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.

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Should Nonexempts Get Incentive Pay?

Yes, pay for performance applies to all levels of jobs, says consultant Katie M. Busch, but there are some caveats when you offer incentive programs to nonexempts. Variable pay is a powerful communicator of values and directions and changing business needs, says Busch. However, with nonexempt employees, it is particularly important that: The amount of […]

Are Your Employees Trained in Fire Prevention?

The information in today’s issue is adapted from BLR’s 7-Minute Safety Trainer session, “Basic Fire Prevention Steps.” The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to have a fire prevention plan that covers workplace fire hazards and contains procedures and responsibilities for preventing fires. In this safety training session, we’ll learn what components cause […]

Want to ‘Clarify’ or ‘Authenticate’ an FMLA Cert? Strict Definitions

In yesterday’s Advisor, we offered guidance on FMLA certifications; today, we’ll cover when you can “clarify” or “authenticate” those certifications, and we’ll introduce the unique checklist-based audit system that lets you find problems before the feds and the lawyers do. Authentication and Clarification of Medical Certifications Employers are entitled to authenticate or clarify information received […]

Medical Certs—Necessary FMLA Evil

How can you know if your comp program is meeting organization goals? You have to maintain metrics, says consultant Terry Pasteris, CCP, GRP. But there are metrics, and then there are metrics. Under the FMLA, employers may request medical certification of the need to take leave for the employee’s own serious health condition or the […]

How You Can Ensure the Success of Your Diversity Training Program

Today’s Advisor is adapted from the Ask the Trainer feature on BLR’s hr.blr.com. The training question is, “How can trainers ensure the success of a diversity training program?” Here is how our training expert responded: Paul Lawrence Vann, a motivational speaker, author, and trainer, recommends providing diversity training to all employees—from top management to rank-and-file […]

Supervisor Training: Preventing Sexual Harassment

Supervisor training about preventing sexual and other harassment isn’t just a smart move—it’s one that’s required by law in many states. What should supervisors be taught? Supervisor Training on Harassment: What to Include A best practice would be to use this time when supervisors are together to cover not just sexual harassment, but also all […]

Is There a Difference Between Diversity Training and Harassment Training?

The training question is, “What is the difference between diversity training and harassment training, and what do trainers need to know about adequately covering both topics?” Here is how a training expert responded: “They are quite different and should be different,” says Linda Willing, president of RealWorld Training and Consulting (www.rwtraining.com). She describes harassment/discrimination training […]

Does the DOMA Ruling Affect FMLA Rights for Same-Sex Couples?

When the Supreme Court ruled that Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional, it opened up the possibility for married same-sex couples to be extended federal benefits on many levels, including things like FMLA leave. While the details have yet to be sorted, employers are gearing up for the many changes that will surely result. In […]

Holidays—What’s Happening? (And Are You Competitive?)

Holidays are one of the baseline benefits. So who’s offering what out in the real world? What are your competitors up to? Help us find out! Please participate in our brief survey and see how what you are doing stacks up against what other successful companies are doing. We’ll get answers to these questions and […]