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Riding herd on FMLA abuse

by Charles S. Plumb Understanding and applying the rules of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) causes employers and HR professionals untold frustration — frustration that’s heightened by employees who unfairly take advantage of the Act and its complexities. Here are some practical suggestions for enforcing the FMLA and cutting down on FMLA abuse […]

Why the Trend Toward Variable Performance Pay?

Increasingly, employers are less averse to withholding merit increases for poor performers so they can afford to grant meaningful increases to better performers, says Morning, who is president of Teri Morning Enterprises in Carmel, Indiana. Morning made her suggestions during a recent webinar sponsored by BLR®. What is Variable Performance Pay? Variable performance pay aligns […]

Train Workers on These 19 Stations for Hazardous Waste Decontamination

Decontamination is a vital process for employees who handle hazardous wastes because it removes or neutralizes contaminants that have accumulated on personnel and equipment. The steps in the decontamination process vary depending on the hazards involved, the equipment available, and the terrain and circumstances. However, this list is typical of what would be set up […]

‘They Never Told Me I Had to Get to Work on Time’

Ridiculous as it sounds, “they never told me” is a standard defense in employment lawsuits. It plays to the jury’s sense of fairness, and it plays pretty well. ‘Surely They Know What I Want’ Managers and supervisors don’t like confronting their employees about performance problems so they tend to assume that employees are aware that […]

Super Safety Training Sessions, Part 1: Preparation

Imagine two training rooms, side by side. Both host safety training meetings. In Room A, the instructor drones on and on, doing all the talking, while trainees check their watches, look longingly at the exit, or just slouch at their desks with a 10,000-yard stare in their eyes. When the session breaks, there’s a dash […]

The Great Escape: Why America’s Workforce is Trading the Corporate Ladder for Career Ownership

The “gold watch” era of corporate loyalty is officially a thing of the past. A new study by The Harris Poll and The Entrepreneur’s Source has revealed a major shift in how Americans view their professional futures. Today, 83% of people see business ownership as a viable alternative to the traditional 9-to-5, with the majority believing that being your own boss […]

A Really Hostile Environment

Litigation value: $ 30,000 There is no question that Jim Halpert, acting manager at Dunder Mifflin Scranton while Michael Scott was away, did a terrible job of diffusing and/or preventing a fight on company property on “The Duel” episode of The Office. Fortunately, the fight between Dwight Schrute and Andy Bernard didn’t lead to any serious […]

FMLA Riddle: When is an FMLA Violation Not a Violation?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) continues to baffle lawyers and HR professionals. But sometimes a riddle brings welcome news, as we see in a recent decision from the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals (the federal court of appeals covering Texas). Read on. Where’s the Beef? Virginia Adams worked for Columbia/HCA Hospital. She […]