Page 29 - BOSS Today Issue 13

HR

A rash of recent court cases, all of which have some and others saying they are a threat to the right to work.
relevance to anyone working in office supplies, means we Whatever your view, a case we go over this month shows
have devoted all of our Down to Business section for this that you need to tread very carefully when you are trying
edition to HR issues. to force a former employee to abide by a covenant.
And what a varied lot of issues there are. A good The idea that you can bully them into submission is not
example is restrictive covenants, or clauses employers put one we would advocate.
into contracts restricting who a departing employee can Finally, there is the whole question of overtime – what
work for for a limited period of time after they leave. is it, how do you count it, and who is entitled to it?
These have been another thorny issue in recent years, Our final case explains why you need to have all such
with some saying they are vital to prevent a company’s questions thrashed out before you start expecting your
interests being leaked away by one disgruntled employee, staff to work extra hours for you.

HR
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Overtime
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July/August 2012 | BOSS TODAY 29

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