Author: Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR

3 Key Questions for Best Practice Wellness

In yesterday’s Advisor, attorney Francis Alvarez discussed legal risks of wellness programs. Today, practical considerations and an introduction to a popular wellness guide. Each organization has to decide for itself where it belongs on the wellness/risk continuum, says Alvarez, a partner in the White Plains, New York, office of national employment law firm Jackson Lewis. […]

Wellness Is TC Squared–Managing Employees and Risks

Managing wellness is described as “TC2” by today’s expert. That means Taking Care of employees and Taking Care of risks. Everybody wants to take care of employees, says attorney Francis Alvarez, but they must also realize that along with wellness programs come legal risks. It all depends on the kind of program you offer. Alvarez is […]

New Law Bans Texting While Driving; Download a Sample Policy Now

Now that the state budget stalemate has finally ended, Governor Schwarzenegger has gotten back to the work of signing bills sent to him by the legislature, and his last day to do so was September 30. One of the first bills penned into law expands the existing ban on driving while using a cell phone […]

ADA Amendments: Supremes Get a Reprimand

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady BLR CEO Bob Brady says the new ADA amendments are likely to create some HR headaches, at least in the short term, but that the legislation shows that our system of government works as intended. Overruling the U.S. Supreme Court Congress has issued the U.S. Supreme Court an […]

Interview Checklist–The 25 Forbidden Questions

In yesterday’s Advisor, legal landmines for interviewers. Today, a handy checklist for interviewers from BLR’s HR Audit Checklists. Check each forbidden question to indicate your awareness that it cannot be asked in employment interviews. Forbidden Questions–Age “How old are you?” “What is your date of birth?” (You may ask, “Do you meet the state minimum […]

Job Descriptions: 3 Common Mistakes–and a Tool for Avoiding Them

If anyone questions your layoff selections—and they will—employees’ attorneys are going to scrutinize the job descriptions on which you based your determinations. What will they find? A full set of up-to-date, accurate, and complete job descriptions, right? Well, maybe not a full set—and maybe not all accurate and complete and up to date, either. Here […]

9 Legal Landmines for Untrained (and maybe Trained) Interviewers

Even seasoned interviewers can inadvertently ask questions that lead to legal problems. That’s why the first rule in interviewing is "Innocent questions can lead to trouble." "An interview is essentially a pretty casual conversation, particularly if it goes well," says Amy Berecek. And in a conversation, it’s just human nature to ask people if they’re […]

What’s Your HR Credibility Rating?

In yesterday’s Advisor, we shared some how-to-lose-your-HR-credibility pitfalls. How many applied to you? Today, more tips and an introduction to a unique online training program. Building “HR Cred” is a top task for HR managers, although it never appears on any job description. It’s tough to build credibility, but easy to lose it. Here is […]

‘HR Cred’–How to Build It and How to Lose It

Credibility–it’s hard to establish and it’s easy to lose. Yet, it’s critical for HR success. Today, one expert’s take on how to lose it. The respected HR Competency Study, conducted by the University of Michigan Business School and its partners, has identified six core competency domains for HR managers:At the basic “relationships” level:          Credible Activist […]

Layoffs: Big Brother is watching you

Breaking News: President Bush Signs ADA Amendments Act Yesterday, President Bush signed the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. For more details on the new law, click here. The changes take effect Jan. 1, 2009. Get ready to comply–attend our audio conference on the new law on Oct. 8.