http://scemploymentlaw.com Helping South Carolina's Consumers & Workers When They Need It Most Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:40:31 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en From HR World comes a handy post, meant for employers but just as informative for job seekers, outlining the questions they can't ask you. Read the whole enchilada here. It never ceases to amaze me how many employers feel they have a right to know incredibly personal information such as that ... http://scemploymentlaw.com/2007/11/29/you-cant-ask-me-that-30-questions-you-should-never-hear-at-the-interview/ If you change diapers, help the elderly or disabled with daily needs, or work in the service industry, you're in one of the 3 job positions most prone to depression, according to a survey conducted by the federal government's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The report is ... http://scemploymentlaw.com/2007/11/05/and-then-depression-set-in-the-most-depressing-jobs-in-america-ranked/ Dan Rather, former CBS anchor, has sued his former employer for $70 million in a breach of contract action that claims CBS wrongfully forced him out and harmed his reputation. If you aren't familiar with the story behind his ouster, here's a pretty good recap from The Times (London) Online: ... http://scemploymentlaw.com/2007/09/20/dan-rathers-70-million-law-suit-and-why-he-wont-win/ At CareerBuilder.com, a recent article (cross-posted here at CNN.com) asks you if you're committing "Seven Deadly Workplace Sins." They're the same ones you're probably familiar with - pride, gluttony, lust, etc. - but applied to the workplace and office politics. It even offers a bit of "salvation" - practical advice ... http://scemploymentlaw.com/2007/09/19/dont-sin-at-work-seven-deadly-sins-of-employment/ My good friend Leanna Hamill, an estate planning attorney from Massachusetts, has written an excellent post that, while having little to do with employment law, is something I think everyone should read. Leanna points out that as more and more of us live in a paper-less (if not quite paperless) ... http://scemploymentlaw.com/2007/09/14/were-living-in-a-paperless-world-but-what-happens-when-the-unthinkable-occurs/ So says Penelope Trunk, aka "The Brazen Careerist" in this excellent post. I found #2 - "Stay the most focused when things look the most difficult" - to be exquisitely helpful (not to mention timely). Launching your own solo practice is hard work, there's no question, and things can be ... http://scemploymentlaw.com/2007/07/25/tired-of-waiting-for-your-promotion-promote-yourself/ As this article from CareerBuilder.com (via CNN) clearly shows, there are multiple downsides to the repetitive long hours many self-confessed workaholics put in regularly. Rachel Weingarten, the marketing consultant profiled in the piece, seems like a poster child for the evils of workaholism. She says it's been "over eight years" ... http://scemploymentlaw.com/2007/07/23/workaholic-careful-it-might-backfire-on-you/ Here's a list of 20 tips that might help you keep the boss happy. I especially like these two: Understand how you'll be evaluated. That includes not only formal evaluation procedures but also your boss's more informal expectations. Project positive energy. That's a no-brainer in my book, but I'm constantly surprised how ... http://scemploymentlaw.com/2007/07/02/want-to-impress-your-boss-cnn-has-some-tips/ Let me say up front I believe in the right to represent oneself in court. It's called pro se. But while proceeding pro se might be your right, I think it's a dangerous idea, and here's why (PDF): Jimmie Reaves sued his employer alleging employment discrimination under Title VII. He ... http://scemploymentlaw.com/2007/06/25/why-you-need-a-lawyer-for-an-employment-case/ Cynthia Haddad was employed by Wal-Mart as a pharmacist for 11 years - and was then fired in 2004. She brought suit against the monster company alleging she was terminated as a result of gender discrimination, prohibited under federal law (Title VII) and many state legislative schemes as well. On ... http://scemploymentlaw.com/2007/06/21/walmart-on-the-losing-end-of-massachusetts-lawsuit/