Author: Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR

How Can You Communicate if You Don’t Talk?

In yesterday’s Advisor, consultant Andrew Botwin offered tips on “getting a seat at the table.” Today, his tips for communicating with the C-Suite, plus an introduction to Wage & Hour Compliance: Practical Solutions for HR. “How the hell can you communicate if you refuse to talk to people?” Consultant Andrew Botwin quoted auto industry icon […]

Is It Time for a Review of Your Training Program?

Effective training enables your organization to comply with all legal requirements, thereby avoiding costly lawsuits, audits, and fines. Supervisors, who are the organization’s front line, play a particularly critical role in the training process. They must: Understand what training is required by law. Be familiar and comfortable with organizational policies and with employment-related laws. Adhere […]

Are noncompete agreements enforceable in California?

In the vast majority of states, noncompete agreements are generally enforceable as long as they’re reasonable in terms of having a genuine business need, an appropriate geographic scope and an appropriate time duration. However, California law differs significantly from most states in this regard.

The 6 Universal Drivers of Engagement

Branham, who is founder and principal of Keeping the People, Inc., offered his expertise at WorldatWork’s 2013 Total Rewards Conference and Exhibition held recently in Philadelphia. Driver #1: Caring and Committed Senior Leaders Branham points to the following differences between low-scoring and high-scoring employers on engagement: Low-Scoring Employers: High-Scoring Employers: Isolated and self-interested management Servant […]

What Does the C-Suite Think HR Does?

What the C-Suite thinks HR does isn’t so very flattering, says consultant Andrew Botwin. In today’s issue, his tips for reversing that view and “getting a seat at the table.” Botwin, founder of SPC Consulting, offered the following tips at BLR’s 2013 Strategic HR Summit held recently in Scottsdale, Arizona. What the C-Suite Thinks HR […]

Training Advances Corporate Responsibility in the Community

In an effort to advance its campaign against human trafficking, Hyatt (www.hyatt.com) recently launched an internal global training program to raise awareness about this issue. The program was developed in conjunction with the Polaris Project (www.polarisproject.org), an organization dedicated to combating human trafficking. “The program is designed to provide managers and line staff at Hyatt […]

College Graduate? Now Start Learning

My oldest graduated from college recently, says business and leadership blogger Dan Oswald. In addition to reminding me that I am, indeed, getting older, it caused me to consider what sage career and life advice I might have for him. Oswald, CEO of BLR, offered his advice to his son in a recent edition of […]

Dream Job May Make You Cry in Your Beer

It may be on the top 10 list of dream jobs—working in a brewery. But, in fact, making beer is a highly hazardous activity. Among the dangers are extremely hot liquids, caustic chemicals, fast-moving machinery, wet floors, forklifts, and carbon dioxide emissions. Yes, those beautiful bubbles can be bad for workers’ health. Making beer is […]

Don’t Forget Ethics Training

Effective training enables your organization to comply with all legal requirements, thereby avoiding costly lawsuits, audits, and fines. Ethics It takes only one employee, or even an agent of your company, to commit a crime, and your entire company may be held liable. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, with liability your company may face very […]

The Final 3 Steps of OSHA’s Training Guidelines

Step 5: Conduct the training. Think of the training session as an important meal. And like a memorable meal, its presentation must be as appealing as its taste. A successful session will have both “sizzle and steak”—style and content—with lots of participation, give-and-take, questions, examples, opinions, and enthusiasm from the trainer and trainees. To help […]