New on XpertHR This Week - 6/18/2012

XpertHR is headed to Atlanta for the 2012 SHRM Conference. But getting ready for the conference has not slowed XpertHR's editors down one bit. This week, they completed two new states and added 20 FAQs, two How Tos, five FMLA letters, a New Hire Reporting Form and a task.

Two New States Completed

We've completed our comprehensive new compliance information for two more states!

Those "states" are:

1. Iowa; and
2. District of Columbia.

This brings the number of states completed for our subscribers to 25.

Our authors and editors are diligently working on the remaining states! We'll be releasing 8 more states this month and the remaining states will be released in July (bringing us to 51 "states", including the District of Columbia).

Managing Transgender and Cross Dressing Employees

If HR professionals are talking about it, so is XpertHR. Managing transgender and cross dressing employees is currently one of the hottest topics in HR. To help subscribers stay up-to-date on this rapidly evolving issue we have added a task - Address Issues With Transgender or Cross Dressing Employees - and the following FAQs:

• What is the difference between sex and gender?
• What is gender identity?
• What is gender expression?
• Is gender identity related to sexual orientation?
• What is the difference between transgender and transsexual?
• What is a transvestite or crossdresser?
• What does intersex mean?
• Does federal law prohibit discrimination against based on gender identity, gender expression, transgender status or sexual orientation?
• Should an employer prohibit discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression, transgender status or sexual orientation?
• Should discrimination and harassment training address transgender status, gender identity and gender expression?
• Is a transgender or transitioning employee required to comply with the employer's dress code?
• How should an employer handle an employee who is transitioning to a new gender?
• How should an employer handle restrooms for a transgender employee?

FMLA Sample Letters Added

Last week, XpertHR promised to bring subscribers some additional FMLA forms. This week, we've added the following:

• Letter requesting additional information for military exigency leave under the FMLA;
• Letter Requesting Recertification of an Employee's a Serious Health Condition under the FMLA;
• Letter Requesting Recertification of a Serious Health Condition of an Employee's Family Member; and
• Letter Requesting a Second (and/or Third) Medical Opinion for an Employee's Serious Health Condition Under the FMLA.

Other Forms, FAQs and How Tos Added

We've also added:

• A New Hire Reporting Form;
• Five FAQs on social media;
• An FAQ on docking a salaried employee's pay;
• An FAQ on sorting through online job applications using questionnaires or computer software;
• A How To addressing new hire reporting to a state directory of new hires; and
• A How To addressing employers' use of social media in recruiting.

If you will be in Atlanta for the SHRM Conference, visit us at booth 318 to find out what XpertHR will add in the weeks to come. Otherwise, check back here for weekly updates.