Whistleblowers take a considerable risk when they speak up about wrongdoing. Some issues may drag on for months or years before an employee calls attention to them. If your company has never received a complaint from a whistleblower, it may only be a matter of time before you will need to handle unfavorable allegations that
Colorado became the first state to legalize the use of recreational cannabis in 2012 with the passage of Amendment 64. The law aims to regulate marijuana in ways that are similar to the regulation of alcohol. It permits adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana at any time, give up
In 2017, two employees of a non-profit organization that helps the homeless in Colorado filed lawsuits against their employer on the basis of discrimination. A case manager who had been with the company from 2006-2017 had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD after her former fiance assaulted her. While taking care of her mental health,
As an employer, you may be inclined to fire an employee for poor performance. But, if they disclose a medical condition, it’s reasonable to consider ways to help them do their job better. Under federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act, employers with medical conditions are
Your employee handbook should be something you’re proud to hand new employees on their first day of work. A well-written handbook takes into account your most important company policies and lays them out in an accessible format. Your handbook should be the personification of your company, giving employees the information they need to be effective
The United States is the only modern economy that doesn’t require employers to provide paid time off (PTO). In Colorado, employers don’t need to offer vacation and employees do not have a right to paid time off; however, employers often choose to offer PTO to be competitive in their industry and attract and keep talented
As an at-will employment state, Colorado employers and employees may terminate the working relationship at any time and for any reason, except a discriminatory reason or one prohibited by Federal or State law, or none at all. This rule allows employers and employees to respond quickly to changes in the relationship and gives employers the
Few employers would consider their handbooks literary masterpieces, but they don’t have to be to capture employees’ interest. Company handbooks are often considered dry, dull, or monotonous, and sometimes they’re obviously full of policies enacted to avoid past issues in the workplace. With a few tweaks, you can create a compelling handbook that employees will
The life of an entrepreneur is full of excitement and risk. While it’s not for everyone, focused and creative individuals are particularly drawn to the freedom that entrepreneurship provides for them to apply their talents without the restraints of a rigid professional environment. Anyone who dreams of leaving their 9-5 routine in a gloomy cubicle
As a business owner, it’s imperative to follow state and federal employment laws when executing all business operations, including throughout all stages of hiring — from conducting fresh interviews to layoffs. Discrimination is just one of many illegal practices the law doesn’t tolerate, so it’s important to understand what it looks like and how to
