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Employer Can’t Pin COBRA Compliance on Insurer, Court Points Out

Under COBRA’s small-employer exception, employers with fewer than 20 employees do not have to offer COBRA coverage upon what would otherwise be “qualifying events.” This determination is made based on how many employees were employed, on average, during the prior calendar year. When purchasing group coverage, it is important for employers to be mindful of […]

Use HR Metrics to improve new hire performance

There are three primary areas where you can use HR metrics to analyze and improve your hiring process. One are is improving administrative efficiency (by reducing cost per hire, time to fill, etc.). Another is reducing waste and rework– high turnover means wasted time and money in recruiting and training (It’s better to get the […]

The Downside of Sign-Up Bonuses

Sign-on bonuses often do make the difference between acceptance and rejection of an offer, says consultant Chuck Csizmar, CCP, but there are a few caveats. Csizmar, who is founder and principal of CMC Compensation Group, offered his tips at a recent BLR-sponsored webinar. Some Csizmar’s negatives to using bonuses: Using them may establish an unwanted […]

Comp Thinking That Pleases the CFO and the CEO

Rather than basing promotions and their associated salary increases on acquired knowledge and certifications, says Epps, who is managing partner of EP2S Compensation Solutions, LLC, base them on competencies. A competency-based job evaluation system is a method of structuring and evaluating broadly defined jobs based on a demonstrated level of job complexity and job accountability, […]

Fingerprint Checks and Reference Checks in California

Yesterday, we got some insights on background checks from Jared Callahan, a licensed private investigator and the director of client services for Employment Screening Resources (ESR) in Novato. Today, his thoughts on two more common “checks”: fingerprint checks and reference checks.

What’s Working in Recruiting 2012? Let’s Find Out!

It’s a new world of recruiting in 2012, and every employer needs to stay ahead of the curve. Who’s doing what in the real world of recruiting? Let’s find out. You need to know: Which recruiting sources are working best in 2012? What recruiting methods are most popular? Is social media really the best way […]

5 Bottom-Line Compensation Cost-Savers

Special from Atlanta—SHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition In yesterday’s Advisor, Payscale, Inc.’s Stacey Carroll, M.B.A., CCP, SPHR. offered key charts for evaluating compensation levels. Today, one more chart and Carroll’s cost-saving suggestions, plus an introduction to the checklist-based audit system that helps you find problems before the feds do. Here’s a chart that will help […]

Labor Law Under Obama or Romney–Employers Brace for Post-Election Changes

For today’s topic of likely labor law and NLRB actions after the election we turned to Patricia M. Trainor, J.D., SPHR, BLR’s Senior Managing Editor for HR. Here’s her take: Until recently most nonunionized employers knew little about National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or the Board) activities.  This was simply because that federal agency had […]

Walker to appeal lower court ruling against Wisconsin law restricting union rights

by Timothy Edwards In what may likely be a temporary victory for public unions in the state of Wisconsin, a Dane County judge declared that Governor Scott Walker’s restrictions to the collective bargaining rights of specific government employees (Act 10) are unconstitutional. The court’s decision is not the last word on this politically charged topic. […]

A New Mentoring Model for Training the Next Generation

The new mentoring depends on a reciprocal learning relationship, she says. Zachary, author of The Mentor’s Guide and The Mentee’s Guide to Mentoring, presents seven elements of successful mentoring programs. 1. Reciprocity In the new mentoring, there is equal engagement of both parties. Both have responsibilities, both have roles to play, and both have something […]