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.

Do You Know How to Create an OSHA-Compliant Training Program?

Boost Compliance and Prevent Injuries,” speaker Michael Lawrence gave guidance on creating an OSHA-compliant safety training program. In the webinar, Lawrence suggested that an effective approach to creating an OSHA-compliant, injury-reducing safety training program involves four basic steps: Define the problem that you’re trying to correct through training. Identify the risks and protective measures. Develop […]

Changes to West Virginia wage payment act go into effect today

by Susan Llewellyn Deniker Amendments to the West Virginia Wage Payment and Collection Act (WPCA) go into effect today, changing the rules on when discharged employees must be given their final paycheck. Under the old law, discharged employees had to be paid all wages owed within 72 hours of termination. This year, the legislature amended […]

Alabama guns-at-work law takes effect August 1

by Albert L. Vreeland Beginning August 1, employees with a valid Alabama concealed weapon permit may keep a firearm in their vehicles at work. Also, during hunting season, employees with a valid Alabama hunting license may store an unloaded rifle or shotgun in their vehicles at work. The change is a result of a law […]

HR Trends–What’s Hot and What’s Not

What’s happening in HR out in the real world? What are your competitors up to? Let’s find out! Dear Readers, With the constantly changing scope of social media, engagement, and analytics, it’s hard to stay on top of the latest trends in HR. How are your colleagues—and competitors—handling things out in the field? Please take […]

Wal-Mart on Trial for Counting FMLA-qualifying Absences Against Employee

No-fault attendance policies may simplify the administration of attendance issues, but employers should be careful not to count absences protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Otherwise, as a recent court case demonstrates, employers with such point-based progressive discipline policies risk being on the wrong side of an […]

NLRB guidance on confidentiality in workplace investigations

Conducting a workplace investigation usually involves confidentially interviewing witnesses and other parties involved in the situation at hand. But what if asking employees to keep the information confidential was actually violating those same employees’ rights? This is what the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has implied in recent cases. What should HR do?

When You Should NOT Negotiate and Other Expert Tips

Yesterday’s Advisor featured expert Douglas McCabe, PhD’s tips for successful negotiations. Today, more of his tips, plus an introduction to the new, affordable training system, TrainingToday®. McCabe, who is professor of management at the McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University, offered his negotiating tips at the BLR® HR Strategic Summit, held recently in Scottsdale, Arizona. […]

Is OSHA a Defense to an ADA Discrimination Claim?

What happens when OSHA compliance gets in the way of ADA compliance? For example, what happens if an employer fires someone (with proper process and documentation, of course) for unsafe behavior, only to discover that this person had an undisclosed medical condition that was causing the behavior? The medical condition qualified as a disability, which […]

DOL Sues Staples for Alleged FMLA Violations

The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit seeking back wages and liquidated damages on behalf of a former Staples Contract and Commercial Inc. employee for alleged violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act. DOL filed suit after a Wage and Hour Division investigation found that the employer failed to notify an employee […]

Infographic Examines Performance Appraisal Practices

BLR 2013 Performance Management Survey Reveals Worst Evaluator Mistakes A new infographic puts the spotlight on employer performance management practices—and what HR professionals think of them. The infographic highlights findings from BLR’s 2013 Performance Management Survey conducted among survey participants representing 1,358 organizations.  It includes a “Performance Appraisal Report Card” reflecting participants’ ratings of how […]