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New FMLA Regulations Issued by DOL

Final regulations under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), were issued Friday by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The new regulations allow employers more control over when employees can take leave. As expected, the new regulations cover the recently enacted leave benefits for family members of both seriously injured or ill service members and […]

Fasken Martineau adds to its leading Labor, Employment, Human Rights, Pensions and Benefits Client Service Team

by Brian Smeenk Regular readers of Northern Exposure are well aware of the breadth, depth, and strength of Fasken Martineau’s Labor, Employment, and Human Rights Group. Well, our Group just got even broader, deeper, and stronger. And thus even better in our ability to serve any client’s needs, no matter the complexity, urgency, or scope. […]

Customer Service 101—Train the Trainers

The term “customer service” is typically applied to external customers, but trainers don’t have “customers” in that traditional sense. Their customers are employee learners. And it’s imperative that they see their learners as customers they should be kept satisfied if they want their programs to be successful. Why? Because unsatisfied learners won’t continue to take […]

Staggering Economy Dragging Down Pay Raises

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady Last week, BLR CEO Bob Brady asked you to take a quick survey to confirm anecdotal evidence that organizations are ratcheting back on pay raises planned for 2009. You did—and did you ever. The current economic turmoil appears to have claimed yet another victim—pay increases planned for 2009. […]

‘Tis the season: resolutions for the new year

by Leslie Bakken Oliver It’s that time again, when many of us take inventory of the past year and make resolutions for the coming year—for example, to do better, work smarter, become more efficient, or waste less time. For some of you, focusing on aspirations for the coming year may be part of a formalized […]

Helping to Grow a Workforce

Companies often offer education and training, to further the skills of their employees and attract job candidates. A new initiative by home improvement retailer Lowe’s aims to do this, and more.

HR Heroes attend SHRM conference

More than 20,000 people gathered for the 65th annual SHRM Conference & Exposition in Chicago, Illinois, June 16-19, 2013.  BLR asked visitors to our HRHero booth to show their HR pride and tell us why they were an “HR Hero.” Here are what some of the HR professionals had to say about what makes them […]

Ruling Helps Alberta Employers Defend Preemployment Testing Challenges

by Michael Ford McCarthy Tetrault A long-awaited ruling of the Alberta Court of Appeal clears up some questions related to preemployment drug and alcohol testing related to safety-sensitive positions. The case – Chiasson v. Kellogg Brown & Root issued December 28, 2007 – involved an admitted casual user of marijuana being terminated from his employment […]

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Make sure your manager can say being your boss is “pretty great”

by Dan Oswald National Car Rental’s new commercial asks, “What’s it like to be the boss of you?” And it also answers the question: “Pretty great.” The actor in the commercial, Patrick Warburton, then negotiates a 20 percent raise for himself with himself. If only life were that easy! But I like the question the […]

Conn. Assembly Mandates Paid Sick Leave

Connecticut legislators approved a bill that will require most employers in the service sector to provide paid sick days to their workers, continuing a trend of states creating more paid sick leave rights for workers. The bill passed on a 76-65 vote after a long debate in the state House of Representatives on June 3 […]