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Pension Plan Fiduciaries Should Know Basics of ‘Responsible’ Investing

Working with investment managers on optimal asset mixes and maximizing returns long has been important for employer retirement plan sponsors and committees. But in recent years it also has become advisable for those overseeing fund managers to understand responsible investing principles — at the same time they have become more important for many plan participants. […]

3 Formulas for Better Training

To train better and to get more funding for training, do it “by the numbers.” These days, business is increasingly ruled by numbers. But there are some things that can’t be quantified, right? Like how the human mind can be affected by training. Not so, says training industry leader Bob Pike, speaking to a meeting […]

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 […]

Obamacare—Love It or Loathe It—Offers Lessons for Every Manager

(Dan Oswald, CEO of BLR, offered his thoughts on Obamacare in a recent edition of The Oswald Letter.) It’s not unusual for a talented, newly appointed executive to announce a bold and innovative course of action for the department or company she was just chosen to lead. And with bold plans come risk and detractors. […]

Minimizing Your Reorganization Cost in Canada

by Sara Parchello Many employers are trying to reorganize operations in order to survive this economic downturn. As Canadian employers know, a substantial change in an employee’s job functions can lead an employee to make a claim for constructive dismissal. This can result in significant liabilities when you can least afford it. How far can […]

Attributes Gap: Are You Delivering What Jobseekers Are Looking for?

Are U.S. employers delivering on what potential employees want most? Results from a recent survey by Randstad US, a staffing and HR services company in the United States, indicates that in many cases they do not, and an “attributes gap” exists.

Linking pay raises to company tattoos: good idea or legal minefield?

by Peter A. Jones A New York employer offered its employees a 15 percent pay raise if they had the company logo tattooed on their bodies. Reportedly, there were no limitations on the size or location of the tattoo, and about 40 employees accepted the offer and are receiving raises after having been inked. There […]

Employee Handbooks And Policies: Employee Consent Not Required To Change Policies; Helpful Guidelines

Many employers make it a practice to periodically update their employee manuals and policies. But where do you stand if an employee objects to a new policy? In a recent case, a California Court of Appeal rejected a worker’s attempt to challenge a provision that was added to an employee handbook. More importantly, the court […]