Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
A new employee’s first few days on the job are a crucial time for conveying essential safety information and establishing a proper orientation to workplace safety. During that time, someone—either your safety staff, the new employee’s supervisor, or an experienced employee appointed by the supervisor—must: Reinforce the message about the organization’s commitment to safety. […]
The grinding, continuous volume of change may be wearing out employees, but often senior leaders don’t see it, according to a seven-country survey of senior executives at large corporations.
Yesterday’s Advisor offered the first 6 of 9 factors necessary to make pay for performance real. Today, three more factors, plus an introduction to the all-compensation-in-one-place website, Compensation.BLR.com. 7. Make Merit Matter [Go here for factors 1 to 6.] Of course, one of the problems with merit pay has been that we’re mostly working with […]
Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not provide much specific direction concerning safe stacking and storage, 29 CFR 1910.176(b) of the material-handling standard does generally require secure workplace storage of materials. The regulation states: “Storage of material shall not create a hazard. Bags, containers, bundles, etc., stored in tiers shall be stacked, […]
It’s a given that HR professionals are actively involved in many areas of an organization, but where exactly? A recent BLR® survey looks at how HR plays a role in strategic business planning and other key strategic areas. Dingee, director of strategic recruiting at retained search firm Staffing Advisors, offered her advice at BLR’s Advanced […]
by Gary S. Fealk “I know we had an e-mail/videotape/memo about that, but I can’t find it.” You might be surprised to learn that lawyers are often told there’s a key piece of evidence that would help in the defense of an employment claim, but the client just can’t seem to track it down. Let’s […]
Communicating complicated employee benefit provisions is not easy. Explaining everything in a way that the average plan participant will understand just may not be possible. Different communication channels for different groups likely will have to be used; one size does not fit all. Let’s hope the DOL recognizes this.
Who doesn’t like a little fun at work? Breaking the monotony with some offsite activities, an office game day, or just a special lunch can provide a restorative break to help hard-working employees get ready to tackle the hard work that’s always waiting. Fun-at-work proponents tout the benefits of giving employees the chance to get […]
Can you please advise me on the regulations for providing summary plan descriptions (SPDs) for our employees? Since we don’t have SPDs yet, should there be an urgency in getting them produced for distribution this year or can this be a project for 2016?
Perhaps employers have been mistaken in assuming they never have to worry about a worker’s commute when accommodating a sickness or disability. In certain circumstances, an employer may be required to assist with an employee’s commute, the 2nd Circuit says in a recent opinion (Nixon-Tinkelman v. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene). […]