Category: HR Management & Compliance

There are dozens of details to take care of in the day-to-day operation of your department and your company. We give you case studies, news updates, best practices and training tips that keep your organization fully in compliance with ever-changing employment law, and you fully aware of emerging HR trends.

Mediation: It Works, But Here Are Eight Myths

Mediation is mocked in some parts of the country, but New England region attorneys at a recent meeting of the Employers’ Counsel Network reported good experiences with the process. EEOC Mediator Elizabeth Marcus offered her eight myths of mediation at the meeting. The Employers’ Counsel Network includes the attorneys from each state who write BLR’s […]

NLRB Sues Wal-Mart for Allegedly Violating Workers Rights to Strike for Higher Wages

Retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. could be facing substantial back pay fines and other remedies related to a federal complaint alleging it violated its employees’ rights with its response to organized strikes in 14 states that called for higher wages and other worker benefits. The National Labor Relations Board consolidated complaint alleged that Wal-Mart violated […]

Bridgegate’s Lessons for HR Managers

If you haven’t been living under a rock, you’ve undoubtedly heard about what is now being called “Bridgegate.” (I, for one, am tired of “gate” getting added to every controversy and scandal, but I’ll leave that rant for another day.) ‘Time for Traffic Problems’ It seems that one of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s top […]

The 6 Universal Drivers of Employee Engagement

“Six factors need to be present for true employee engagement,” says consultant Keith Branham. Highly engaged workplaces score high on all six drivers and tend to have “signature” drivers—that is, drivers for which they are particularly known. Branham, who is founder and principal of Keeping the People, Inc., offered his expertise at WorldatWork’s 2013 Total […]

Oklahoma prohibition on same-sex marriages found unconstitutional

by Charles S. Plumb The last several months have witnessed a flurry of court activity regarding same-sex marriage laws. On Tuesday, January 14, Oklahoma joined that activity with an order and opinion issued by Tulsa’s federal court. In 2004, Oklahoma voters approved an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution defining “marriage” to be exclusively a union […]

Train Employees on Emergency First Aid

When a person stops breathing following a workplace accident or other medical emergency, fast action is critical. Someone who stops breathing can die or suffer brain damage in minutes without prompt and proper help. BLR’s 7-Minute Safety Trainer says you should train your workers to: Know whom to contact if someone stops breathing. Make the […]

Only Thing You Did Wrong? Bad Hire

In yesterday’s Advisor, attorney Mark Schickman looked into his HR crystal ball for a look at 2014. Today, more of his survival tactics for the coming year, plus notice of a free webinar, Don’t Fear the Future: 5 Keys to Raise Your HR and Game in 2014 and Beyond. In many of the situations he […]

Are Your Employees Trained in Essential First Aid?

Picture this: A worker is hurt in an accident and blood is gushing from the wound. One of your employees chokes on a piece of food and can’t breathe. Someone goes into cardiac arrest right at his workstation. Would your employees be ready to act with speed and competence in a workplace medical emergency? They […]

Crystal Ball—HR Trends and Traps 2014

We had dramatic changes in HR in 2013 and that’s going to continue, says attorney Mark Schickman of Freeland Cooper & Forman LLP in San Francisco. However, he points out, quoting Sir Winston Churchill, “To improve is to change. To be perfect is to change often.” What Are the Big Changes for the 21st Century? […]

Train Your HAZWOPER Responders in Their Specific Duties

Hazardous materials specialists are workers who respond and provide support to hazardous materials technicians. Their duties parallel those of the hazardous materials technicians, but they require more-specific knowledge of the various substances that must be contained. Hazardous Materials Specialists The hazardous materials specialist also acts as the site liaison with federal, state, and local authorities […]