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Job Descriptions: A Job Better Left to the Pros?

Writing job descriptions has become so time-consuming and legally complex some managers just ignore using them and deny themselves a valuable HR tool. A solid prewritten or sample program might be the answer. They’re often the unwanted stepchildren of the HR office. Stashed on a high shelf. Stored in a dusty binder. Written, filed, and […]

Hot List: The BusinessWeek Bestseller List

BusinessWeek ranks business books that are the most recent bestsellers and provides a short summary. 1. Strengthsfinder 2.0 by Tom Rath. Are you unsure where your true talents lie? Do you feel that you are both a person who gets things done and someone who offers penetrating analysis? Well, you can discover whether you are […]

Wellness: Everyone Wins—Including the Lawyers

Wellness programs—win-win and no legal hassles, right? Actually, there are a number of legal pitfalls awaiting the unwary wellness manager. For example, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), the Internal Revenue Code, and the Genetic Information Nondisclosure Act (GINA) all have requirements that bear on wellness programs. […]

Picnic, Ballgame, Social Event

There’s nothing like a picnic or a party to boost morale, build teamwork, and reward employees for a job well done. But as with many things HR, there’s a downside: Failure to clarify and enforce policies can lead to unexpected claims, such as claims for workers’ compensation or sexual harassment, or liability. Serving Alcohol The […]

Almost Royal: How Not to Conduct an Interview

The BBC’s faux reality show, Almost Royal, follows the lives of British aristocrat siblings, Poppy and Georgie Carlton as they tour the United States with their father’s ashes in tow. After their father’s untimely demise from a shooting accident, this brother-sister duo travel across the Atlantic to tour the country that their father loved in accordance […]

Time to Move to Electronic Recordkeeping? (Hint: You Already Have)

Think it might be time to move to electronic recordkeeping? You already have! says attorney Marc Jacuzzi. Look at what you already are doing electronically: E-mail Spreadsheets Website E-documents Presentations Voice mail Payroll And just look at what else is potentially keeping an electronic record: Telephone extension detail Computer/network system log-on, log-off times Scantron® security […]

Don’t Terminate Without the Right Policies

Terminations — where the rubber meets the road in HR. The most angst, the most tears (or screams), and the most lawsuits. Your terminations policy is critical. Today, courtesy of BLR’s SmartPolicies® program, we’ll review the key elements your policy should cover.

Hiring Diversity of Perspective

The more perspectives in a room, the greater the chance for innovation. There are many factors that go into creating a strong workforce, and diverse perspectives play a big role. According to Harvard Business Review (HBR), a more diverse team creates a smarter team.

Hot List: Wall Street Journal’s Bestselling Hardcover Business Books

The following is a list of the bestselling hardcover business books as ranked by the Wall Street Journal with data from Nielsen BookScan. 1. StrengthsFinder 2.0: A New and Upgraded Edition of the Online Test from Gallup’s Now, Discover Your Strengths by Tom Rath. Are you unsure where your true talents lie? Do you feel […]

FMLA Notice Requirements: Deadlines for Notice

In our last installment of this article series, we covered the employee’s obligation to notify his or her employer of the need for Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, but the question remains: how much time does the employee have to notify his or her employer of the need for leave?