HR Newswire
Putting a Face to a Name: The Art of Motivating Employees. - ELINFONET.com - February 19, 2010
Could a simple five-minute interaction with another person dramatically increase your weekly productivity?In some employment environments, the answer is yes, according to Wharton management professor Adam Grant. Grant has devoted significant chunks of his professional career to examining what motivates workers in settings that range from call centers and mail-order pharmacies to swimming pool lifeguard squads. In all these situations, Grant says, employees who know how their work has a meaningful, positive impact on others are not just happier than those who don't; they are vastly more productive, too.
New FMLA Amendments Create "Exigencies" for EmployersPart Two. - ELINFONET.com - February 19, 2010
This two-part article analyzes the new military family leave provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), as amended in 2008 and again in 2009. The first installment explored the Active Duty Family Leave for employees who experience a qualifying exigency arising out of the fact that a family member has been called to active duty. This second installment analyzes the leave available for an employee to care for a military family member who is injured in the line of duty and, specifically, how this Injured Service Member Leave compares with the traditional FMLA leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition.
Employers May Need to Monitor Compliance of Business Associates with HITECH Act. - ELINFONET.com - February 19, 2010
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is commonly known for its provisions designed to stimulate a flagging economy. However, the Act's Title XIII (known as the "Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act" or "HITECH Act") has another purposeto impose obligations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA") directly on business associates (as defined under HIPAA) with respect to the way they handle certain health-related information in connection with an employer's health plan and to impose civil or criminal penalties for any violations of those obligations. This Alert discusses how business associates are affected by the HITECH Act and what employers should do to monitor the compliance of business associates under the HITECH Act.
Relief From Section 409A for Plan Document Errors Requires Prompt Action. - ELINFONET.com - February 19, 2010
Earlier this year the IRS issued Notice 2010-6, which provides formal guidance for correction of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A plan document errors. Generally, the earlier that the plan document error is corrected under the terms of the Notice, the more likely that adverse Section 409A tax consequences can be mitigated or avoided altogether. In addition, the Notice provides transition relief for certain Section 409A plan document errors that are corrected by December 31, 2010. For many Section 409A plan document errors, the guidance under the Notice effectively extends to December 31, 2010 the original Section 409A documentary compliance deadline of December 31, 2008 mentioned in our prior Cooley Alert. As a result, employers should take steps now to review their compensation arrangements that are subject to Section 409A for compliance with its documentary requirements and take any necessary corrective actions. Adverse tax consequences under Section 409A may include premature taxation, an additional 20% federal income tax (and possibly an additional state tax equivalent, as is the case in California), and an interest-charge tax. As mentioned in our prior Cooley Alert, IRS audits that cover compliance with Section 409A seem a near term certainty.
Childhood Obesity Costs Employers in Health Care, Productivity! - HR.BLR - February 19, 2010
(2/18) Michelle Obama has launched an initiative called ?Let's Move? that aims to reduce childhood obesity. Obama says childhood obesity has reached the level of an epidemic in the United States. Not only does it lead to adult obesity, but children with severe weight problems develop more health issues. For employers, such problems translate into increased costs for employees'family health insurance coverage for both their organization and for their employees through their benefits contributions and co-pays.
If You Knew You Couldn't Fail... - About.com - February 19, 2010
"What would you do if you knew you could not fail?"Robert H. Schuller asks a great question and, in one of the top Vancouver Olympic moments of 2010, Shaun White, snowboarding Halfpipe 2006 gold medalist, asked himself the same question.Then, he dug deep inside of himself and performed as if he knew he could not fail.Earning a 46.8 (out of 50) on his first run, he had earned the gold medal, assuming his challengers scored lower. When all of the contestants had taken their second runs, and Shaun's score continued to earn him the gold medal, he could have walked; danced; done a ceremonial, easy run; or anything he wanted. What did he choose to do?What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? He did a second run that earned him a 48.4 as he riskily tried out some of the newer moves that are defining his sport. What did Shaun do when he knew he couldn't fail? He pushed himself to do even more. According to Olympics Fanhouse: "He exploded out of the chute, zipped up the massive structure, going higher, higher, and absurdly even higher, twisting sideways, slantways, and then here it came, the beyond dangerous, spiral Double McTwist 1260 he invented earlier this winter on the private halfpipe Red Bull built him. He has said it's the hardest trick he's ever done, a double-flipping, 3.5-spinning extravaganza that winds him into a human pretzel... 'I wanted a victory lap that would be remembered,' White said. 'I achieved that.'"Each of the Olympic medal winners like Shaun, and Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso in downhill skiing, and Evan Lysacek in Figure Skating, dedicated years of practice and devotion to achieve top performance in their sports. Can you emulate them in your own work?Questions for Work SuccessIn the midst of the 2010 winter Olympics, here are questions that each of you might want to consider. Your answers say a lot about who you are, how you work, how you get along with other work players, and they highlight our methods, innovations and contributions on the playing field.What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?How many years are you willing to invest to achieve the goal?Are you a follower or does your work define your game or industry?Do you play well with othersso team mates are happy when you win? (If not me - you.)Find more Olympics coverageand the schedule.Image Copyright Getty ImagesIf You Knew You Couldn't Fail...originally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Thursday, February 18th, 2010 at 18:32:57.Permalink| Comment| Email this
How to deal with employees on adoption leave, or who are adopting a child, in a redundancy situation - The Industry Radar - February 19, 2010
This article from the XpertHR "how to" section looks at the duties that employers have towards employees on adoption leave, or who are in the process of adopting a child, in a redundancy situation, including the duty to offer them any suitable alternative employment and to carry out effective consultation with them. The article also covers the practicalities relating to the payment of statutory adoption pay, statutory redundancy pay, and pay during the notice period.
Executive Compensation: More Regulation, or Just More Transparency? - The Industry Radar - February 19, 2010
The question of whether CEOs of America's major companies are overpaid has been a subject of interest for many years. Are the compensation practices for these elite men and women fair and appropriate? Do these compensation practices provide proper incentives, or do they reward excessive caution or risk taking? Wharton accounting professors John Core and Wayne Guay have just completed a study on this topic. Guay, along with colleague Chris Armstrong, sat down with Knowledge@Wharton to discuss executive compensation and the controversies that it continues to generate.
Putting Perspective into the Challenge of Focus #management - The Industry Radar - February 19, 2010
I have not posted recently because I have been preoccupied by business travel problems - I have never had so many cancellations, reroutes, and travel delays. Sleep deprivation, bad food and missed meals, hours away from my computer, hotel rooms...
Work 'worth getting out of bed for' - Globe and Mail - The Industry Radar - February 19, 2010
Work 'worth getting out of bed for' Globe and Mail (Wind is the brand name under which Globalive Wireless Management Corp. is selling its wireless services in Canada .) From a human resources standpoint, ... and more »
Proposed EEOC Rule on ADEA Defenses - The Industry Radar - February 19, 2010
Based on the Supreme Court ADEA decisions in Smith v. Jackson, 544 U.S. 228 (2005), and Meacham v. Knolls Atomic Power Lab., 128 S.Ct. 2395 (2008), the EEOC will release today a proposed rule defining the “reasonable factor other than...
What's Love Got to Do With It? - About.com - February 12, 2010
What's love got to do with it? Quite a lot, actually. If a couple is genuinely serious about dating and building a relationship, popular opinion is often favorable. After all, where can you meet that special someone anymore? On the other hand, if a nefarious reason drives the relationship, fellow employees feel quite differently.I'm frequently asked what I think about employees dating each other at work. Recognizing that dating does have an impact on issues such as workplace morale and productivity, I'd be hard pressed to say that employee relationships have no impact. At the same time, unless one of the employees reports to the second employee, I am a strong advocate of keeping employment and the employer outside of employees' personal lives.Recognizing that work is one of the best places to meet an already vetted pool of people to date, some employers are approaching the situation creatively. As an example, what do you think about a love policyfor your workplace? Barring such a formal approach, use the ideas in today's lead article. They'll help the dating couple succeed at work. The HR staff will gratefully acknowledge the maturity exhibited in situations where tensions can run deep.All this said, as an employee, your participation in some romantic relationships at work such as a dalliance, an affair, or a quid pro quo arrangement, can impact your work environment's view of your competency, common sense, and appropriate decision making. Despite any protests about this impact from coworkers, reactions generally range from, "what was he thinking,"to sympathy for a wronged spouse, to a general questioning of the individual's maturity, judgement, and trustworthiness.Use these tips about dating, sex, and romancein the office to lay the foundation for a successful career and successful relationships.Image Copyright Susan StewartAll Topics| Most Popular| Newsletter| HR ForumWhat's Love Got to Do With It?originally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 11:11:44.Permalink| Comment| Email this
Gay-friendly workplaces boost health and productivity - The Industry Radar - February 12, 2010
Fear of social exclusion and discrimination force many employees to hide their sexual orientation in the workplace, often leading to anxiety and depression, according to Dawn Hough from Pride in Diversity,
Dorothy's Blog: Executive Coaching: what are the top success factors? - The Industry Radar - February 12, 2010
International Coaching Week continues and today I take a look at the 'Top Success Factors' reported by DBM in their recent research study, conducted in partnership with the Human Capital Institute (full copy available at ...
The role of the PBM in workers comp - The Industry Radar - February 12, 2010
Work comp drug costs account for about one-sixth of medical expenses, and are increasing at a rate appreciably higher than overall medical cost. Why? And more importantly, how are some payers able to keep drug trend negative? I've just come...
Taleo Valentine's Day Survey Finds Employees Are in Love With ... - The Industry Radar - February 12, 2010
TLEO ), the leading provider of on-demand talent management solutions, offers a timely perspective on the level of job commitment among American workers. Now in its third year, the TaleoValentin...
Model Employer CHIP Notice Published - HR.BLR - February 12, 2010
(2/11) The Department of Labor has published a model notice for employers to use to inform employees of state-based programs for group health plan premium assistance. As of January 2010, 40 states use funds from their Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to help people who are eligible for employer-sponsored health coverage and need assistance in paying their health premiums. The notice is required in these 40 states.
Communicate Tax Changes - About.com - February 8, 2010
In recent weeks, several numbers have caught my attention because of their implication for both the economy and for employers. Without a lot of comment, I am providing links to the material from this blog post and tomorrow's blog post. I'd love to see these numbers spark some discussion on the site. I am especially concerned because of what they are telling us about the changing American economy for business.It feels a bit like under the cover of darkness, the IRS has quietly published new withholding charts for 2010. These employer required withholdings are best described to employees before they believe their employer is the responsible party in their changed withholding amount. I have not seen this discussed many places, so thought I'd raise the isue for your review. In my company, our Finance VP went directly to our CPA firm to understand the implications for our employees.We did not want our employees surprised during a year when raises and bonuses have been scarce. We wanted them to have the necessary information and understand its implications for their financial circumstances, without placing blame for any changes on the employer. While the new rates for withholding may be inconsequential for some employees, others may experience up to $200.00 less in their paycheck.In a year when employee raises were scarce, any additional reduction in pay, even temporarily, may affect some employee families. So, we have announced the changes to our employees. Secondly, we do not want our employees believing that the hit to their take-home pay is something the company did, when, in fact, the new withholding amounts apply nationally to all employees.Additionally, you may want to contact your employer to adjust your withholding taxto more closely align with your expected 2010 tax obligation. There are certain circumstances under the Making Work Pay Tax Creditthat may result in your employer withholding less tax than you prefer. Find out more about the Making Work Pay Tax Credit.All Topics| Most Popular| Newsletter| HR ForumCommunicate Tax Changesoriginally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at 10:20:36.Permalink| Comment| Email this
Job Interviews Help Assess "Fit" - About.com - February 8, 2010
The job interview is a powerful factor in the employee selection process in most organizations.The job interview remains key to assessing the candidate's cultural fit. The job interview remains the tool you can use to get to know your candidate on a more personal basis. The job interview process helps other employees "own"the new employee who joins your organization.Don't base your hiring decisions completely on the job interview - some research indicates that a positive job interview only increases the likelihood of your hiring an excellent employee by 2%. So, consider other important factors such as reference checksand background checksand work experience, too. But, don't underestmate the power of the job interviewin selecting employees.Image Copyright Steve ColeAll Topics| Most Popular| Newsletter| HR ForumJob Interviews Help Assess "Fit"originally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 10:11:03.Permalink| Comment| Email this
Succession Success Steps - The Industry Radar - February 8, 2010
Implementing an effective succession plan can produce big results in an organization. The Bersin &Associates Case Study, Hardwiring Performance Measurement: North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System Focuses on Talent Management to Increase Patient Care Quality, describes how the health care leader transformed their culture using small successful changes:By looking at the entire employee lifecycle, from hiring to career development to succession, the health system was able to systematically and rapidly make overall improvements in talent management, company culture and business results.In particular, North Shore-LIJ identified key positions, developed high-potential employees, and created talent pools for succession management....
and we're going to strip-search you before the job interview - The Industry Radar - February 8, 2010
A reader writes:After filling out an online application, I received an email from the (large and well-known) employer asking that I return to their career website to provide my date of birth, social security number, and driver's license number. They added that they will only use the information to begin a background check if I were to receive and accept a job offer from them.Is it weird for a company to ask me for this information and consent (permission to do background check) before even a phone interview or any preliminary step like that? Maybe I am paranoid or maybe it's just that I've never had any organization ask for this immediately upon applying before, but it kinda seems like doing things out of order to me -- like if they wanted to do a credit check on me when I'm one of five final candidates, fine -- but just for...
Hard times shouldn't mean soft ERISA compliance - The Industry Radar - February 8, 2010
Our friends at Employee Benefit News Legal Alertpublished one of those "must read" articles. Attorney Cynthia Marcotte Stamer writes Tough Times Are No Excuse for ERISA Shortcuts.Ms. Stamer correctly points out that irrespective of the business hardships that plan sponsors are facing, the Department of Labor (DOL) will aggressively pursue enforcement if they perceive that a plan sponsor has failed take the necessary steps to protect plan participants.Here are three key points she makes:Many employers don't understand their fiduciary...
Caution When Conducting Background Checks - The Industry Radar - February 8, 2010
All too often when HR professionals are looking to conduct background checks on applicants, they first delve into the issue of price and then, maybe but not likely, delve into the issue of competence, integrity and accuracy. An interesting post...
How Will New ADA Regulations Impact Your Company? - HR.BLR - February 8, 2010
(2/8) Given the broader definition of ?disability? included in the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 and recent Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance, education is employers? main line of defense against disability-related claims, according to Janine Yancey, J.D., SPHR.
Employees Who Work from Home on the Rise - HR.BLR - February 8, 2010
(2/8) The number of people who worked at home increased from about 9.5 million in 1999 to about 11.3 million in 2005, according to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau. Nearly half of these home workers had college degrees and nearly half of them earned $75,000 a year or more.
SOX Whistleblowers Entitled to Restart Cases in Federal Court, Fourth Circuit Confirms. - ELINFONET.com - January 29, 2010
Following a decision of the federal appeals court in Richmond, employers may have to expect to defend against Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) whistleblower claims at the federal court level even after they have done so through trial at the administrative level. In a matter of first impression, the appeals court has clarified that SOX whistleblower claimants are entitled to de novo review (a fresh hearing on their claim) in federal district court if the Department of Labor (DOL) has not issued a final decision on the claim within the 180-day statutory period allotted for such action.
Tax Court: Settlement Payment for Workplace Stress that Exacerbated Physical Condition Not Taxable Income - ELINFONET.com - January 29, 2010
In Domeny v. Commissioner, the U.S. Tax Court held that an employee's settlement payment for allegations that work-related stress exacerbated a physical condition was excludable from taxable income under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 104(a)(2).2
Congress Extends COBRA Subsidy to HelpWorkers (pdf). - ELINFONET.com - January 29, 2010
Congress gave recession weary familiessome good news just before its Decemberrecess. In a move designed to help familiesretain their employer sponsored insurance,Congress extended last years COBRA subsidy. The news couldnt have come at a better time for families looking at the looming December 31 cutoff for the subsidy.
SEC Adopts New Rules for Enhanced Compensation and Corporate Governance Disclosure. - ELINFONET.com - January 29, 2010
On December 16, 2009, in response to the recent demand by investors for increased transparency and corporate accountability, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved new rules requiring enhanced proxy disclosure.
Of Faithless Servants and Efficient Breaches - The Industry Radar - January 29, 2010
From the man bites dog perspective, I always perk up a little when an employer sues an employee. This happens relatively rarely (and most often as a counterclaim when the employer is trying to up the ante for settlement purposes)....
Connecting In Person Still Critical In The Digital Age - The Industry Radar - January 29, 2010
Yesterday, I attended #connectHR and it was, by all measures, a smashing success. Even for a guy who has pretty great luck working a room and talking to new people, I don’t think I got through the entire guest list of over 100 people in a little over two hours. What I continue to find [...]
SaaS Solutions Continue to Emerge for HR « HRO Insights - The Industry Radar - January 25, 2010
MidlandHR's iTrent software is a web-based, integrated HR and payroll system which helps its clients tackle HR issues such as payroll, talent management , succession planning, recruitment and absence management ...
Relapse Prevention – A helpful metaphor for making training stick - The Industry Radar - January 25, 2010
If you’re reading this article you’re probably a big believer in the concept of interval reinforcement – or follow-up – to make training stick. I came across an interesting study from the United States Air Force Institute of Technology. The survey examined which “training transfer” strategiesmost effectively ensured that people retained what they [...]
Strategies 2010: Harnessing the Power of People - Talent Management Tech - The Industry Radar - January 25, 2010
Strategies 2010: Harnessing the Power of...
Jobs You Want and Jobs To Stay Away From - The Industry Radar - January 25, 2010
That's the theme of our Friday links as we get you ready for the weekend on the day a decade-old age discrimination suit was settled by the TV networks and studios according to The Wrap Fortune and CNNMoney have the 100 best companies to work for--which may be an even more important list than the Fortune 500. Glassdoor.com has their list of the best 50 places to work for (I wonder how many of those overlap...?) Media Bistro (the website where I actually found this job and why I'm blogging to you right now) has a list of the most desired media jobs of 2009 Complain about your job? FoundValue Blog has 10 jobs they promise are...(THIS IS ONLY A PREVIEW. PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE OR CHECK OUT ASTRON'S BLOG AT http://astronsolutionsworldofhr.blogspot.com/ FOR THE FULL ARTICLE)...
Federal HR Meets Social Media - Nextgov - The Industry Radar - January 25, 2010
Federal HR Meets Social...
Develop a Policy - About.com - January 18, 2010
Requests this winter are running high for more policies and procedures, in case you wondered why I've written several in 2009. I also received several requests for employee handbook introductionsand employee sign-offsin which employees acknowledge receipt of the handbook and the company Standards of Conduct. No amount of verbiage and sign-offs will keep you totally safe in our current legal quagmire, but my proffered samples send you down the right path. I trust you find these samples helpful.Additionally, dress codes(who would have thunk?) and resignation lettersare popular with readers as well as candidate rejection letters.Please let me know what else you'd like to see on the site.More Resources About PoliciesHow to Develop a Policy: Sample Policies.Employment at Will Sample Policy.Forms for Hiring.All Topics| Most Popular| Newsletter| HR ForumDevelop a Policyoriginally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Sunday, January 17th, 2010 at 11:28:27.Permalink| Comment| Email this
The Power Of Not Being Positive - Forbes - January 18, 2010
Failure is an option. It's how you cope with it that counts.
Six Tips On Hiring A Business Coach - Forbes - January 18, 2010
It seems like everyone is peddling advice. Now to cut wheat from chaff.
New Obligation to Self-Report Excise Taxes for Group Health Plan Failures. - ELINFONET.com - January 18, 2010
Until now, no mandate or procedure has existed for employers to self-report excise taxes due under the Internal Revenue Code for violations of the duties imposed by COBRA, HIPAA and other laws relating to group health plans. The IRS has seldom assessed these excise taxes on audit.
The Senate's Turn at Shaping Health Care Reform - Reconciliation Awaits. - ELINFONET.com - January 18, 2010
On December 24, 2009, the United States Senate passed its version of Health Care Reform, known as thePatient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590). Presently, the House and Senate Democraticleaderships are negotiating a compromise version of Health Care Reform with an articulated goal ofachieving fi nal passage by Congress by the end of January or early February (in time for President Obamas yet-to-be-scheduled State of the Union address).
How to Resolve Conflict as a Leader - The Industry Radar - January 18, 2010
It’s not the easiest of tasks being a leader – yes, you do have the advantage of holding a fancy title and commanding the troops, but on the downside, when something goes wrong, you’re the first one in the firing line. To prove that you’re a good and capable leader, you need to show that you can handle adverse situations adroitly; anyone can cope when the going is good; it’s when things start to go wrong that you need someone strong to step in and take charge. One way to prove that you’re a genuine and capable leader is to resolve conflicts that arise amidst your team, amicably and without any permanent repercussions. To do this, guest blogger Shannon Willis suggeststhat you:Listen to both sides: When you fail to listen to both aggrieved parties, you show your prejudice and bias, traits that a leader should stay far away from. You must hear both sides of the ...
The rise of the permanent temporary workforce - MSNBC - The Industry Radar - January 18, 2010
On a recent Tuesday morning, single mom Tammy DePew Smith woke up in her tidy Florida townhouse in time to shuttle her oldest daughter, a high school freshman, to the 6:11 a.m. bus. At 6:40 she was at the desk in her bedroom, starting her first shift ...
10 things to do in 2010 - The Industry Radar - January 18, 2010
While we are still in the first few weeks of the new year I through it would be good to look at come of the things you should focus on during 2010 to.In no particular order here is my list of 10 things to do in 2010:Have an HR/Talent Management/Recruiting application blueprint The IT environment in [...]
Top 10 office jargon of the noughties - The Industry Radar - January 18, 2010
Our old friends at Office Angelshave sifted through the archives and compiled their top 10 list of office jargon that has graced the workplace through the noughties. Guru thinks there are some real classic here:We need the right pin numbers (we need it to work)A lighthouse on a cloudy night (coming up with a good/bright idea)I'm coming into this with an open kimono (throwing an idea out into the open but being open to criticism)Let's touch base about this offline (lets meet up face-to-face)Finger in the air figure (just an estimate)I think someone needs a bite of the reality sandwich (someone needs to think a bit more practically)Let's run that idea up the flagpole and see if it flies (simply trying out an...
How Are Small Businesses Surviving? - HR.BLR - January 18, 2010
(1/15) TriNet, an HR outsourcing firm, recently invited two of its customers, both CEOs of small, entrepreneurial firms, to participate in a Webinar, sharing their strategies for survival in a recessionary economy. The session was moderated by Burton Goldfield, CEO of TriNet, which provides payroll services, recruitment, benefits administration, and other HR services to some 8,000 such firms.
Caution Reigns in Forecasting 2010 Pay - HR.BLR - January 18, 2010
(1/13) According to 124 Fortune 500 and other multi-national companies surveyed in late October 2009, US salaries are likely to improve during 2010. The same companies are not as optimistic about bonuses, though.
Wage & Hour Update: Failure To Pay Travel Expenses Costs Starbucks Millions - Site Headlines - January 18, 2010
A recent class action brought by Starbucks employees serves as a reminder to employers on the topic of travel expenses. The federal court employee class action alleged that Starbucks failed to reimburse employees for their travel expenses. The lead plaintiff, Jonelle Lewis, worked in a retail management positions at a Starbucks in California's Amador County community of Martell. During her year and one half of employment, she regularly used her personal vehicle to perform work-related duties. The duties included making bank deposits, getting supplies from vendors, and attending meetings. Ms. Lewis alleged that on several occasions when she and others requested reimbursement for mileage, they were advised that, as a matter of company policy, Starbucks does not reimburse employees for mileage expenses.
The 10 Most Frustrating Employee Work Habits & What You Can Do to Prevent Them - Site Headlines - January 18, 2010
We've all experienced it, or at least know someone who has: an employee who is habitually late to work, takes extended coffee breaks, or makes personal calls during work time - and leaves you or your co-workers to pick up the pieces. Work habits like these can put a damper on your bottom line. But, with a few simple changes you can turn these challenging employees into your star employees.
Understanding your New & Pre-existing COBRA Requirements - Site Headlines - January 18, 2010
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget & Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is designed to permit individuals who would otherwise lose their health insurance coverage to continue coverage through their employer, or former employer, at group rates. Employees electing COBRA coverage are responsible for paying the full premium themselves and may be required to pay a 2% administrative fee. COBRA applies to employers with 20 or more employees who offer group health insurance. However, many states have enacted their own COBRA requirements which cover employers with less than 20 employees. Download our COBRA Continuation by State form to determine whether or not your state has specific guidelines on the issue.
Top 10 Ways to Increasing Productivity & Better Time Management - Site Headlines - January 18, 2010
Are you struggling in the effort to make your small business successful? Does it feel like you are working harder and you still don't see the results you desire? Or maybe you want to grow your business to the next level of success. Let's take a look at the top 10 ways to increasing productivity and better time management.
What Employees are Experiencing, Thinking and Feeling -- Employee Satisfaction Surveys & Employee Engagement Surveys - Site Headlines - January 18, 2010
Employee satisfaction is a key driver of employee engagement, and employee engagement in turn is a key driver of customer satisfaction and loyalty, employee retention, productivity, sales, overall organizational performance and profit.
MEET GINA: A FAQ ON THE NEW GENETIC INFORMATION NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT (GINA). - ELINFONET.com - December 29, 2009
Congress has done it again. The new Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act ("GINA") prohibits discrimination against employees and job applicants on the basis of "genetic information". This law was signed into law by President Bush on May 21, 2008 and became effective on November 21, 2009. We have prepared this FAQ to familiarize you with the new law and the many obligations it imposes on employers.
Ignorance of Blog Law No Excuse. - ELINFONET.com - December 29, 2009
Blogs are booming. Employees are now using these Internet diaries to broadcast information and opinions worldwide. Inevitably, some of those employees will post hostile, false, or confidential information about their employers and fellow employees.
Court Says Resigning Employee May Copy Sensitive Company Files - HR.BLR - December 29, 2009
(12/28) Chances are, unless you have a dedicated IT department that monitors employee file access, you have no idea whether employees are copying or transferring company files. Although you may not be able to entirely prevent your employees from copying company files, as one employer recently learned, it?s critical to have a policy in place that prohibits them from doing so.
OK to Fire Worker for Skipping Drug Test? - HR.BLR - December 29, 2009
(12/28) A North Carolina transportation worker summoned home for a family emergency left work without taking a drug test required that day. Did the DOT fire him legally?
‘Twas the Night Before the HR Carnival - The Industry Radar - December 29, 2009
An early Christmas present (or belated Chanukah present) for all you HR folks – not only is the latest HR Carnival now up over at PseudoHR, but April Dowling, the PseudoHR leader, has turned it into a festive HR version of the Night Before Christmas! So go grab a cup of egg nog or some [...]
Assessing the Benefits of Human Resources Outsourcing - Hr Morning - The Industry Radar - December 29, 2009
Assessing the Benefits of Human Resources Outsourcing Hr Morning Cost and time savings make outsourcing human resources an attractive option for many businesses. However, working with a sub-standard provider can be ...
Top 10 Don'ts When You Fire an Employee - About.com - December 29, 2009
I don't know many people who want to fire a fellow employee. Coworkers can get angry when it seems that a coworker is not contributing. In fact, in the realm of motivation, one of the most important weaknesses of management is failure to take action when an employee is failing. Coworkers become demotivated when they see another employee "getting away with"low or no contribution.This week's new article focuses on ten things you don't want to do when you fire an employee. Of course, your goal is to minimize the potential for a lawsuit and to avoid scaring or worrying successful continuing employees. But, you also want to protect the feelings of the people who must fire the employee and the self-esteem of the individual whose employment is terminated. A reputation as an employer of choice rises and falls on many components, but how people are treated - or how people perceive they were treated - is huge in the world of reputation. What are your top don'ts when you fire an employee?Know and Live Your Values - Ten Day ProcessYesterday, on the ten day success journey, you focused on building and promoting your own personal growth and development as a person and as a member of a workplace. Today, you'll need to focus even more deeply and look inside to determine your values. Articulating these values is another important step in the ten day success program.
Roby v. McKesson – Harassment v. Discrimination - The Industry Radar - December 21, 2009
The California Supreme Court recently ruled on the Case of Roby v. McKesson which is, among other things, a study on what not to do as a manager.Charlene Roby worked for McKesson Corporation for 25 years, most recently in a warehouse position processing orders. During her last few years at McKesson, Ms. Roby began [...]
Should we still call it Human “Resources”? « Enlightened Purpose - The Industry Radar - December 21, 2009
Should we still call it Human Resources ? Or is there a better way to describe what HR professionals do? If people are to be viewed as more than assets, then maybe we need to change the title of Human “Resources ” to reflect the changes ...
U.S. Sugar Pays $15.9M to Settle ERISA Claims - HR.BLR - December 8, 2009
(12/7) Clewiston, Florida-based U.S. Sugar has agreed to pay $15.9 million to settle a breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit brought by 4,000 current and former employees and other shareholders.
Could She Have Been Accommodated? - HR.BLR - December 8, 2009
(12/7) An employee of a Connecticut manufacturer developed a respiratory illness as a result of inhaling chemical fumes in the plant. She took a year?s medical leave and then was cleared to return to work?as long as she worked away from such fumes. Several jobs were available, but she wasn?t qualified for any except on the factory floor. She refused to wear a respirator, was fired, and sued.
Survey Design 101 – Part 1: What to Ask and How - The Industry Radar - December 8, 2009
Guest Author: Stephen B. Jeong, Ph.D. It’s time for that annual “all-hands” annual employee survey! You’re charged with going to your employees and asking “how are we (as a company) doing?” Putting together a set of survey questions may seem fairly intuitive – and it is… for the most part. However, there are at least a [...]
To Drink or Not to Drink -- Not - About.com - December 8, 2009
Okay, my suspicions are confirmed. The majority of the holiday office party gaffes described by readersare fueled by too much alcohol drinking.Some readers are telling tales about themselves, and their usually, early career mishaps. In fact, if people didn't drink, and in some cases, didn't talk, there would be no holiday blunders worth telling about. How bad is that?I have written about drinking at office holiday partiesin the past. They are a particularly poor stage for bad behavior as your coworkers never forget and your actions may well affect your careerin the future. People act subconsciously. You won't often see a manager look at a promotional opportunity and say, "Well, Mary was so drunk at the office party, how can we ever be sure she will exhibit good judgment on these accounts."While a manager can think these thoughts, it's more likely that the decision maker is subtly affected by the bad behavior. Mary won't get the job and she will never know exactly why - but, she may suspect.If you don't want to burn bridges this holiday season, set two glasses of wine or two beers as your limit. A client company's employees schedule a monthly event called 2BeerFriday so that people attending understand the expectations and don't overdo the drinking. If good sense doesn't control your party behavior, perhaps peer pressure will. One can only hope that each employee takes personal responsibilityfor their office party behavior.Do read the article for examples of ways to minimize the impact of alcohol at your office holiday events. Be safe; be smart. Enjoy each other without the alcohol crutch this holiday season.Image Copyright Ekaterina MonakhovaAll Topics| Most Popular| Newsletter| HR ForumBe a Technorati Fan| Follow Me On TwitterTo Drink or Not to Drink -- Notoriginally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Sunday, December 6th, 2009 at 14:01:11.Permalink| Comment| Email this
Corporate Supported Philanthropy Is Motivational - About.com - December 8, 2009
You want involved, engaged, satisfied employees. You also want to be a good corporate citizen with the reputation as an employer of choiceso that you attract and retain the best employees.At the same time, you need to make a profit so you can make money, pay employees, see what you can create, ever more effectively listen to and serve your customers, and provide a work environment in which people want to contribute. You want more than their forty hours; you want the discretionary energy that employees decide whether to contribute at work - or not. Successful departments, functions, and companies get it all.Corporate Philanthropy for Employee MotivationLarge corporations generally have well-defined corporate philanthropy programs that may include foundations, major event sponsorship, and corporation-wide employee involvement in volunteerism and organized giving, often to a well-organized charity such as United Way. But, corporate philanthropypresents an astonishing opportunity for small to mid-sized companies and organizations, too.Key to the success of your corporate philanthropy efforts is the enthusiasm of the team that leads the charge, That team's understanding about what fellow employees find motivating and interesting is another key to success. A range of activities that include volunteering, cash donations, cash donations with a company match up to a certain limit, and run/walk-type activities for active employees involve all employee groups.Corporate philanthropy can range from a can of food donated at a holiday food and clothing collection event to a developer volunteering to build a website for a local nonprofit over a weekend. Employees have tutored students in subjects necessary for their profession and supported local nonprofits that promote learning in their field of work. Your only limit is the imagination of your employees.All Topics| Most Popular| Newsletter| HR ForumBe a Technorati Fan| Follow Me On TwitterCorporate Supported Philanthropy Is Motivationaloriginally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Monday, December 7th, 2009 at 01:47:07.Permalink| Comment| Email this
Warning: long-term side effects of recession may include… - The Industry Radar - November 30, 2009
Per this recent report from HumanCapitalInstitute and Monster, 84% of employers feel that their employees are loyal and content to have a job...
Enable a Mentor's Contribution to Your Success - The Industry Radar - November 30, 2009
Working with a client group, we identified the characteristicsof the employees who had mentored them during their developmental years.They added what they wished mentors had provided. I added my own thoughts about successful mentorsthat I and others have experienced and known. The compiled list is the 15 most important characteristics of successful mentors.Does...
Dan Pink on Why Financial Rewards Suck for Motivating Performance - The Industry Radar - November 30, 2009
Dan Pink makes a compelling case in his Ted Talk that financial rewards undermine performance in tasks that require creativity and complex problem-solving. As he says in the talk, this strong evidence about the negative effects of financial rewards runs...
10 Tips for Retaining Your Top Performers in 2010 - HR.BLR - November 20, 2009
(11/19) The staffing firm Robert Half Technology has created tips for retaining your top performers during 2010.
Facebook – beyond the 20-somethings - The Industry Radar - November 20, 2009
Facebook used to be a tool limited to recruiting the 20-somethings. Now you can snag older folks too.
Presenteeism - as much of a problem as absenteeism? - The Industry Radar - November 20, 2009
Research carried out by business psychologists Robertson Cooper has found that a quarter of those surveyed have gone to work while ill. While presenteeism is a complex issue, a growing number of people feel compelled to turn up at the...
USCIS Plans Surge in H-1B Worksite Inspections. - ELINFONET.com - November 13, 2009
The U.S Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has commenced an investigation initiative to increase dramatically the number of worksite inspections of the employment of H-1B foreign workers. H-1B visas are commonly obtained by U.S. companies in order to employ skilled foreign workers in specialty occupations. The on-site inspections will focus on employers compliance with the employment terms of their foreign workers immigration petitions.
Cheesecake Factory Settles Suit Alleging Same-Sex Harassment - HR.BLR - November 13, 2009
(11/12) The restaurant chain Cheesecake Factory has agreed to pay $345,000 to settle an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) lawsuit alleging that that six male employees were subjected to repeated sexual harassment at a restaurant in Arizona.
Did Salespeople Actually Receive Commission? - HR.BLR - November 13, 2009
(11/10) A St. Louis company paid its salespeople a base salary plus a percentage of profits from their individual sales. Several salespeople sued the company because they thought that the company was not properly paying them their commissions. The trial court dismissed the case, finding that the salespeople did not receive commissions at all and so could not sue for penalties related to nonpayment of commissions.
Court Finds a Breach of Fiduciary Duty Despite Clear Statement in SPD that Employer Could Amend Retiree Medical Plan. - ELINFONET.com - November 6, 2009
In re Unisys Corporation Retiree Medical Benefits ERISA Litigation, 579 F. 3d 220 (3d Cir. 2009), the fourth decision in the long running Unisys Corporation (Unisys) litigation, held that Unisys breached its fiduciary duty by not informing retirees that Unisys retained the right to change the terms of their retiree medical benefits. In reaching this conclusion, the court rejected Unisys' key arguments that (1) there was no need to inform the individuals of Unisys' right to amend because no amendments were being contemplated at the time, (2) the Summary Plan Description (SPD) Unisys distributed expressly stated that Unisys retained the right to amend the plan, and (3) the injunction compelling Unisys to reinstate the plan without the right to change benefits impermissibly restricted Unisys in its capacity as a settlor. The court reasoned that: in context, Unisys' statements amounted to a misrepresentation; the language in the SPD was irrelevant because Unisys did not distribute the SPD until after the individuals had retired; and the right to equitable relief trumped Unisys' rights as a settlor.
Union's "Orchestrated" Refusal To Work Overtime Found Unlawful. - ELINFONET.com - November 6, 2009
A federal appeals court recently ruled that United Healthcare Workers West, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), violated federal law by telling housekeepers and linen aides at a San Francisco hospital to refuse to perform overtime work without giving the hospital ten-days prior notice.
Swine Flu Threat Good For Unions? - ELINFONET.com - November 6, 2009
Using scare tactics to drum up fear has long been used by unions to generate unhappy employees, and to provide a good environment for unionization. Some unions are now using the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, to create controversy, rather than unifying and assisting hospitals and other industry employers in preparing for a possible pandemic. Finding a topic to exploit with workers is nothing new, and using a topic that scares many and can create a panic is just icing on the cake.
Avoiding Social-Networking Snafus. - ELINFONET.com - November 6, 2009
On September 15, 2009, Facebook announced that it served 300 million users worldwide. By comparison, on October 1, 2009, the United States Census Bureau's website indicated that the population of the United States was approximately 307.5 million.
Staffing Companies Face Potential Exposure for Interview Time. - ELINFONET.com - November 6, 2009
In a putative class action pending in the federal court for the Northern District of California, Sullivan v. Kelly Services, Inc. (Case No. C 08-3893 CW), Judge Claudia Wilken, ruling on cross motions for summary judgment, has held that the time spent interviewing by a Kelly Services employee seeking temporary work assignments with Kelly Services' clients is compensable under California law. However, Judge Wilken also ruled that the time spent preparing for and commuting to the client interviews was not compensable, nor was Kelly Services required to reimburse the employees for expenses incurred in attending the interviews.
New FMLA Expansion: Employers Should Act Now - HR.BLR - November 6, 2009
(11/5) President Barack Obama last week signed legislation that makes several changes to the family military leave provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act. Employers should act now to make the necessary changes.
Productivity Increases at 6-Year High; Hours Worked Continue to Fall - HR.BLR - November 6, 2009
(11/5) Labor productivity increased at an annual rate of 9.5 percent during the third quarter of 2009, the largest gain in productivity since the third quarter of 2003, according a preliminary report by the Department of Labor?s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The HR Profession « Entry HR Blog - The Industry Radar - November 6, 2009
I believe that the purpose of the Human Resources profession is to help companies achieve their objectives through the management of their most important assets, the people who work for them. This is accomplished primarily through ...
Flexible Workplace Briefing - The Industry Radar - November 6, 2009
Last week, Workplace Flexibility 2010 held a congressional briefing on ways to improve the availability of flexible work arrangements. BNA's Daily Labor Report (subscription required) reported on the briefing, which included speakers from numerous employer and employee groups. Some of...
When is the change going to be over? - The Industry Radar - November 6, 2009
An executive my wife knows reported one of her people recently asked her this question. The last couple years have been tough on all of of us, and especially tough on people who had assumed that the future would be...
Investing in Your Most Important Asset: You - The Industry Radar - November 6, 2009
Reuters - Found 11 hours agoThis week: Investing in your most important asset, your human capital.Investing in Your Most Important Asset: You- Earthtimes.orgInvesting in Your Most Important Asset: You Investing in Yourself ...- PR insideInvesting in Your Most Important Asset: You- Marketwire via Yahoo!...
Onboarding: 5 tips to get it right so you don't lose new hires - The Industry Radar - November 6, 2009
To increase the productivity and effectiveness of new workers -- and make them want to stay -- organizations should ensure on - More -
Pursue Happiness at Work - About.com - November 6, 2009
Next week is Pursuit of Happiness Week, so I'm featuring some articles about how to manage those aspects of your work life that contribute to your happiness at work. Getting along with your bossand holding on to your jobare excellent places to start if you value success and happiness at work.The best place to start first is to love your work. If you love your work, just about everything work related can be managed. Consider subscribing to my weekly newsletter, Your Tip of the Week for Success in Work and Life. In a hurry? Try Ten Days to a Happier, More Successful Career and Life.Image Copyright Tom Fullum / Getty ImagesAll Topics| Most Popular| Newsletter| HR ForumBe a Technorati Fan| Follow Me On TwitterPursue Happiness at Workoriginally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 19:21:39.Permalink| Comment| Email this
Will You Be Ready For Section 409A Compliance Audits? - ELINFONET.com - October 30, 2009
IRS audits that cover compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code seem a near term certainty.[1] As a result, employers should take steps now to ensure that their deferred compensation arrangements are in compliance with the documentary and operational requirements of Section 409A. Adverse tax consequences under Section 409A may include premature taxation, an additional 20% federal income tax (and possibly an additional state tax equivalent, as is the case in California), and an interest-charge tax.
Congress Expands Military FMLA Leave. - ELINFONET.com - October 30, 2009
Less than a year after the Department of Labor issued regulations implementing and clarifying new forms of military-related FMLA leave, Congress has approved measures that will substantially expand the scope of these provisions. On October 28, 2009, President Obama signed into law the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, which among other things extends eligibility for "qualifying exigencies" and military caregiver leave to a larger population of employees. The legislation does not include an effective date, suggesting that it took effect immediately upon the President's signature.
New EEOC Workplace Poster Now Available for Employers. - ELINFONET.com - October 30, 2009
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has revised the workplace notice that employers covered by federal anti-discrimination laws must post to reflect the requirements of the new Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act and the changes made by the ADA Amendments Act.
Retirement Plans Must Be Amended Before Year End. - ELINFONET.com - October 30, 2009
The end of the calendar year is soon approaching. For sponsors of qualified benefit plans, this means that plan amendments must be adopted and certain notices may need to be distributed. Below is a summary of the major amendments and notices that apply to most qualified retirement plans. The IRS has also released the new retirement plan limits for 2010 that are available here. During the year end flurry of activity, employers need to focus on these deadlines, notice requirements and new limits. If employers have not yet been contacted by their plan's service provider, employers should take action now to avoid being in noncompliance.
Employment Law Supreme Court Roundup in 2009. - ELINFONET.com - October 30, 2009
The 2008 term of the United States Supreme Court did not see as many major labor and employment law cases as the previous term. Even so, a number of high-profile and otherwise significant employment cases made their way onto the court's docket. The following is a summary of the major cases decided in 2009 from the Court's 2008 term.
Describe Your Worst Job - Ever - About.com - October 30, 2009
At some point in most careers, you will have had a job that you hated. No matter whether your worst joboffered you lousy or distasteful work, a boss you hated, or coworkers who constantly undermined you or complained, you remember the job as your worst job - ever.I thought back over my career, and mind you, because I have been writing and consulting for years, I have not taken any jobs except for clients I loved and for whom I really thought I could make a difference, in a long time. But, in the earlier days, I worked at a GM education center as a management development specialist.I really liked the director, the clients, and the work, but my immediate boss was petty, self-serving, and a tyrant who wanted her way all of the time. Plus, coming out of 16 years in an education setting, I was first of all, used to running things, but secondly, I felt as if I was, once again, managing another school - the environment I had just left - on purpose.The job gave me connections, however, and I was soon able to move to a GM plant where I learned a whole new world - and even became friends with my former boss when I no longer reported to her. If that opportunity had not come up, however, I would have spent all of my time job searching to get rid of a bad bossand a public sector repeat career in an industry setting.I also worked as a Good Humor ice cream truck substitute driver during the summer of the Detroit riots in 1967. But, I loved that job, and its unexpected dire environment, is a story for another day.Okay, I've shared my worst job story. What's yours? Compared to the stories I regularly hear about on this website, my story is mild, and fortunately, I got out of there quickly.Please share your worst job - ever- story.Image Copyright BobbieoAll Topics| Most Popular| Newsletter| HR ForumBe a Technorati Fan| Follow Me On TwitterDescribe Your Worst Job - Everoriginally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 01:29:02.Permalink| Comment| Email this
Obama Signs FMLA Expansion - HR.BLR - October 29, 2009
(10/29) President Obama has signed legislation that expands coverage of "exigency leave"and "servicemember caregiver leave"under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Normative Data for Employee Surveys – Worth the Spend? - The Industry Radar - October 29, 2009
Guest Author: Stephen B. Jeong, Ph.D. As a child, whenever I would screw up, my mother always said, “Why can’t you be more like Billy?” Billy was a straight-A student who excelled in every sport with which he was involved – an all-around “wunderkind” who could do no wrong. Needless to say, I didn’t like being [...]
How To Find Unintended Consequences in Your Incentive &Reward Program - The Industry Radar - October 29, 2009
$25,000,000 Bonus A $1,000,000 mansion What do these have in common? Simple - they are things you would probably do something different to get. You might sky dive, you might bungee jump, you might make a few more cold calls every day. In other words they could influence your behavior if you were given the opportunity to earn them. And they are huge awards. So huge in fact, you might do something outside your normal...
Holiday Season Retail Hiring Expected to Be Flat - Washington Post - The Industry Radar - October 19, 2009
Holiday Season Retail Hiring Expected to Be Flat Washington Post "Labor is the most adaptive of the resources in their production equation," said Robert Yerex, chief economist at Kronos , a workforce consulting firm. ...
How and Why Did You Pick HR? - The Industry Radar - October 19, 2009
2010 Benefit Plan Contribution Limits Just Released by IRS - The Industry Radar - October 19, 2009
2010 Benefit Plan Contribution Limits 401(a)(17)/ 404(l) Annual Compensation 245,000 402(g)(1) Elective Deferrals (Your 401(k) Contribution Limit) 16,500 408(p)(2)(E) SIMPLE Maximum Contributions 11,500 414(q)(1)(B) HCE Threshold 110,000 414(v)(2)(B)(i) Catch-up Contributions 5,500 415(b)(1)(A) DB Limits 195,000 415(c)(1)(A) DC Limits 49,000...
should i include a job I was fired from on my resume? - The Industry Radar - October 19, 2009
A reader writes:
I was just terminated from my job. I was five days before being off probation and two days away from my first big job event (I plan and run conferences). Without any prior notice, meeting, or confrontation, I was ushered into my department head’s office and told that in order to make a strong team, she needed to let me go immediately. I asked if there was any particular cause or option for a re-negotiation, but was told that since I was still in my probationary period, they were within their rights to terminate me at any time. At that point security came in and ushered me to my office to collect my things and leave the building. It was all quite dramatic.
Of course, I understand the rules. I am, however, at a bit of a loss on how to move on from here. I had been out of work for five months prior to this position and worked there for 2.5...
Can HR Transform Itself Into A Talent-Centric Service Provider - The Industry Radar - October 19, 2009
...not only the right strategy, but also a greater involvement of the HR leaders in talent management - both internal and external.
10 Rules for Hiring Unpaid Interns - Workforce Management - The Industry Radar - October 19, 2009
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Earn Employee Commitment - About.com - October 19, 2009
Nightmare Interviews - About.com - September 29, 2009
On the subject of what could people possibly be thinking, once upon a time, I interviewed a candidate for a professional sales and marketing position. She had driven in from...
Bias Suit Involves Other Employees'Fragrances - HR.BLR - September 11, 2009
(9/10) The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit accusing a grocery store of violating federal law by refusing to accommodate a pharmacy worker who is severely allergic to cosmetic fragrances.
More Cuts than Additions to Payrolls for End of 2009 - HR.BLR - September 11, 2009
(9/10) There are more employers who expect a decrease in their payrolls over the next 3 months than there are employers who expect an increase, according to a survey of 28,000 employers by Manpower, Inc.
Contracts Are Not About Trust - About.com - September 11, 2009
Implementing contracts with employees after the fact is always an approach fraught with difficulty. Some employees will take signing a non compete agreement or a non disclosure contract,...
Celebrate Labor Day Week: What Do You Do for a Living? - About.com - September 8, 2009
Let's celebrate Labor Day week and dedicate it to all people who work. Please share what you do for a living.I spend time on long holiday weekends thinking about my...
Ask for a Pay Raise in a Tough Economy - About.com - September 8, 2009
Earlier last week, I wrote about how to obtain a pay raise during tough economic times in a blog post. The topic proved so popular that I expanded the post...
Online Job Ads Show Some Bright Spots - HR.BLR - September 1, 2009
(8/31) Employers advertised 169,000 more jobs in August than they did in July, according to a report by the Conference Board.
Employers Look to Performance-Based Awards During 2009 - HR.BLR - September 1, 2009
(8/31) Spending on performance-based bonuses for exempt workers has grown from 10.8 percent of payroll in 2008 to 12.0 percent of payroll in 2009, according to a survey of large employers by Hewitt Associates, a consulting firm. In 2009, employers also dedicated a larger percentage of their payrolls to bonuses for nonexempt employees.
Most Employers Expect to Add Staff - HR.BLR - September 1, 2009
(8/31) Fifty-three percent of employers say they plan to hire full-time employees in the next 12 months, according to a new survey by Robert Half International and CareerBuilder.
Deal With Bullying at Work - About.com - September 1, 2009
Writing about bullying at work evoked a number of memories of workplaces over the years.I dont believe I was ever bullied but I witnessed several instances of bullying. I have...
Best Job Interview Questions - About.com - August 31, 2009
Many employers spend a lot of interview time asking potential employees questions such as, "what would you do if " type questions. Now, I do believe some decent knowledge about...
7 Ways to Lose Arguments - The Industry Radar - August 26, 2009
Some classic mistakes in arguments are:
HR Execs Predict Hiring Needs - About.com - August 26, 2009
With unemployment projected at 10% in the United States by the end of the year, high school students starting college are rightly concerned about who companies will be hiring by...
Obama Reveals 5 Guiding Principles for Executive Pay - HR.BLR - June 12, 2009
(6/11) The Obama administration has outlined 5 guiding principles for executive compensation and called for legislation that would require a nonbinding ?say-on-pay" vote at stockholder meetings and rules that would address the independence of compensation committees.
Why the 2009 recession could be over already - but not for HR - The Industry Radar - June 12, 2009
Why the 2009 recession could be over already - but not for HR
Could a simple five-minute interaction with another person dramatically increase your weekly productivity?In some employment environments, the answer is yes, according to Wharton management professor Adam Grant. Grant has devoted significant chunks of his professional career to examining what motivates workers in settings that range from call centers and mail-order pharmacies to swimming pool lifeguard squads. In all these situations, Grant says, employees who know how their work has a meaningful, positive impact on others are not just happier than those who don't; they are vastly more productive, too.
New FMLA Amendments Create "Exigencies" for EmployersPart Two. - ELINFONET.com - February 19, 2010
This two-part article analyzes the new military family leave provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), as amended in 2008 and again in 2009. The first installment explored the Active Duty Family Leave for employees who experience a qualifying exigency arising out of the fact that a family member has been called to active duty. This second installment analyzes the leave available for an employee to care for a military family member who is injured in the line of duty and, specifically, how this Injured Service Member Leave compares with the traditional FMLA leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition.
Employers May Need to Monitor Compliance of Business Associates with HITECH Act. - ELINFONET.com - February 19, 2010
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is commonly known for its provisions designed to stimulate a flagging economy. However, the Act's Title XIII (known as the "Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act" or "HITECH Act") has another purposeto impose obligations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA") directly on business associates (as defined under HIPAA) with respect to the way they handle certain health-related information in connection with an employer's health plan and to impose civil or criminal penalties for any violations of those obligations. This Alert discusses how business associates are affected by the HITECH Act and what employers should do to monitor the compliance of business associates under the HITECH Act.
Relief From Section 409A for Plan Document Errors Requires Prompt Action. - ELINFONET.com - February 19, 2010
Earlier this year the IRS issued Notice 2010-6, which provides formal guidance for correction of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A plan document errors. Generally, the earlier that the plan document error is corrected under the terms of the Notice, the more likely that adverse Section 409A tax consequences can be mitigated or avoided altogether. In addition, the Notice provides transition relief for certain Section 409A plan document errors that are corrected by December 31, 2010. For many Section 409A plan document errors, the guidance under the Notice effectively extends to December 31, 2010 the original Section 409A documentary compliance deadline of December 31, 2008 mentioned in our prior Cooley Alert. As a result, employers should take steps now to review their compensation arrangements that are subject to Section 409A for compliance with its documentary requirements and take any necessary corrective actions. Adverse tax consequences under Section 409A may include premature taxation, an additional 20% federal income tax (and possibly an additional state tax equivalent, as is the case in California), and an interest-charge tax. As mentioned in our prior Cooley Alert, IRS audits that cover compliance with Section 409A seem a near term certainty.
Childhood Obesity Costs Employers in Health Care, Productivity! - HR.BLR - February 19, 2010
(2/18) Michelle Obama has launched an initiative called ?Let's Move? that aims to reduce childhood obesity. Obama says childhood obesity has reached the level of an epidemic in the United States. Not only does it lead to adult obesity, but children with severe weight problems develop more health issues. For employers, such problems translate into increased costs for employees'family health insurance coverage for both their organization and for their employees through their benefits contributions and co-pays.
If You Knew You Couldn't Fail... - About.com - February 19, 2010
"What would you do if you knew you could not fail?"Robert H. Schuller asks a great question and, in one of the top Vancouver Olympic moments of 2010, Shaun White, snowboarding Halfpipe 2006 gold medalist, asked himself the same question.Then, he dug deep inside of himself and performed as if he knew he could not fail.Earning a 46.8 (out of 50) on his first run, he had earned the gold medal, assuming his challengers scored lower. When all of the contestants had taken their second runs, and Shaun's score continued to earn him the gold medal, he could have walked; danced; done a ceremonial, easy run; or anything he wanted. What did he choose to do?What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? He did a second run that earned him a 48.4 as he riskily tried out some of the newer moves that are defining his sport. What did Shaun do when he knew he couldn't fail? He pushed himself to do even more. According to Olympics Fanhouse: "He exploded out of the chute, zipped up the massive structure, going higher, higher, and absurdly even higher, twisting sideways, slantways, and then here it came, the beyond dangerous, spiral Double McTwist 1260 he invented earlier this winter on the private halfpipe Red Bull built him. He has said it's the hardest trick he's ever done, a double-flipping, 3.5-spinning extravaganza that winds him into a human pretzel... 'I wanted a victory lap that would be remembered,' White said. 'I achieved that.'"Each of the Olympic medal winners like Shaun, and Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso in downhill skiing, and Evan Lysacek in Figure Skating, dedicated years of practice and devotion to achieve top performance in their sports. Can you emulate them in your own work?Questions for Work SuccessIn the midst of the 2010 winter Olympics, here are questions that each of you might want to consider. Your answers say a lot about who you are, how you work, how you get along with other work players, and they highlight our methods, innovations and contributions on the playing field.What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?How many years are you willing to invest to achieve the goal?Are you a follower or does your work define your game or industry?Do you play well with othersso team mates are happy when you win? (If not me - you.)Find more Olympics coverageand the schedule.Image Copyright Getty ImagesIf You Knew You Couldn't Fail...originally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Thursday, February 18th, 2010 at 18:32:57.Permalink| Comment| Email this
How to deal with employees on adoption leave, or who are adopting a child, in a redundancy situation - The Industry Radar - February 19, 2010
This article from the XpertHR "how to" section looks at the duties that employers have towards employees on adoption leave, or who are in the process of adopting a child, in a redundancy situation, including the duty to offer them any suitable alternative employment and to carry out effective consultation with them. The article also covers the practicalities relating to the payment of statutory adoption pay, statutory redundancy pay, and pay during the notice period.
Executive Compensation: More Regulation, or Just More Transparency? - The Industry Radar - February 19, 2010
The question of whether CEOs of America's major companies are overpaid has been a subject of interest for many years. Are the compensation practices for these elite men and women fair and appropriate? Do these compensation practices provide proper incentives, or do they reward excessive caution or risk taking? Wharton accounting professors John Core and Wayne Guay have just completed a study on this topic. Guay, along with colleague Chris Armstrong, sat down with Knowledge@Wharton to discuss executive compensation and the controversies that it continues to generate.
Putting Perspective into the Challenge of Focus #management - The Industry Radar - February 19, 2010
I have not posted recently because I have been preoccupied by business travel problems - I have never had so many cancellations, reroutes, and travel delays. Sleep deprivation, bad food and missed meals, hours away from my computer, hotel rooms...
Work 'worth getting out of bed for' - Globe and Mail - The Industry Radar - February 19, 2010
Work 'worth getting out of bed for' Globe and Mail (Wind is the brand name under which Globalive Wireless Management Corp. is selling its wireless services in Canada .) From a human resources standpoint, ... and more »
Proposed EEOC Rule on ADEA Defenses - The Industry Radar - February 19, 2010
Based on the Supreme Court ADEA decisions in Smith v. Jackson, 544 U.S. 228 (2005), and Meacham v. Knolls Atomic Power Lab., 128 S.Ct. 2395 (2008), the EEOC will release today a proposed rule defining the “reasonable factor other than...
What's Love Got to Do With It? - About.com - February 12, 2010
What's love got to do with it? Quite a lot, actually. If a couple is genuinely serious about dating and building a relationship, popular opinion is often favorable. After all, where can you meet that special someone anymore? On the other hand, if a nefarious reason drives the relationship, fellow employees feel quite differently.I'm frequently asked what I think about employees dating each other at work. Recognizing that dating does have an impact on issues such as workplace morale and productivity, I'd be hard pressed to say that employee relationships have no impact. At the same time, unless one of the employees reports to the second employee, I am a strong advocate of keeping employment and the employer outside of employees' personal lives.Recognizing that work is one of the best places to meet an already vetted pool of people to date, some employers are approaching the situation creatively. As an example, what do you think about a love policyfor your workplace? Barring such a formal approach, use the ideas in today's lead article. They'll help the dating couple succeed at work. The HR staff will gratefully acknowledge the maturity exhibited in situations where tensions can run deep.All this said, as an employee, your participation in some romantic relationships at work such as a dalliance, an affair, or a quid pro quo arrangement, can impact your work environment's view of your competency, common sense, and appropriate decision making. Despite any protests about this impact from coworkers, reactions generally range from, "what was he thinking,"to sympathy for a wronged spouse, to a general questioning of the individual's maturity, judgement, and trustworthiness.Use these tips about dating, sex, and romancein the office to lay the foundation for a successful career and successful relationships.Image Copyright Susan StewartAll Topics| Most Popular| Newsletter| HR ForumWhat's Love Got to Do With It?originally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 11:11:44.Permalink| Comment| Email this
Gay-friendly workplaces boost health and productivity - The Industry Radar - February 12, 2010
Fear of social exclusion and discrimination force many employees to hide their sexual orientation in the workplace, often leading to anxiety and depression, according to Dawn Hough from Pride in Diversity,
Dorothy's Blog: Executive Coaching: what are the top success factors? - The Industry Radar - February 12, 2010
International Coaching Week continues and today I take a look at the 'Top Success Factors' reported by DBM in their recent research study, conducted in partnership with the Human Capital Institute (full copy available at ...
The role of the PBM in workers comp - The Industry Radar - February 12, 2010
Work comp drug costs account for about one-sixth of medical expenses, and are increasing at a rate appreciably higher than overall medical cost. Why? And more importantly, how are some payers able to keep drug trend negative? I've just come...
Taleo Valentine's Day Survey Finds Employees Are in Love With ... - The Industry Radar - February 12, 2010
TLEO ), the leading provider of on-demand talent management solutions, offers a timely perspective on the level of job commitment among American workers. Now in its third year, the TaleoValentin...
Model Employer CHIP Notice Published - HR.BLR - February 12, 2010
(2/11) The Department of Labor has published a model notice for employers to use to inform employees of state-based programs for group health plan premium assistance. As of January 2010, 40 states use funds from their Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to help people who are eligible for employer-sponsored health coverage and need assistance in paying their health premiums. The notice is required in these 40 states.
Communicate Tax Changes - About.com - February 8, 2010
In recent weeks, several numbers have caught my attention because of their implication for both the economy and for employers. Without a lot of comment, I am providing links to the material from this blog post and tomorrow's blog post. I'd love to see these numbers spark some discussion on the site. I am especially concerned because of what they are telling us about the changing American economy for business.It feels a bit like under the cover of darkness, the IRS has quietly published new withholding charts for 2010. These employer required withholdings are best described to employees before they believe their employer is the responsible party in their changed withholding amount. I have not seen this discussed many places, so thought I'd raise the isue for your review. In my company, our Finance VP went directly to our CPA firm to understand the implications for our employees.We did not want our employees surprised during a year when raises and bonuses have been scarce. We wanted them to have the necessary information and understand its implications for their financial circumstances, without placing blame for any changes on the employer. While the new rates for withholding may be inconsequential for some employees, others may experience up to $200.00 less in their paycheck.In a year when employee raises were scarce, any additional reduction in pay, even temporarily, may affect some employee families. So, we have announced the changes to our employees. Secondly, we do not want our employees believing that the hit to their take-home pay is something the company did, when, in fact, the new withholding amounts apply nationally to all employees.Additionally, you may want to contact your employer to adjust your withholding taxto more closely align with your expected 2010 tax obligation. There are certain circumstances under the Making Work Pay Tax Creditthat may result in your employer withholding less tax than you prefer. Find out more about the Making Work Pay Tax Credit.All Topics| Most Popular| Newsletter| HR ForumCommunicate Tax Changesoriginally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at 10:20:36.Permalink| Comment| Email this
Job Interviews Help Assess "Fit" - About.com - February 8, 2010
The job interview is a powerful factor in the employee selection process in most organizations.The job interview remains key to assessing the candidate's cultural fit. The job interview remains the tool you can use to get to know your candidate on a more personal basis. The job interview process helps other employees "own"the new employee who joins your organization.Don't base your hiring decisions completely on the job interview - some research indicates that a positive job interview only increases the likelihood of your hiring an excellent employee by 2%. So, consider other important factors such as reference checksand background checksand work experience, too. But, don't underestmate the power of the job interviewin selecting employees.Image Copyright Steve ColeAll Topics| Most Popular| Newsletter| HR ForumJob Interviews Help Assess "Fit"originally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 10:11:03.Permalink| Comment| Email this
Succession Success Steps - The Industry Radar - February 8, 2010
Implementing an effective succession plan can produce big results in an organization. The Bersin &Associates Case Study, Hardwiring Performance Measurement: North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System Focuses on Talent Management to Increase Patient Care Quality, describes how the health care leader transformed their culture using small successful changes:By looking at the entire employee lifecycle, from hiring to career development to succession, the health system was able to systematically and rapidly make overall improvements in talent management, company culture and business results.In particular, North Shore-LIJ identified key positions, developed high-potential employees, and created talent pools for succession management....
and we're going to strip-search you before the job interview - The Industry Radar - February 8, 2010
A reader writes:After filling out an online application, I received an email from the (large and well-known) employer asking that I return to their career website to provide my date of birth, social security number, and driver's license number. They added that they will only use the information to begin a background check if I were to receive and accept a job offer from them.Is it weird for a company to ask me for this information and consent (permission to do background check) before even a phone interview or any preliminary step like that? Maybe I am paranoid or maybe it's just that I've never had any organization ask for this immediately upon applying before, but it kinda seems like doing things out of order to me -- like if they wanted to do a credit check on me when I'm one of five final candidates, fine -- but just for...
Hard times shouldn't mean soft ERISA compliance - The Industry Radar - February 8, 2010
Our friends at Employee Benefit News Legal Alertpublished one of those "must read" articles. Attorney Cynthia Marcotte Stamer writes Tough Times Are No Excuse for ERISA Shortcuts.Ms. Stamer correctly points out that irrespective of the business hardships that plan sponsors are facing, the Department of Labor (DOL) will aggressively pursue enforcement if they perceive that a plan sponsor has failed take the necessary steps to protect plan participants.Here are three key points she makes:Many employers don't understand their fiduciary...
Caution When Conducting Background Checks - The Industry Radar - February 8, 2010
All too often when HR professionals are looking to conduct background checks on applicants, they first delve into the issue of price and then, maybe but not likely, delve into the issue of competence, integrity and accuracy. An interesting post...
How Will New ADA Regulations Impact Your Company? - HR.BLR - February 8, 2010
(2/8) Given the broader definition of ?disability? included in the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 and recent Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance, education is employers? main line of defense against disability-related claims, according to Janine Yancey, J.D., SPHR.
Employees Who Work from Home on the Rise - HR.BLR - February 8, 2010
(2/8) The number of people who worked at home increased from about 9.5 million in 1999 to about 11.3 million in 2005, according to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau. Nearly half of these home workers had college degrees and nearly half of them earned $75,000 a year or more.
SOX Whistleblowers Entitled to Restart Cases in Federal Court, Fourth Circuit Confirms. - ELINFONET.com - January 29, 2010
Following a decision of the federal appeals court in Richmond, employers may have to expect to defend against Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) whistleblower claims at the federal court level even after they have done so through trial at the administrative level. In a matter of first impression, the appeals court has clarified that SOX whistleblower claimants are entitled to de novo review (a fresh hearing on their claim) in federal district court if the Department of Labor (DOL) has not issued a final decision on the claim within the 180-day statutory period allotted for such action.
Tax Court: Settlement Payment for Workplace Stress that Exacerbated Physical Condition Not Taxable Income - ELINFONET.com - January 29, 2010
In Domeny v. Commissioner, the U.S. Tax Court held that an employee's settlement payment for allegations that work-related stress exacerbated a physical condition was excludable from taxable income under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 104(a)(2).2
Congress Extends COBRA Subsidy to HelpWorkers (pdf). - ELINFONET.com - January 29, 2010
Congress gave recession weary familiessome good news just before its Decemberrecess. In a move designed to help familiesretain their employer sponsored insurance,Congress extended last years COBRA subsidy. The news couldnt have come at a better time for families looking at the looming December 31 cutoff for the subsidy.
SEC Adopts New Rules for Enhanced Compensation and Corporate Governance Disclosure. - ELINFONET.com - January 29, 2010
On December 16, 2009, in response to the recent demand by investors for increased transparency and corporate accountability, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved new rules requiring enhanced proxy disclosure.
Of Faithless Servants and Efficient Breaches - The Industry Radar - January 29, 2010
From the man bites dog perspective, I always perk up a little when an employer sues an employee. This happens relatively rarely (and most often as a counterclaim when the employer is trying to up the ante for settlement purposes)....
Connecting In Person Still Critical In The Digital Age - The Industry Radar - January 29, 2010
Yesterday, I attended #connectHR and it was, by all measures, a smashing success. Even for a guy who has pretty great luck working a room and talking to new people, I don’t think I got through the entire guest list of over 100 people in a little over two hours. What I continue to find [...]
SaaS Solutions Continue to Emerge for HR « HRO Insights - The Industry Radar - January 25, 2010
MidlandHR's iTrent software is a web-based, integrated HR and payroll system which helps its clients tackle HR issues such as payroll, talent management , succession planning, recruitment and absence management ...
Relapse Prevention – A helpful metaphor for making training stick - The Industry Radar - January 25, 2010
If you’re reading this article you’re probably a big believer in the concept of interval reinforcement – or follow-up – to make training stick. I came across an interesting study from the United States Air Force Institute of Technology. The survey examined which “training transfer” strategiesmost effectively ensured that people retained what they [...]
Strategies 2010: Harnessing the Power of People - Talent Management Tech - The Industry Radar - January 25, 2010
Strategies 2010: Harnessing the Power of...
Jobs You Want and Jobs To Stay Away From - The Industry Radar - January 25, 2010
That's the theme of our Friday links as we get you ready for the weekend on the day a decade-old age discrimination suit was settled by the TV networks and studios according to The Wrap Fortune and CNNMoney have the 100 best companies to work for--which may be an even more important list than the Fortune 500. Glassdoor.com has their list of the best 50 places to work for (I wonder how many of those overlap...?) Media Bistro (the website where I actually found this job and why I'm blogging to you right now) has a list of the most desired media jobs of 2009 Complain about your job? FoundValue Blog has 10 jobs they promise are...(THIS IS ONLY A PREVIEW. PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE OR CHECK OUT ASTRON'S BLOG AT http://astronsolutionsworldofhr.blogspot.com/ FOR THE FULL ARTICLE)...
Federal HR Meets Social Media - Nextgov - The Industry Radar - January 25, 2010
Federal HR Meets Social...
Develop a Policy - About.com - January 18, 2010
Requests this winter are running high for more policies and procedures, in case you wondered why I've written several in 2009. I also received several requests for employee handbook introductionsand employee sign-offsin which employees acknowledge receipt of the handbook and the company Standards of Conduct. No amount of verbiage and sign-offs will keep you totally safe in our current legal quagmire, but my proffered samples send you down the right path. I trust you find these samples helpful.Additionally, dress codes(who would have thunk?) and resignation lettersare popular with readers as well as candidate rejection letters.Please let me know what else you'd like to see on the site.More Resources About PoliciesHow to Develop a Policy: Sample Policies.Employment at Will Sample Policy.Forms for Hiring.All Topics| Most Popular| Newsletter| HR ForumDevelop a Policyoriginally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Sunday, January 17th, 2010 at 11:28:27.Permalink| Comment| Email this
The Power Of Not Being Positive - Forbes - January 18, 2010
Failure is an option. It's how you cope with it that counts.
Six Tips On Hiring A Business Coach - Forbes - January 18, 2010
It seems like everyone is peddling advice. Now to cut wheat from chaff.
New Obligation to Self-Report Excise Taxes for Group Health Plan Failures. - ELINFONET.com - January 18, 2010
Until now, no mandate or procedure has existed for employers to self-report excise taxes due under the Internal Revenue Code for violations of the duties imposed by COBRA, HIPAA and other laws relating to group health plans. The IRS has seldom assessed these excise taxes on audit.
The Senate's Turn at Shaping Health Care Reform - Reconciliation Awaits. - ELINFONET.com - January 18, 2010
On December 24, 2009, the United States Senate passed its version of Health Care Reform, known as thePatient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590). Presently, the House and Senate Democraticleaderships are negotiating a compromise version of Health Care Reform with an articulated goal ofachieving fi nal passage by Congress by the end of January or early February (in time for President Obamas yet-to-be-scheduled State of the Union address).
How to Resolve Conflict as a Leader - The Industry Radar - January 18, 2010
It’s not the easiest of tasks being a leader – yes, you do have the advantage of holding a fancy title and commanding the troops, but on the downside, when something goes wrong, you’re the first one in the firing line. To prove that you’re a good and capable leader, you need to show that you can handle adverse situations adroitly; anyone can cope when the going is good; it’s when things start to go wrong that you need someone strong to step in and take charge. One way to prove that you’re a genuine and capable leader is to resolve conflicts that arise amidst your team, amicably and without any permanent repercussions. To do this, guest blogger Shannon Willis suggeststhat you:Listen to both sides: When you fail to listen to both aggrieved parties, you show your prejudice and bias, traits that a leader should stay far away from. You must hear both sides of the ...
The rise of the permanent temporary workforce - MSNBC - The Industry Radar - January 18, 2010
On a recent Tuesday morning, single mom Tammy DePew Smith woke up in her tidy Florida townhouse in time to shuttle her oldest daughter, a high school freshman, to the 6:11 a.m. bus. At 6:40 she was at the desk in her bedroom, starting her first shift ...
10 things to do in 2010 - The Industry Radar - January 18, 2010
While we are still in the first few weeks of the new year I through it would be good to look at come of the things you should focus on during 2010 to.In no particular order here is my list of 10 things to do in 2010:Have an HR/Talent Management/Recruiting application blueprint The IT environment in [...]
Top 10 office jargon of the noughties - The Industry Radar - January 18, 2010
Our old friends at Office Angelshave sifted through the archives and compiled their top 10 list of office jargon that has graced the workplace through the noughties. Guru thinks there are some real classic here:We need the right pin numbers (we need it to work)A lighthouse on a cloudy night (coming up with a good/bright idea)I'm coming into this with an open kimono (throwing an idea out into the open but being open to criticism)Let's touch base about this offline (lets meet up face-to-face)Finger in the air figure (just an estimate)I think someone needs a bite of the reality sandwich (someone needs to think a bit more practically)Let's run that idea up the flagpole and see if it flies (simply trying out an...
How Are Small Businesses Surviving? - HR.BLR - January 18, 2010
(1/15) TriNet, an HR outsourcing firm, recently invited two of its customers, both CEOs of small, entrepreneurial firms, to participate in a Webinar, sharing their strategies for survival in a recessionary economy. The session was moderated by Burton Goldfield, CEO of TriNet, which provides payroll services, recruitment, benefits administration, and other HR services to some 8,000 such firms.
Caution Reigns in Forecasting 2010 Pay - HR.BLR - January 18, 2010
(1/13) According to 124 Fortune 500 and other multi-national companies surveyed in late October 2009, US salaries are likely to improve during 2010. The same companies are not as optimistic about bonuses, though.
Wage & Hour Update: Failure To Pay Travel Expenses Costs Starbucks Millions - Site Headlines - January 18, 2010
A recent class action brought by Starbucks employees serves as a reminder to employers on the topic of travel expenses. The federal court employee class action alleged that Starbucks failed to reimburse employees for their travel expenses. The lead plaintiff, Jonelle Lewis, worked in a retail management positions at a Starbucks in California's Amador County community of Martell. During her year and one half of employment, she regularly used her personal vehicle to perform work-related duties. The duties included making bank deposits, getting supplies from vendors, and attending meetings. Ms. Lewis alleged that on several occasions when she and others requested reimbursement for mileage, they were advised that, as a matter of company policy, Starbucks does not reimburse employees for mileage expenses.
The 10 Most Frustrating Employee Work Habits & What You Can Do to Prevent Them - Site Headlines - January 18, 2010
We've all experienced it, or at least know someone who has: an employee who is habitually late to work, takes extended coffee breaks, or makes personal calls during work time - and leaves you or your co-workers to pick up the pieces. Work habits like these can put a damper on your bottom line. But, with a few simple changes you can turn these challenging employees into your star employees.
Understanding your New & Pre-existing COBRA Requirements - Site Headlines - January 18, 2010
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget & Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is designed to permit individuals who would otherwise lose their health insurance coverage to continue coverage through their employer, or former employer, at group rates. Employees electing COBRA coverage are responsible for paying the full premium themselves and may be required to pay a 2% administrative fee. COBRA applies to employers with 20 or more employees who offer group health insurance. However, many states have enacted their own COBRA requirements which cover employers with less than 20 employees. Download our COBRA Continuation by State form to determine whether or not your state has specific guidelines on the issue.
Top 10 Ways to Increasing Productivity & Better Time Management - Site Headlines - January 18, 2010
Are you struggling in the effort to make your small business successful? Does it feel like you are working harder and you still don't see the results you desire? Or maybe you want to grow your business to the next level of success. Let's take a look at the top 10 ways to increasing productivity and better time management.
What Employees are Experiencing, Thinking and Feeling -- Employee Satisfaction Surveys & Employee Engagement Surveys - Site Headlines - January 18, 2010
Employee satisfaction is a key driver of employee engagement, and employee engagement in turn is a key driver of customer satisfaction and loyalty, employee retention, productivity, sales, overall organizational performance and profit.
MEET GINA: A FAQ ON THE NEW GENETIC INFORMATION NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT (GINA). - ELINFONET.com - December 29, 2009
Congress has done it again. The new Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act ("GINA") prohibits discrimination against employees and job applicants on the basis of "genetic information". This law was signed into law by President Bush on May 21, 2008 and became effective on November 21, 2009. We have prepared this FAQ to familiarize you with the new law and the many obligations it imposes on employers.
Ignorance of Blog Law No Excuse. - ELINFONET.com - December 29, 2009
Blogs are booming. Employees are now using these Internet diaries to broadcast information and opinions worldwide. Inevitably, some of those employees will post hostile, false, or confidential information about their employers and fellow employees.
Court Says Resigning Employee May Copy Sensitive Company Files - HR.BLR - December 29, 2009
(12/28) Chances are, unless you have a dedicated IT department that monitors employee file access, you have no idea whether employees are copying or transferring company files. Although you may not be able to entirely prevent your employees from copying company files, as one employer recently learned, it?s critical to have a policy in place that prohibits them from doing so.
OK to Fire Worker for Skipping Drug Test? - HR.BLR - December 29, 2009
(12/28) A North Carolina transportation worker summoned home for a family emergency left work without taking a drug test required that day. Did the DOT fire him legally?
‘Twas the Night Before the HR Carnival - The Industry Radar - December 29, 2009
An early Christmas present (or belated Chanukah present) for all you HR folks – not only is the latest HR Carnival now up over at PseudoHR, but April Dowling, the PseudoHR leader, has turned it into a festive HR version of the Night Before Christmas! So go grab a cup of egg nog or some [...]
Assessing the Benefits of Human Resources Outsourcing - Hr Morning - The Industry Radar - December 29, 2009
Assessing the Benefits of Human Resources Outsourcing Hr Morning Cost and time savings make outsourcing human resources an attractive option for many businesses. However, working with a sub-standard provider can be ...
Top 10 Don'ts When You Fire an Employee - About.com - December 29, 2009
I don't know many people who want to fire a fellow employee. Coworkers can get angry when it seems that a coworker is not contributing. In fact, in the realm of motivation, one of the most important weaknesses of management is failure to take action when an employee is failing. Coworkers become demotivated when they see another employee "getting away with"low or no contribution.This week's new article focuses on ten things you don't want to do when you fire an employee. Of course, your goal is to minimize the potential for a lawsuit and to avoid scaring or worrying successful continuing employees. But, you also want to protect the feelings of the people who must fire the employee and the self-esteem of the individual whose employment is terminated. A reputation as an employer of choice rises and falls on many components, but how people are treated - or how people perceive they were treated - is huge in the world of reputation. What are your top don'ts when you fire an employee?Know and Live Your Values - Ten Day ProcessYesterday, on the ten day success journey, you focused on building and promoting your own personal growth and development as a person and as a member of a workplace. Today, you'll need to focus even more deeply and look inside to determine your values. Articulating these values is another important step in the ten day success program.
Roby v. McKesson – Harassment v. Discrimination - The Industry Radar - December 21, 2009
The California Supreme Court recently ruled on the Case of Roby v. McKesson which is, among other things, a study on what not to do as a manager.Charlene Roby worked for McKesson Corporation for 25 years, most recently in a warehouse position processing orders. During her last few years at McKesson, Ms. Roby began [...]
Should we still call it Human “Resources”? « Enlightened Purpose - The Industry Radar - December 21, 2009
Should we still call it Human Resources ? Or is there a better way to describe what HR professionals do? If people are to be viewed as more than assets, then maybe we need to change the title of Human “Resources ” to reflect the changes ...
U.S. Sugar Pays $15.9M to Settle ERISA Claims - HR.BLR - December 8, 2009
(12/7) Clewiston, Florida-based U.S. Sugar has agreed to pay $15.9 million to settle a breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit brought by 4,000 current and former employees and other shareholders.
Could She Have Been Accommodated? - HR.BLR - December 8, 2009
(12/7) An employee of a Connecticut manufacturer developed a respiratory illness as a result of inhaling chemical fumes in the plant. She took a year?s medical leave and then was cleared to return to work?as long as she worked away from such fumes. Several jobs were available, but she wasn?t qualified for any except on the factory floor. She refused to wear a respirator, was fired, and sued.
Survey Design 101 – Part 1: What to Ask and How - The Industry Radar - December 8, 2009
Guest Author: Stephen B. Jeong, Ph.D. It’s time for that annual “all-hands” annual employee survey! You’re charged with going to your employees and asking “how are we (as a company) doing?” Putting together a set of survey questions may seem fairly intuitive – and it is… for the most part. However, there are at least a [...]
To Drink or Not to Drink -- Not - About.com - December 8, 2009
Okay, my suspicions are confirmed. The majority of the holiday office party gaffes described by readersare fueled by too much alcohol drinking.Some readers are telling tales about themselves, and their usually, early career mishaps. In fact, if people didn't drink, and in some cases, didn't talk, there would be no holiday blunders worth telling about. How bad is that?I have written about drinking at office holiday partiesin the past. They are a particularly poor stage for bad behavior as your coworkers never forget and your actions may well affect your careerin the future. People act subconsciously. You won't often see a manager look at a promotional opportunity and say, "Well, Mary was so drunk at the office party, how can we ever be sure she will exhibit good judgment on these accounts."While a manager can think these thoughts, it's more likely that the decision maker is subtly affected by the bad behavior. Mary won't get the job and she will never know exactly why - but, she may suspect.If you don't want to burn bridges this holiday season, set two glasses of wine or two beers as your limit. A client company's employees schedule a monthly event called 2BeerFriday so that people attending understand the expectations and don't overdo the drinking. If good sense doesn't control your party behavior, perhaps peer pressure will. One can only hope that each employee takes personal responsibilityfor their office party behavior.Do read the article for examples of ways to minimize the impact of alcohol at your office holiday events. Be safe; be smart. Enjoy each other without the alcohol crutch this holiday season.Image Copyright Ekaterina MonakhovaAll Topics| Most Popular| Newsletter| HR ForumBe a Technorati Fan| Follow Me On TwitterTo Drink or Not to Drink -- Notoriginally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Sunday, December 6th, 2009 at 14:01:11.Permalink| Comment| Email this
Corporate Supported Philanthropy Is Motivational - About.com - December 8, 2009
You want involved, engaged, satisfied employees. You also want to be a good corporate citizen with the reputation as an employer of choiceso that you attract and retain the best employees.At the same time, you need to make a profit so you can make money, pay employees, see what you can create, ever more effectively listen to and serve your customers, and provide a work environment in which people want to contribute. You want more than their forty hours; you want the discretionary energy that employees decide whether to contribute at work - or not. Successful departments, functions, and companies get it all.Corporate Philanthropy for Employee MotivationLarge corporations generally have well-defined corporate philanthropy programs that may include foundations, major event sponsorship, and corporation-wide employee involvement in volunteerism and organized giving, often to a well-organized charity such as United Way. But, corporate philanthropypresents an astonishing opportunity for small to mid-sized companies and organizations, too.Key to the success of your corporate philanthropy efforts is the enthusiasm of the team that leads the charge, That team's understanding about what fellow employees find motivating and interesting is another key to success. A range of activities that include volunteering, cash donations, cash donations with a company match up to a certain limit, and run/walk-type activities for active employees involve all employee groups.Corporate philanthropy can range from a can of food donated at a holiday food and clothing collection event to a developer volunteering to build a website for a local nonprofit over a weekend. Employees have tutored students in subjects necessary for their profession and supported local nonprofits that promote learning in their field of work. Your only limit is the imagination of your employees.All Topics| Most Popular| Newsletter| HR ForumBe a Technorati Fan| Follow Me On TwitterCorporate Supported Philanthropy Is Motivationaloriginally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Monday, December 7th, 2009 at 01:47:07.Permalink| Comment| Email this
Warning: long-term side effects of recession may include… - The Industry Radar - November 30, 2009
Per this recent report from HumanCapitalInstitute and Monster, 84% of employers feel that their employees are loyal and content to have a job...
Enable a Mentor's Contribution to Your Success - The Industry Radar - November 30, 2009
Working with a client group, we identified the characteristicsof the employees who had mentored them during their developmental years.They added what they wished mentors had provided. I added my own thoughts about successful mentorsthat I and others have experienced and known. The compiled list is the 15 most important characteristics of successful mentors.Does...
Dan Pink on Why Financial Rewards Suck for Motivating Performance - The Industry Radar - November 30, 2009
Dan Pink makes a compelling case in his Ted Talk that financial rewards undermine performance in tasks that require creativity and complex problem-solving. As he says in the talk, this strong evidence about the negative effects of financial rewards runs...
10 Tips for Retaining Your Top Performers in 2010 - HR.BLR - November 20, 2009
(11/19) The staffing firm Robert Half Technology has created tips for retaining your top performers during 2010.
Facebook – beyond the 20-somethings - The Industry Radar - November 20, 2009
Facebook used to be a tool limited to recruiting the 20-somethings. Now you can snag older folks too.
Presenteeism - as much of a problem as absenteeism? - The Industry Radar - November 20, 2009
Research carried out by business psychologists Robertson Cooper has found that a quarter of those surveyed have gone to work while ill. While presenteeism is a complex issue, a growing number of people feel compelled to turn up at the...
USCIS Plans Surge in H-1B Worksite Inspections. - ELINFONET.com - November 13, 2009
The U.S Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has commenced an investigation initiative to increase dramatically the number of worksite inspections of the employment of H-1B foreign workers. H-1B visas are commonly obtained by U.S. companies in order to employ skilled foreign workers in specialty occupations. The on-site inspections will focus on employers compliance with the employment terms of their foreign workers immigration petitions.
Cheesecake Factory Settles Suit Alleging Same-Sex Harassment - HR.BLR - November 13, 2009
(11/12) The restaurant chain Cheesecake Factory has agreed to pay $345,000 to settle an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) lawsuit alleging that that six male employees were subjected to repeated sexual harassment at a restaurant in Arizona.
Did Salespeople Actually Receive Commission? - HR.BLR - November 13, 2009
(11/10) A St. Louis company paid its salespeople a base salary plus a percentage of profits from their individual sales. Several salespeople sued the company because they thought that the company was not properly paying them their commissions. The trial court dismissed the case, finding that the salespeople did not receive commissions at all and so could not sue for penalties related to nonpayment of commissions.
Court Finds a Breach of Fiduciary Duty Despite Clear Statement in SPD that Employer Could Amend Retiree Medical Plan. - ELINFONET.com - November 6, 2009
In re Unisys Corporation Retiree Medical Benefits ERISA Litigation, 579 F. 3d 220 (3d Cir. 2009), the fourth decision in the long running Unisys Corporation (Unisys) litigation, held that Unisys breached its fiduciary duty by not informing retirees that Unisys retained the right to change the terms of their retiree medical benefits. In reaching this conclusion, the court rejected Unisys' key arguments that (1) there was no need to inform the individuals of Unisys' right to amend because no amendments were being contemplated at the time, (2) the Summary Plan Description (SPD) Unisys distributed expressly stated that Unisys retained the right to amend the plan, and (3) the injunction compelling Unisys to reinstate the plan without the right to change benefits impermissibly restricted Unisys in its capacity as a settlor. The court reasoned that: in context, Unisys' statements amounted to a misrepresentation; the language in the SPD was irrelevant because Unisys did not distribute the SPD until after the individuals had retired; and the right to equitable relief trumped Unisys' rights as a settlor.
Union's "Orchestrated" Refusal To Work Overtime Found Unlawful. - ELINFONET.com - November 6, 2009
A federal appeals court recently ruled that United Healthcare Workers West, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), violated federal law by telling housekeepers and linen aides at a San Francisco hospital to refuse to perform overtime work without giving the hospital ten-days prior notice.
Swine Flu Threat Good For Unions? - ELINFONET.com - November 6, 2009
Using scare tactics to drum up fear has long been used by unions to generate unhappy employees, and to provide a good environment for unionization. Some unions are now using the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, to create controversy, rather than unifying and assisting hospitals and other industry employers in preparing for a possible pandemic. Finding a topic to exploit with workers is nothing new, and using a topic that scares many and can create a panic is just icing on the cake.
Avoiding Social-Networking Snafus. - ELINFONET.com - November 6, 2009
On September 15, 2009, Facebook announced that it served 300 million users worldwide. By comparison, on October 1, 2009, the United States Census Bureau's website indicated that the population of the United States was approximately 307.5 million.
Staffing Companies Face Potential Exposure for Interview Time. - ELINFONET.com - November 6, 2009
In a putative class action pending in the federal court for the Northern District of California, Sullivan v. Kelly Services, Inc. (Case No. C 08-3893 CW), Judge Claudia Wilken, ruling on cross motions for summary judgment, has held that the time spent interviewing by a Kelly Services employee seeking temporary work assignments with Kelly Services' clients is compensable under California law. However, Judge Wilken also ruled that the time spent preparing for and commuting to the client interviews was not compensable, nor was Kelly Services required to reimburse the employees for expenses incurred in attending the interviews.
New FMLA Expansion: Employers Should Act Now - HR.BLR - November 6, 2009
(11/5) President Barack Obama last week signed legislation that makes several changes to the family military leave provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act. Employers should act now to make the necessary changes.
Productivity Increases at 6-Year High; Hours Worked Continue to Fall - HR.BLR - November 6, 2009
(11/5) Labor productivity increased at an annual rate of 9.5 percent during the third quarter of 2009, the largest gain in productivity since the third quarter of 2003, according a preliminary report by the Department of Labor?s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The HR Profession « Entry HR Blog - The Industry Radar - November 6, 2009
I believe that the purpose of the Human Resources profession is to help companies achieve their objectives through the management of their most important assets, the people who work for them. This is accomplished primarily through ...
Flexible Workplace Briefing - The Industry Radar - November 6, 2009
Last week, Workplace Flexibility 2010 held a congressional briefing on ways to improve the availability of flexible work arrangements. BNA's Daily Labor Report (subscription required) reported on the briefing, which included speakers from numerous employer and employee groups. Some of...
When is the change going to be over? - The Industry Radar - November 6, 2009
An executive my wife knows reported one of her people recently asked her this question. The last couple years have been tough on all of of us, and especially tough on people who had assumed that the future would be...
Investing in Your Most Important Asset: You - The Industry Radar - November 6, 2009
Reuters - Found 11 hours agoThis week: Investing in your most important asset, your human capital.Investing in Your Most Important Asset: You- Earthtimes.orgInvesting in Your Most Important Asset: You Investing in Yourself ...- PR insideInvesting in Your Most Important Asset: You- Marketwire via Yahoo!...
Onboarding: 5 tips to get it right so you don't lose new hires - The Industry Radar - November 6, 2009
To increase the productivity and effectiveness of new workers -- and make them want to stay -- organizations should ensure on - More -
Pursue Happiness at Work - About.com - November 6, 2009
Next week is Pursuit of Happiness Week, so I'm featuring some articles about how to manage those aspects of your work life that contribute to your happiness at work. Getting along with your bossand holding on to your jobare excellent places to start if you value success and happiness at work.The best place to start first is to love your work. If you love your work, just about everything work related can be managed. Consider subscribing to my weekly newsletter, Your Tip of the Week for Success in Work and Life. In a hurry? Try Ten Days to a Happier, More Successful Career and Life.Image Copyright Tom Fullum / Getty ImagesAll Topics| Most Popular| Newsletter| HR ForumBe a Technorati Fan| Follow Me On TwitterPursue Happiness at Workoriginally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 19:21:39.Permalink| Comment| Email this
Will You Be Ready For Section 409A Compliance Audits? - ELINFONET.com - October 30, 2009
IRS audits that cover compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code seem a near term certainty.[1] As a result, employers should take steps now to ensure that their deferred compensation arrangements are in compliance with the documentary and operational requirements of Section 409A. Adverse tax consequences under Section 409A may include premature taxation, an additional 20% federal income tax (and possibly an additional state tax equivalent, as is the case in California), and an interest-charge tax.
Congress Expands Military FMLA Leave. - ELINFONET.com - October 30, 2009
Less than a year after the Department of Labor issued regulations implementing and clarifying new forms of military-related FMLA leave, Congress has approved measures that will substantially expand the scope of these provisions. On October 28, 2009, President Obama signed into law the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, which among other things extends eligibility for "qualifying exigencies" and military caregiver leave to a larger population of employees. The legislation does not include an effective date, suggesting that it took effect immediately upon the President's signature.
New EEOC Workplace Poster Now Available for Employers. - ELINFONET.com - October 30, 2009
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has revised the workplace notice that employers covered by federal anti-discrimination laws must post to reflect the requirements of the new Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act and the changes made by the ADA Amendments Act.
Retirement Plans Must Be Amended Before Year End. - ELINFONET.com - October 30, 2009
The end of the calendar year is soon approaching. For sponsors of qualified benefit plans, this means that plan amendments must be adopted and certain notices may need to be distributed. Below is a summary of the major amendments and notices that apply to most qualified retirement plans. The IRS has also released the new retirement plan limits for 2010 that are available here. During the year end flurry of activity, employers need to focus on these deadlines, notice requirements and new limits. If employers have not yet been contacted by their plan's service provider, employers should take action now to avoid being in noncompliance.
Employment Law Supreme Court Roundup in 2009. - ELINFONET.com - October 30, 2009
The 2008 term of the United States Supreme Court did not see as many major labor and employment law cases as the previous term. Even so, a number of high-profile and otherwise significant employment cases made their way onto the court's docket. The following is a summary of the major cases decided in 2009 from the Court's 2008 term.
Describe Your Worst Job - Ever - About.com - October 30, 2009
At some point in most careers, you will have had a job that you hated. No matter whether your worst joboffered you lousy or distasteful work, a boss you hated, or coworkers who constantly undermined you or complained, you remember the job as your worst job - ever.I thought back over my career, and mind you, because I have been writing and consulting for years, I have not taken any jobs except for clients I loved and for whom I really thought I could make a difference, in a long time. But, in the earlier days, I worked at a GM education center as a management development specialist.I really liked the director, the clients, and the work, but my immediate boss was petty, self-serving, and a tyrant who wanted her way all of the time. Plus, coming out of 16 years in an education setting, I was first of all, used to running things, but secondly, I felt as if I was, once again, managing another school - the environment I had just left - on purpose.The job gave me connections, however, and I was soon able to move to a GM plant where I learned a whole new world - and even became friends with my former boss when I no longer reported to her. If that opportunity had not come up, however, I would have spent all of my time job searching to get rid of a bad bossand a public sector repeat career in an industry setting.I also worked as a Good Humor ice cream truck substitute driver during the summer of the Detroit riots in 1967. But, I loved that job, and its unexpected dire environment, is a story for another day.Okay, I've shared my worst job story. What's yours? Compared to the stories I regularly hear about on this website, my story is mild, and fortunately, I got out of there quickly.Please share your worst job - ever- story.Image Copyright BobbieoAll Topics| Most Popular| Newsletter| HR ForumBe a Technorati Fan| Follow Me On TwitterDescribe Your Worst Job - Everoriginally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 01:29:02.Permalink| Comment| Email this
Obama Signs FMLA Expansion - HR.BLR - October 29, 2009
(10/29) President Obama has signed legislation that expands coverage of "exigency leave"and "servicemember caregiver leave"under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Normative Data for Employee Surveys – Worth the Spend? - The Industry Radar - October 29, 2009
Guest Author: Stephen B. Jeong, Ph.D. As a child, whenever I would screw up, my mother always said, “Why can’t you be more like Billy?” Billy was a straight-A student who excelled in every sport with which he was involved – an all-around “wunderkind” who could do no wrong. Needless to say, I didn’t like being [...]
How To Find Unintended Consequences in Your Incentive &Reward Program - The Industry Radar - October 29, 2009
$25,000,000 Bonus A $1,000,000 mansion What do these have in common? Simple - they are things you would probably do something different to get. You might sky dive, you might bungee jump, you might make a few more cold calls every day. In other words they could influence your behavior if you were given the opportunity to earn them. And they are huge awards. So huge in fact, you might do something outside your normal...
Holiday Season Retail Hiring Expected to Be Flat - Washington Post - The Industry Radar - October 19, 2009
Holiday Season Retail Hiring Expected to Be Flat Washington Post "Labor is the most adaptive of the resources in their production equation," said Robert Yerex, chief economist at Kronos , a workforce consulting firm. ...
How and Why Did You Pick HR? - The Industry Radar - October 19, 2009
Everyone has a story about how they came to work in Human Resources management. And your stories are thoughtful and interesting. Consequently, with our new reader submission tool, one of the first opportunities I created was to ask you why and how you chose a career in HR.
Earlier, readers shared some stories about transitioning to HRfrom other fields. But now, I'm looking for your basic story. Out of all the available careers, why and how did you
...2010 Benefit Plan Contribution Limits Just Released by IRS - The Industry Radar - October 19, 2009
2010 Benefit Plan Contribution Limits 401(a)(17)/ 404(l) Annual Compensation 245,000 402(g)(1) Elective Deferrals (Your 401(k) Contribution Limit) 16,500 408(p)(2)(E) SIMPLE Maximum Contributions 11,500 414(q)(1)(B) HCE Threshold 110,000 414(v)(2)(B)(i) Catch-up Contributions 5,500 415(b)(1)(A) DB Limits 195,000 415(c)(1)(A) DC Limits 49,000...
should i include a job I was fired from on my resume? - The Industry Radar - October 19, 2009
A reader writes:
I was just terminated from my job. I was five days before being off probation and two days away from my first big job event (I plan and run conferences). Without any prior notice, meeting, or confrontation, I was ushered into my department head’s office and told that in order to make a strong team, she needed to let me go immediately. I asked if there was any particular cause or option for a re-negotiation, but was told that since I was still in my probationary period, they were within their rights to terminate me at any time. At that point security came in and ushered me to my office to collect my things and leave the building. It was all quite dramatic.
Of course, I understand the rules. I am, however, at a bit of a loss on how to move on from here. I had been out of work for five months prior to this position and worked there for 2.5...
Can HR Transform Itself Into A Talent-Centric Service Provider - The Industry Radar - October 19, 2009
...not only the right strategy, but also a greater involvement of the HR leaders in talent management - both internal and external.
10 Rules for Hiring Unpaid Interns - Workforce Management - The Industry Radar - October 19, 2009
Earn Employee Commitment - About.com - October 19, 2009
Commitment from employees is a powerful gift. Commitment from employees is also a fragile gift. Ensure that your work environment challenges employees to grow and stretch in their ability to contribute.
But, realize that your work environment must also nurture employees in employee-friendly ways. For characteristics such as contribution, growth, and challenge to flourish, an employee-oriented workplace must also emphasize softer - but harder to create - characteristics such as empowerment, effective communication, and employee morale boosting activities.
There are so many ways to injure employee commitmentthat understanding some of the factors that go into creating a work environment that is team work promotingis critical. Team work is successful in organizations that pay attention to these factors.
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Earn Employee Commitmentoriginally appeared on About.com Human Resourceson Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 19:00:06.
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Nightmare Interviews - About.com - September 29, 2009
On the subject of what could people possibly be thinking, once upon a time, I interviewed a candidate for a professional sales and marketing position. She had driven in from...
Bias Suit Involves Other Employees'Fragrances - HR.BLR - September 11, 2009
(9/10) The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit accusing a grocery store of violating federal law by refusing to accommodate a pharmacy worker who is severely allergic to cosmetic fragrances.
More Cuts than Additions to Payrolls for End of 2009 - HR.BLR - September 11, 2009
(9/10) There are more employers who expect a decrease in their payrolls over the next 3 months than there are employers who expect an increase, according to a survey of 28,000 employers by Manpower, Inc.
Contracts Are Not About Trust - About.com - September 11, 2009
Implementing contracts with employees after the fact is always an approach fraught with difficulty. Some employees will take signing a non compete agreement or a non disclosure contract,...
Celebrate Labor Day Week: What Do You Do for a Living? - About.com - September 8, 2009
Let's celebrate Labor Day week and dedicate it to all people who work. Please share what you do for a living.I spend time on long holiday weekends thinking about my...
Ask for a Pay Raise in a Tough Economy - About.com - September 8, 2009
Earlier last week, I wrote about how to obtain a pay raise during tough economic times in a blog post. The topic proved so popular that I expanded the post...
Online Job Ads Show Some Bright Spots - HR.BLR - September 1, 2009
(8/31) Employers advertised 169,000 more jobs in August than they did in July, according to a report by the Conference Board.
Employers Look to Performance-Based Awards During 2009 - HR.BLR - September 1, 2009
(8/31) Spending on performance-based bonuses for exempt workers has grown from 10.8 percent of payroll in 2008 to 12.0 percent of payroll in 2009, according to a survey of large employers by Hewitt Associates, a consulting firm. In 2009, employers also dedicated a larger percentage of their payrolls to bonuses for nonexempt employees.
Most Employers Expect to Add Staff - HR.BLR - September 1, 2009
(8/31) Fifty-three percent of employers say they plan to hire full-time employees in the next 12 months, according to a new survey by Robert Half International and CareerBuilder.
Deal With Bullying at Work - About.com - September 1, 2009
Writing about bullying at work evoked a number of memories of workplaces over the years.I dont believe I was ever bullied but I witnessed several instances of bullying. I have...
Best Job Interview Questions - About.com - August 31, 2009
Many employers spend a lot of interview time asking potential employees questions such as, "what would you do if " type questions. Now, I do believe some decent knowledge about...
7 Ways to Lose Arguments - The Industry Radar - August 26, 2009
Some classic mistakes in arguments are:
- Using false comparisons. This is the "comparing apples to oranges" blunder, as in "The United States and Britain have nuclear weapons therefore there should be no problem if Iran and North Korea obtain nukes."
- Overstating the case. The overstatement can make the rest of the argument suspect. The clock that strikes 13 times is never trusted again.
- Attacking the other person instead of the other person's argument. Clods and weasels are sometimes right.
- Guilt by
HR Execs Predict Hiring Needs - About.com - August 26, 2009
With unemployment projected at 10% in the United States by the end of the year, high school students starting college are rightly concerned about who companies will be hiring by...
Obama Reveals 5 Guiding Principles for Executive Pay - HR.BLR - June 12, 2009
(6/11) The Obama administration has outlined 5 guiding principles for executive compensation and called for legislation that would require a nonbinding ?say-on-pay" vote at stockholder meetings and rules that would address the independence of compensation committees.
Why the 2009 recession could be over already - but not for HR - The Industry Radar - June 12, 2009
Why the 2009 recession could be over already - but not for HR