Author: Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR

40 Metrics—And Nary a One Interesting to Management

“Some HR managers keep 40 or more stats, virtually all uninteresting to their company’s executives,” says Attorney James P. Greene. He shares his meaningful metrics tips in today’s Advisor. There is no single set of metrics that fits all companies, Greene says. HR managers need to step back and find out what management really needs. […]

Top 5 Mistakes Leaders Make in Tough Times

Just My E-pinionBy Eileen McDargh, CSP, CPAE Things getting a little desperate these days? Be careful that you don’t do something you’ll regret, says guest columnist Eileen McDargh, a professional speaker and business consultant on change management, life balance, and leadership development. Here are her top five management mistakes (plus a bonus). Mistake #1: Become […]

Federal Contractors Beware: Employees Can Sue For Additional Wages in California

Federal Contractors Beware: Employees Can Sue For Additional Wages in California If you’ve ever contracted to do work for a federal agency, then you’re probably intimately familiar with the federal Service Contract Act of 1965 (SCA)—which spells out what employers working on federal contracts have to pay their employees. Now a California Court of Appeal […]

Ban Cell Phones While Driving? Could Backfire

Yesterday’s Advisor looked at a tragic—but all too frequent—case of an employee using a cell phone while driving and causing an accident with serious injuries. The employer settled for millions of dollars. Today we look at how an appropriate policy can reduce that liability. Wouldn’t a ban on cell phone use while driving be a […]

Stimulus COBRA Subsidy: New Notices Every Employer Must Use

The new stimulus package, called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), provides COBRA subsidies for certain employees terminated or laid off between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009. The subsidy reduces an employee’s COBRA premium by 65% for up to nine months, provided that the employee meets the eligibility requirements. Last […]

Cell Phones in Cars—Employees Crash, Company Burns

More and more often, accident victims are suing the employers when employees cause accidents while talking on cell phones. Today we look at a classic case—and what it means for your organization. (The following scenario, courtesy of our sister newsletter, the Safety Daily Advisor, is based on a real case.) Valerie Walker used her car […]

Lawyer Repellant–Apply Liberally!

In yesterday’s Advisor, attorney Wendy Warner explained how employers make things worse for themselves when lawsuits threaten. Today she shares ideas on how to make things better. Warner usually represents employees, but changed hats at a recent Society for Human Resources (SHRM) convention. Here are her simple steps employers can take “to keep lawyers like […]

Shooting Yourself in the Foot—How Employers Make Things Worse

When confronted with lawsuits, employers are often their own worst enemies, attorney Wendy Warner told attendees at a recent Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) conference. Although she usually represents employees, Warner agreed to deliver tips on how employers can avoid lawsuits. Warner is a partner with Moody & Warner, P.C., in Albuquerque, New Mexico. […]

Lower Starting Salaries Can Lead To Pay Discrimination

With California’s unemployment rate nearing 10 percent, jobseekers have to look harder than ever these days. For those lucky enough to receive a job offer, many are finding the offer to come with a lower starting pay than in previous years. And while businesses are suffering too in today’s economy, employers should beware that taking […]

California Courts Throw Out Arbitration Agreements

Breaking News: DOL Issues Model COBRA Subsidy Notices As we reported last month, the new stimulus package includes 65% COBRA subsidies for certain workers laid-off or terminated since September 1, 2008. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued model subsidy notices for employers to use when notifying employees.