Stand by Me: Bystander Intervention Comes to Corporate America

In the wake of the #MeToo movement and the flood of new sexual harassment laws, I wanted to take a moment and discuss one of the newest methods for fighting sexual harassment that government agencies are now ordering employers to train employees on in the workplace: Bystander Intervention. It started at Colleges & Universities a…

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Self-Incrimination vs. File-Encryption: Digital Forensics and the Death of the 5th Amendment

Self-Incrimination vs. File-Encryption: Digital Forensics and the Death of the 5th Amendment
Hacking the Constitution

In January 2012, U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn ruled that a defendant in a digital forensics criminal case must turn over the unencrypted contents of her currently encrypted laptop. The defendant, Ramona Fricosu of Colorado, is charged with bank fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and providing false statements to financial institutions in connection with her…

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Private, Off-Duty Use of Medical Marijuana Not Protected

The Colorado Supreme Court has delivered an important ruling on the issue of medical marijuana that is sure to be used immediately as case law across the U.S.  The topic is very important because it clarifies one of the most confusing aspects about the employment of medical marijuana users.  In essence, medical marijuana is legal…

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Undercover Boss: Where Reality TV Intersects with the Workplace

Undercover Boss, is a reality television series that places the CEO’s or Presidents of businesses in entry-level positions to work alongside unwary lower-level employees.  Usually, the CEO’s of large businesses are so far up the chain of command, they lack exposure to the day-to-day activities of the employees who drive their companies’ profitability. The show,…

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New Threat to Employers: the Professional Applicant

According to Patricia Kotze, president of Diversified Risk Management, Inc. (DRM), there is a new threat to employers and their Human Resources departments: the “Professional Applicant.” “This is a person who applies for a position with a company but has no intention of sticking around to be a productive employee,” says Ms. Kotze. “Instead, their…

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Going Undercover an “Incredible Opportunity” for one CEO

Going Undercover an “Incredible Opportunity” for one CEO
CEO of global disaster-recovery firm Belfor was featured on Undercover Boss, hanging drywall and crawling under homes incognito.

Belfour Holdings CEO Sheldon Yellen was recently interviewed regarding his experience on the show Undercover Boss. Yellen worked alongside low-level workers removing soot, hanging dry wall and crawling underneath homes. Mr. Yellen recognized that working in the trenches helped him to better understand his company’s needs and the importance of getting unadulterated feedback from his…

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“Professional Applicants” are an Emerging Threat to Businesses

By Rory Montez and Patricia Kotze Since the economic downturn of 2007, many Americans have dealt with decreased wages, less chances for pay increases, and being asked by employers to “do more with less.” A recent report from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors indicates under-employment is rampant.  The report includes figures from the Census…

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Employee & Witness Interviews

Investigative Interviews As an employer, you need a solid basis for taking action and defending yourself against claims of inaction and unfair treatment.   Or perhaps you need assistance because an employee has made a sexual harassment complaint. The objective of any workplace investigation is to gather the facts so you can make an informed decision.…

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