basic concepts to improve their managerial effectiveness and employment law awareness:
- Be alert to situations that may involve employment laws.Managers need to be proactive in monitoring the work area and not just wait for a complaint.
- Base decisions on specific business reasons.Managers need to keep the thought “Am I representing my company in a professional, non-discriminatory manner?” uppermost in their mind.
- Do not retaliate against employees who voice complaints.Whether or not you agree with their complaints, team members still deserve continued professional respect.
- Control your emotions before speaking and acting.� It is better to maintain a calm, professional state of mind when dealing with workplace situations.
- Seek advice. Coaching by the human resources department is important for managers on employment law issues.
- Document clearly and concisely without discriminatory words. Check all your documents to make sure you utilize appropriate language free from discrimination.
An Employment Law for Managers workshop is an excellent way to provide skills and confidence to your managers. To discuss topics for your training plan, contact us at info@ManagementSkillsInc.com or call 972 881-5282.