Author: Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR

Where Job Descriptions Fail and How to Fix Yours

Even when they are accurate to begin with (not always the case), it’s all too easy for job descriptions to get out of date, and that causes all sorts of problems, practical and legal, for employers. The most typical problems have to do with job specifications that are inaccurate. They either require something that isn’t […]

Court Multiplies Award, Saying Insurer Profited from Denial

Rather than merely finding that an individual was entitled to benefits due, a federal appeals court ordered an insurer to pay a large monetary award under ERISA based on the equitable theories of unjust enrichment and disgorgement of ill-gotten profits. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that the insurer used money it should […]

Recruiting Survey Results: How Do You Compare?

We garnered an impressive 1,379 participants in this year’s survey, which was conducted in November 2013. Here are the detailed survey results. How does your organization measure up? What Recruiting Methods Are Used? When asked which methods are used to recruit for open positions, online recruiting leads the pack at 79.7%, followed closely by employee […]

Free Report Friday: Top 8 Ways to Improve Workforce Productivity

Tackling the issue of workforce productivity can be intimidating, especially when one considers its critical importance to succeeding in today’s marketplace. Improving workforce productivity is near the top of every organization’s "To-Do List", but a surprisingly low percentage of companies feel confident that they are performing well in their workforce optimization efforts.

Worksite Privacy from Social Networking to Social Security

Yesterday’s Advisor featured four common-law claims and the first four privacy issues for employers. Today, the rest of the issues, plus an introduction to a comprehensive collection of 350 prewritten policies on CD. [Go here for issues 1 to 4.] 5. Social Networking Sites Employees have increasingly been utilizing social networking sites for a variety […]

’Tis the Season for Cold Weather Training

The material in this issue is adapted from BLR®’s audio PowerPoint® presentation on “Working in Cold Conditions.” When winds begin to blow, it’s time for organizations with outside operations to train their workers on how to work safely in cold weather. Read on for suggested answers to the training exercise questions in yesterday’s issue. [marketing: […]

Incentives End-of-the-Year Checkup

Incentive Compensation Checklist General Questions       Do you have an incentive compensation plan? Yes□  No□ Is it in writing? Yes□  No□ Does your incentive plan support the company’s mission and long-term goals/objectives? Yes□  No□ What levels of the organization will participate in the incentive compensation plan, e.g., top management, salespeople, entire organization? Yes□  […]

11 Common Workplace Privacy Issues (and 4 Common-Law Claims)

Although employers generally possess a significant degree of latitude with regard to maintaining the integrity of company products, monitoring productivity, and ensuring a safe worksite, employers must balance such interests with the interests of their employees to maintain a degree of privacy.

High Court Ruling on ‘Stock-Drop’ Could Chase Company Shares out of 401(k)s

A brief from the U.S. Solicitor General recommending that the U.S. Supreme Court hear a “stock-drop” class-action case could make it the most important ERISA litigation of the High Court’s current term. Employee benefits attorneys watching the case’s progress say a High Court decision could deter employers from offering employer stock as a 401(k) plan […]

What Did You Learn About Exec Comp to Apply to 2014?

Executive Compensation Checklist General       Do you have a plan for executive compensation? Yes□  No□ Is it in writing? Yes□  No□ Does it have stated goals? Yes□  No□ Do those goals include:   Increasing productivity? Yes□  No□ Increasing quality? Yes□  No□ Retaining good employees? Yes□  No□ Attracting good employees? Yes□  No□ Rewarding good […]