Author: Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR

Can an Employer Attempt to Influence an Employee’s Vote?

Yesterday’s Advisor Advisor covered many key issues relating to political discussion and debate in the workplace; today, more on employer policies, and good news on your policies—they’re updated and ready to go. Time Off to Vote There is no federal law that requires employers to give employees paid time off to vote, but some states […]

Heated Political ‘Debates’—Can You Control them at Work?

It’s that time again; employers and their employees are getting ready to vote. It is an exciting time that engenders a good deal of discussion—and probably some arguments—at coffee machines and in lunchrooms. As with many areas of employment law, a patchwork quilt of federal and state laws governs the employer interface with political issues. […]

Is It HR’s Job to Encourage Employee Complaints?

Yes, HR does want to encourage employee complaints. If you don’t, the complaints will go to the agencies and the lawyers, and then you’ve moved into a different ball game that’s being controlled by someone else. When the complaints come to you first, you can take action. Yesterday’s Advisor covered the watchdog role as part […]

Is Corporate Watchdog in the HR Job Description?

Is Corporate Watchdog part of your job description? On paper, probably not. But in practice, probably yes. Who else is going to do it? Marketing? IT? Finance? Puh—leese. Fortunately, there are things you can do to make that part of your job easier. Get Out and About You won’t pick up much information sitting in […]

Part-timers—What Benefits Should They Get?

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady Increasingly, part-timers are taking on important roles in our prganizations. Whether they are soon-to-retire veterans or new-to-the-workforce grads hoping to get to fulltime, they all want benefits. Where should you draw the line on who gets benefits and what they get? Today’s survey will help you figure it […]

Not an Employee, But Still a Harasser

Yesterday’s Advisor presented two training scenarios about sexual harassment. Today, two more, and a look at a unique 10-minutes-at-a-time training system that will help your organization fend off expensive lawsuits. Sarah T. Endures the Teasing The back office at ABC Securities had always been a rough and hectic place to work. Now Sarah T. has […]

Harassment Training Scenario—Walter Had Nothing to Do With It

The spate of recent headlines disclosing corporate-level sexual harassment reminds every HR manager that vigilance and, when necessary, action are part of the job. Today’s Advisor features sexual harassment scenarios to help managers understand their roles. Walter W. Had Nothing to Do with It Walter W. was a happy enough auditor. He liked sitting at […]

How Your Supervisors Will Get Hammered in Court

In yesterday’s Advisor, attorney Edward M. Richters offered some salient truths about going to court. Today, how a typical court appearance might go, and an introduction to the best approach for making sure your managers aren’t begging for a lawsuit. Richters’s comments came at a workplace law symposium sponsored by national employment law firm Jackson […]

The 4 Most Common (and Costly) Wage/Hour Mistakes

By Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR Just My E-pinion Wage and hour suits are getting technical, says attorney Laura Innes, and that’s all the more reason to focus in on your wage hour practices to be sure you’re acting within the law. In an exclusive interview with the HR Daily Advisor, Innes shared tips for the […]