Author: Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR

5 Dumbest Management Concepts—Is HR One of Them?

“It’s a truism that nothing is certain in this world except death, taxes and bad management. But why?” asks author and blogger Geoffrey James. He blames five flawed management concepts that became popular in the 20th century. HR is one of them! James is a prolific writer and observer of the business scene and is […]

Retroactive FMLA Leave Designation: Proceed with Caution!

This content was originally published in April 2010. For the latest FMLA regulation changes, visit our FMLA article archives or try our practical FMLA compliance guide. If an employer fails to tell an employee that leave has been designated as FMLA leave, can the employer count the leave against the employee’s FMLA leave entitlement? The […]

Part-Time Employees Pose Full-Time Risks

Yesterday, we looked at some of the risks involved in employing temporary employees. Today, we’ll explain a few more, and we’ll tell you how you can attend a webinar next week to clear up the confusion—absolutely free.

Class Actions—Go on Offense to Avoid Them

In yesterday’s Advisor, we profiled Seyfarth Shaw’s eight trends that make class actions a real danger for every HR department. Today, key issues and an introduction to a unique training system that will help you avoid class actions altogether. Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s Annual Workplace Class Action Litigation Report suggests HR managers take note of the […]

Train Managers on FMLA Basics Before Terminating an Employee

This content was originally published in April 2010. For the latest FMLA regulation changes, visit our FMLA article archives or try our practical FMLA compliance guide. During training, make sure managers and supervisors understand the importance of documentation and consulting with HR before terminating an employee. In a recent court case, an employer had documentation […]

Class Actions Threaten "Enormous’ Financial Risk: Seyfarth Shaw

For the coming year, the financial risks of class action litigation are “enormous,” says attorney J. Stephen Poor, and more often than not, class actions adversely affect your market share and impact your reputation in the marketplace as well. Poor, who is the Managing Partner of law firm Seyfarth Shaw LLP, made his remarks in […]

2010 Changes Affecting FMLA, Families, and Paid Leave

This content was originally published in April 2010. For the latest FMLA regulation changes, visit our FMLA article archives or try our practical FMLA compliance guide. As the new decade begins, so do more changes to the FMLA, childcare incentives, and paid leave initiatives in Congress. These changes will impact not only the ways in […]

Case Study: Bad Job Description Dooms Employer

Job descriptions aren’t just part of your internal recordkeeping—they’re an invaluable tool in your battle against lawsuits. But if they’re not up to snuff, they can be your very worst enemy. Unfortunately, too many employers don’t realize this until it’s too late.