The Top 100 Employment Law Blogs is back and updated for 2009. Ok, so it’s the Top 110 this year. There were just too many great blogs that 100 wouldn’t do the trick. The list, of course, is totally subjective and based only on my personal opinion. One criteria that I did use this year, though, was a most-recent-post criteria. Blogs that hadn’t posted more recently than September weren’t eligible for the list. If you write a blog that addresses with employment-law issues and I’ve missed it, please let us know by posting a comment.
[Updated Nov. 13] Alterted by their comments and duly impressed with their sites, I'm going to add two more to the list--really, what difference will 2 more make, we've already got 110.
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I give a lot of presentations. And I take them seriously. Which may explain why my slides often get noticed as being “different” than many of the other presentations my clients see. I subscribe to the style of presenting advocated by Cliff Atkinson, known as Beyond Bullet Points. Nancy Duarte and Garr Reynolds are two other visionaries in the field of visual communication who lead by example. In short, the principle theory behind my slide design is to present only one idea per slide and to present it with images instead of words. And, while I could go on for many posts about the topic of effective presenting skills but I’ll save that for another day. Instead, I’ll refrain from the evangelical sermon and, instead, offer a tiny bit of practical help. One of the bigger stumbling blocks involved in this type of presenting is where to get the graphics you’ll use instead of words on your slides. There really are an unlimited number of ways to create images for this purpose. Of course, you can simply purchase them from stock photo sites. I use Shutterstock to buy images and buy a one-month subscription to save on the cost. You also can surf the web to find images. Google Images works great for this and so does Bing’s image search. But beware of “borrowing” images—just because they’re available online does not mean that they’re publicly available. You must determine if you're lawfully able to use the pictures that you find. Dave Paradi recently listed 10 excellent government sites that offer bunches of beautiful photographs for free! One seriously underestimated tool is PowerPoint. I use it constantly to create my own images—everything from simple stick-figure drawings to more substantial 3d graphics. If you don’t believe that this is possible for mere mortals (i.e., non-designers), just have a look at the wonderfully instructive blog, Slides that Stick for some excellent tutorials. You may be amazed! One of the greatest resources, though, is right at your fingertips—or, even better, they are your fingertips! Pick up a pen and start drawing. Don’t be “fancy”—really, it’s best if you just avoid even attempting anything that will look even close to “artistic.” Just stick with the basics. You’d be surprised at how well you can communicate using those same skills that you picked up as a toddler. Need inspiration? Check out Dan Roam, who just won the World’s Best Presentation Contest at Slideshare.net—using, you guessed it, simple marker drawings!
Have you ever wanted to carry the entire Delaware code in your pocket? Have there been times you’d wished you’d had Title 19, Delaware’s labor statutes available when you’re not at your computer or near a law library? Well, if you are the owner of an Apple iPhone, now you can. The entire Delaware code is now available as an app via the iTunes store for just $19.95. That’s insanely inexpensive compared to the price of the multi-volume book set you’d have to buy to get the Code in print. The app gives users access to the full Code in a searchable format, making it easy to find that obscure cite in a flash. Of course, law firms have been very reluctant to the adaptation of the iPhone, so many lawyers who have iPhones also have to lug around a Blackberry to check their work e-mails. Still, a Blackberry is substantially less bulky than a couple of shelves worth of hard-bound legal books. Oh, what will technology give us lawyers next? In case you’re not yet an iPhone user, you can always search the Delaware Code for free online, made available on the State of Delaware’s website.
The U.S. Supreme Court has taken another step towards “digital enlightenment.” The Court’s website now includes links to pdf files containing the United States Reports, volumes 502 and later. The U.S. Reports contain the final and official version of the Court’s decisions, typically three to five volumes per Term. Each volume is between 800 and 1,200 pages long, making each pdf file very large. Large, but packed with valuable information, including, according the Court’s site: In addition to all of the opinions issued during a particular period, a volume may contain a roster of Justices and Court officers during that period; an allotment of Justices by Federal Circuit; announcements of Justices' investitures and retirements; memorial proceedings for deceased Justices; a cumulative table of cases reported; orders in cases decided in summary fashion; reprints of amendments to the Supreme Court's Rules and the various sets of Federal Rules of Procedure; a topical index; and a statistical table summarizing case activity for the past three Court Terms. For those who are familiar with Adobe’s Acrobat can create a tremendous resource for themselves by saving these files locally and creating an electronic index for super-quick searches later. This appears to be yet another mile marker in the road to more easily accessible legal references.
Yesterday, I posted my thoughts on typos in cover letters and resumes. Although I am in the camp of thinkers who believe that resume mistakes are big red flags, I also believe that we are keepers of our own destinies. So, instead of complaining about the lack of proofreading and editing skills, I’ll point you to a great article on this very same topic. Lisa A. Mazzie has an outstanding article, titled, Be Wise: Revise, posted at the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Wisconsin Lawyer. The article includes a Sample Revision Checklist,which is on the simple side but an excellent way to make sure your writing hasn’t lost its focus—especially as that filing deadline approaches. The checklist is a great reference for new associates starting this fall. [H/T to Legal Writing Prof Blog] And if you really want to improve your writing skills, the blogosphere contains a jackpot of resources. Start with our list of The Top 30 Blogs on Writing.
HR Superstar, John Ingham, (as in John Ingham's Strategic HCM Blog), has alerted his readers to another helpful search tool. (In case you missed it, yesterday I posted about 3 new ways to search online). And this tool is specific to Human Resource professionals. As per his post, Halogen Software has a widget that enables users to search across not only Google and Bing, but also across a variety of HR blogs, as well. First check out John's blog and then check out the new HR Search tool!
Technology can help to make us more productive. I’m a big fan of technology, so long as it’s free, integrates easily into my current set up, and requires no training to use! All easy requests, right? As it turns out, there are three new options that actually fit that bill. Each of them are new ways to search the Internet. If you haven’t given them a whirl, you should give them a try. After all, who couldn’t use the efficiency boost? Here’s a quick rundown: The first on the list is a brand new search option. Microsoft has introduced its new search engine, Bing, which Microsoft hopes will be in real competition with Google. Google introduced a new feature of its own--Google Squared, which is the second item on my list of three. Whereas Google Search returns search results in a linear list, Google Squared returns search results in a matrix designed for comparison. Unlike Microsoft’s new option, Google Squared isn’t a brand-new option, but it is a new twist on a classic. The third new search option is my favorite. Spezify is a visual search engine that searches not only the Internet but also returns results from Twitter and social-networking sites, such as Facebook and LinkedIn. It even returns images. And results are displayed in small, colored text boxes. Additionally, it displays what it’s determined are “related words” (i.e., related to your search terms). Pictured below are the results from a search for “harassment training.” Don’t know what to search for? Try your name and see what comes up. You may be surprised—especially what images are returned! 
Swine Flu is a concern for many employers right now. Employers want to provide employees with up-to-date information about the steps that can be taken to prevent the spread of the swine flu. Employers also want to prevent the spread of panic where not warranted. We posted previously with resources for employers. There is a new resource from the EEOC and it takes a different and important approach. The EEOC's new guidance addresses how employers should manage ADA concerns as they may arise in the context of the swine flu. The fact sheet, ADA-Compliant Employer Preparedness For the H1N1 Flu Virus, raises some excellent points. My favorite is an issue has already come up with several of my clients--what to do if you are concerned about an employee's exposure to the swine flu. For example, an employee returns from a business trip to Mexico, where he's been for several weeks. Can you require that he not return to work until he gets tested for the H1N1 flu virus? Can you require him to work at home or telecommute until the issue can be resolved? Here's what the EEOC has to say: May an employer require entering employees to have a medical test post-offer to determine their exposure to the influenza virus? Yes, in limited circumstances. The ADA permits an employer to require entering employees to undergo a medical examination after making a conditional offer of employment but before the individual starts work, if all entering employees in the same job category must undergo such an examination. Example A: An employer in the international shipping industry implements its pandemic influenza preparedness plan when the WHO and the CDC confirm that a new influenza virus, to which people are not immune, is infecting large numbers of people in multiple countries. Because the employer gives these medical tests post-offer to all entering employees in the same job categories, the examinations are ADA-compliant. For additional resources, see: Information for Employers on the Swine Flu
A perennial favorite at the ABA TechShow is a one-hour segment titled, 60 Sites in 60 Minutes. During the presentation, the speakers present 60 of the latest and greatest sites on the Internet. There are sites dedicated to improving your legal practice and your productivity in general. There are also some wacky websites that fit into the "just-for-fun" category. Despite the name, there are over 100 websites listed on the ABA Techshow's site. The list included some of my favorite sites that I use regularly. Here are a few: Staying Up to Date 1. To keep tabs on all the best legal blogs, nothing beats Alltop (Law). Alltop has blog listings for nearly every topic under the sun, including topics of interest to employers, from Careers, to eLearning, to HR, to Corporate Responsibility, to Electronic Discovery. 2. TechnoLawyer BlawgWorld Newsletter (www.technolawyer.com) is my favorite e-newsletter for keeping up to date with everything technology-related relevant to legal practice. Technology Tools 1. File Genius (www.filegenius.com) enables users to transfer large files securely. 2. SlideShare (www.slideshare.net) is an invaluable tool for anyone who presents to an audience. For free, you can upload and share your PowerPoint presentations and Word documents and then share them, either by invite, or with the world at large. Add audio and you've got an instant webinar. It's also a great resource for inspiration when you've got presenters-block. Marketing With Ease Constant Contact (www.constantcontact.com) is an easy-to-use, subscription-based, e-mail marketing program. Because Nothing Beats a Little Competition Typeracer (www.typeracer.com) allows you to "race" online opponents in a battle of the keyboards. A word of warning, typing as fast as you can type may be a little addictive for those with a competitive spirit. I raced three times and, each time, finished at 73 wpm. Although I was pretty happy with the score, it's paltry when compared to some of the fastest keyists, who can type more than 160 wpm!
Delaware has four confirmed cases of swine flu. Employers who operate near the University of Delaware, where the cases were reported, may get questions from concerned employees. Even employers who do not operate in or around the Newark campus may see the wisdom in being proactive in helping their employees take measures to avoid the swine flu. The go-to web site for employers is PandemicFlu.gov, which provides the latest information from the U.S. government about the disease, where it has been reported, and how to plan and prepare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), issued a Swine Flu fact sheet directed towards parents and caregivers. The fact sheet is a great starting point for reliable information that can be provided to employees about the swine flu. The CDC has other helpful resources, as well, including a printable poster on Stopping the Spread of Germs at Work. JAN, the Job Accommodation Network, also has published a fact sheet on the swine flu. This one is designed to assist employers in considering the needs of disabilities during a pandemic flu outbreak. Employers may consider posting or circulating the fact sheets to employees and/or management in an effort to prepare for a possible pandemic.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), has released two new resources on the employment of persons with disabilities. Comprehensive Reference for the Employment of Persons with Disabilities To meet the need for a comprehensive, portable, and easy-to-understand guide for employers who are looking to recruit, hire, and retain employees with disabilities, ODEP just released its new Four-Step Reference Guide. The online version of this valuable resource covers topics such as Incentives & ROI, Recruiting, Interviewing & Hiring, and much more. And be sure not to miss the last three pages, which contain a wealth of links and other resources for employers. Diversifying Your Workforce, A Four-Step Reference Guide to Recruiting, Hiring & Retaining Employees with Disabilities is available now online and will be available later this year in print. Employers' Use of Accessible Technology to Improve Employment for People With Disabilities The second resource is a follow up to last year's Roadmaps for Enhancing Employment of Persons with Disabilities Through Accessible Technology (Roadmaps I). Roadmaps I affirmed current successful business policies and practices and identified new strategic policies and practices. The Roadmap for the business community identifies the actionable steps that can be taken by the business community to facilitate the widespread adoption of these policies and practices by businesses. Roadmaps I was released on January 31, 2008. Roadmaps II provides an overview of federally funded accessible-technology (AT), programs; a summary of some of the barriers that affect the use of AT by individuals with disabilities; and recommendations to increase the employment of individuals with disabilities though AT. The report was launched in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the 2009 Annual Conference of AT-Act Programs on April 21. Related resources: Two New Employment-Outreach Programs from the ODEP Honoring Veterans By Supporting Their Reemployment Efforts National Disability Employment Awareness Month
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