Author: Kathryn McGovern

Nondisabled Employees May Challenge Medical Exams

Employees need not have a disability to challenge the legality of an employer’s required medical exams, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in a case of first impression. At the same time, the court also reaffirmed the ability of an employer to request an examination because it was related to performing a […]

Planning to Hire Teens for Summer Jobs? Brush Up on These FLSA Basics

The summer job season for teenagers kicks off in the next few weeks. Therefore, employers planning to hire young workers to augment their workforce must make sure they are compliant with the child labor provisions in the Fair Labor Standards Act to avoid facing steep penalties. Whether they are bagging groceries or mowing lawns, working […]

Workplace investigations 101: What to do when employee makes an allegation

Workplace investigations typically start with an allegation. Perhaps an employee makes a complaint about another employee or manager. Or perhaps he or she advises of an employee harassing another employee. Regardless of the specifics of the allegation at hand, there are some steps that employers should always take at the start of the process. Having […]

Hard to Get Started with Job Descriptions? Use Our Questionnaire

Here’s a basic questionnaire (We got it from the SmartJobs CD.) that you can use to begin the job description process (or to review existing job descriptions): Job Description Questionnaire Instructions: Distribute copies of this questionnaire to supervisors, human resources staff members, job analysts, and others who may be involved in writing job descriptions. Ask […]

Give Your Employees Ongoing Learning Opportunities

JJiffy Lube® International uses Web-based courses, coaching, instructor-led courses, and computer-based simulation to provide ongoing learning opportunities for employees at its franchises across the country. Web-based training courses are offered through Jiffy Lube University (JLU) for employees completing orientation and the certification process in 10 different areas, says Kenneth Barber, manager of learning and development […]

Matrix Approach Will Tame Competing Sales Goals

Special from WorldatWork Total Rewards 2013, Philadelphia In yesterday’s Advisor, consultant David Cichelli talked about hurdles, modifiers, and multipliers for sales compensation. Today, his take on using matrices, plus an introduction to the all-HR-in-one-place website, HR.BLR.com®. Matrices for Sales Comp Use a matrix when sales people have concurrent accountability for two competing measures, says Cichelli, […]

Insurers Can Offer One Choice of SHOP Coverage in 2014, HHS Allows

A health reform requirement that all insurers offer four levels of health coverage to small businesses will be delayed until 2015. Under a final rule from HHS (to be officially published June 4), many small employers will have fewer plans to choose from the Small Business Health Options (SHOP) program in 2014. Background Starting in 2014, small […]

How You Know Your Job Descriptions Are No Good

The most typical problems have to do with job specifications that are inaccurate. They either require something that isn’t truly required, or they describe duties that are no longer relevant. Job Specs Unreasonably High A number of state and federal government agencies (particularly the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)) have concluded in a number of […]

Does Your Training Program Offer Ongoing Learning Opportunities?

Jiffy Lube® International uses Web-based courses, coaching, instructor-led courses, and computer-based simulation to provide ongoing learning opportunities for employees at its franchises across the country. Web-based training courses are offered through Jiffy Lube University (JLU) for employees completing orientation and the certification process in 10 different areas, says Kenneth Barber, manager of learning and development […]