A federal district judge has ruled that a New Jersey man was not unlawfully fired by his employer after he used his intermittent Family and Medical Leave Act leave to attend a professional football game. The court rejected Michael Pizarro's claim that the firing was an act of retaliation, stating the FMLA leave had been granted 17 years earlier and the company always had permitted it without argument.

Employers rate cultural fit as high as achievements or critical job skills, according to a study on how communication abilities affect promotions. The research found that hiring managers can quickly perceive socioeconomic status from speech patterns and judge applicants before knowing their qualifications.

Successfully coaching leaders requires understanding the context of an organization, particularly during times of business transition, says Robert Barner, a talent development consultant. Understanding the context allows coaches to adjust their training tactics and guide their learners properly, Barner says.

Starbucks is expanding its mental health benefits for employees and their families with access to 20 therapy sessions per year. The program, which is through mental health provider Lyra Health, will be available to all employees, not just full-time workers.

Pause and think clearly to plan how your business can manage risk in the coronavirus pandemic, says Mike Droke, a labor and employment lawyer. Droke and risk-management consultant Sharon Scharf offer tips, including a review of sick-leave policies; clear, frequent communication; and what to do if an employee or client has COVID-19.

Public relations executives can put employees and clients at ease if they draft operational plans for the next 30 to 45 days with assurances that business will continue, without overpromising any deliverables, writes Dorothy Crenshaw. Make sure messaging is frequent and consistent across all media, direct individuals to trustworthy information sources, maintain routines and review "leadership content for relevance and tone to make sure it's appropriate in this news cycle," Crenshaw advises.