Author: Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR

Complain About Me? I Don’t Think So

HR managers have a balancing act to perform in preventing retaliation, says Attorney Judith A. Moldover. You’ve got the manager storming around, saying "I’m going to get this person—can I fire him today?" And you’ve also got a complaining employee who is strutting around thinking he or she is bulletproof. Find the balance, Moldover says. […]

Retaliation Suits Are Up—But HR Can Prevent Them

Retaliation suits are the one type of EEOC suit that is increasing, and Attorney Judith A. Moldover says HR managers have an “incredible role” in sparing their organizations the expense those suits invariably bring—even if you “win” them. Retaliation claims are very fact related, says Moldover, and that makes it especially important that someone with […]

If You’re Just Complying, You Get a “D”

By Clark PhinneyJust My E-pinion “Just meeting the regulatory requirements is like asking your kids to only get a ‘D’ in school,” says compliance expert Clark Phinney. It’s a simple observation he heard a few years ago that seems to say it all about attitudes toward compliance. “…like asking your kids to get a D.” […]

Detective’s Tips for Hotel Safety

Yesterday’s Advisor presented general safety recommendations for travel safety. Today, Detective Kevin Coffee provides his recommendations for selecting hotel rooms, and the Hotel and Lodging Association shares its hotel safety tips. Coffee operates a consulting service, Corporate Travel Safety LLC. He offers the following suggestions for picking out a safe hotel room: Avoid ground level […]

The Cost of Blowing Off a Baseless Bias Claim? $390,000

How should you respond to a discrimination complaint that appears to be completely unfounded? As GoDaddy, Inc. recently learned, even if the employee’s complaint appears to be baseless, you still must treat the complaint as serious and take all the same precautions you would with other bias complaints. If you don’t, you could be liable […]

Feudal Mentality About Business Travel?

“Many companies operate with a feudal mentality,” says Jon D. Groussman. They do a great job of protecting their employees “inside the castle”—think how difficult it is to get past a security guard or receptionist. However, they neglect their employees’ safety when they “leave the fortress and cross over the moat.” It often takes a […]

Pay Differences Not Related to Race or Gender? Prove It

There’s a compensation heat wave, says Susan Willmott, SPHR, and the only way to avoid it is with a compensation structure that’s carefully worked out based on job content and value to the company. In yesterday’s Advisor, we learned about writing job descriptions that provide information about job value; now with job descriptions done, here’s […]

Job Descriptions: Your ‘Weakest Link’?

Despite the fact that a sound job description is the basis for a meaningful compensation plan, all too often job descriptions are the weakest link in the connection between compensation and performance management, says Michele Whitehead, PHR. Not sure about your job descriptions? You can poll your people to find out where you stand, Whitehead […]

Changing FMLA Policy? Could Be ‘Worst Mistake’

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady You’ve been diligently following the sweeping—and confusing—changes to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). You’ve even instituted changes to your policies to make sure you’re in compliance. It could be the worst mistake you’ve made all year, says Attorney […]