Author: Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR

Nine Reasons You Should Keep No Secrets from Employees

By Quint Studer Just My E-Pinion Do your employees really know what’s going on with your company? "Don’t be worried that they can’t handle the truth," says bestselling author Quint Studer. He offers convincing reasons for creating a culture of transparency in your company—starting now. The economy may be improving, but employees are still worried: […]

Managers Wearing ‘Please Sue Me’ Placards?

How many of your managers are wandering around with "Please Sue Me" placards on their backs? Probably quite a few, says Hunter Lott. Yesterday’s Advisor covered his tips for a variety of HR compliance challenges. Today, we’ll get his tips on wage and hour issues, and take a look at a unique program just for […]

‘Please Sue Me’ (Your Managers Talking?)

Happy people don’t sue … but there aren’t a lot of happy people these days, says Hunter Lott. Nevertheless, today’s economic times mean a once-in-a-business-lifetime opportunity, he says. Lott is a consultant who specializes in helping small businesses cope with HR regulations and compliance. His suggestions came during one of his "Please Sue Me" sessions […]

Proactive Approach to Social Media Control

In yesterday’s Advisor, Alison Davis discussed rant sites—the dark side of social media. Today, she shares proactive practices for controlling social media use. Plus, we’ll take a look at a unique one-stop source for solving HR problems. The best approach to keeping former employees quiet, Davis says, is to tie agreements about future behavior, non-disclosure, […]

Beware the Dark Side of Social Media

Social media is clearly the coming thing for hip companies, but there is a dark side, says Alison Davis, a communications consultant. She recommends that employers take a proactive approach. Davis is CEO of Davis & Company (davisandco.com). She made her comments at a recent webinar hosted by BLR®. Information You Thought Was Protected Davis […]

Payroll Tax Exemption for New Hires?

The U.S. Senate recently voted 62-30 vote to end debate on legislation that would give employers a payroll tax exemption for hiring new employees in 2010. The vote to end debate clears the way for a final vote on the legislation. Join us this fall in San Francisco for the California Employment Law Update conference, […]

8 Reasons It’s a ‘He-Session,’ Not a Recession

By Roxanne Rivera Just My E-Pinion Some statistics indicate that the recent recession has been harder on men than women. Author Roxanne Rivera explains why women might have a better chance at busting through the recession. The recession has been difficult for most Americans. But has it affected men more than women? Recent statistics from […]

10 Critical "Compensable Factors" in Job Descriptions

In yesterday’s Advisor, we talked about the three different job descriptions most jobs have. Today, we’ll look at 10 specific factors you can evaluate as you work to unite those three job descriptions into one. These 10 elements describe the specific job requirements in terms of “compensable factors.” You can use these factors to gauge […]

California Supreme Court Resolves KinCare Issue

As every California employer knows, our state’s employment laws are unique. One unique feature is the KinCare law — which permits employees to use some of their accrued paid sick leave to care for ill family members. Sick leave that is used by an employee under the KinCare law cannot be counted against the employee […]

Every Job Has 3 Job Descriptions

Every job has at least three job descriptions: the company’s (the written one on file), the boss’s (rarely the same), and the employee’s (the one that describes what he or she actually does). In an ideal world, they would all be the same. But in the real world, they aren’t the same, and that causes […]