Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
A wellness program can make your company healthy and wealthy, as well as wise. A brand new BLR book shows you how to effectively implement one. In today’s ultra-competitive marketplace, profits are in a constant squeeze. Put in the vernacular, it’s pretty tough to make a buck. But what if we tell you there’s a […]
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a proposed rule that would change the Family and Medical Leave Act’s regulatory definition of “spouse” so that an eligible employee in a legal same-gender marriage will be able to take FMLA leave for his or her spouse or family member regardless of the state in which the employee resides. […]
Late last year, software giant Microsoft Corp. was ordered by a federal Court of Appeal to extend retroactive pension and stock purchase benefits-potentially worth millions of dollars-to employees improperly classified as independent contractors. (See CEA November 1996.) But now, the court says it will reconsider its decision-a potentially positive signal for Microsoft. A change in […]
One of the peskiest jobs managers have is responding to requests for time off from work. Today, more of Bob Gilson’s expert tips on that topic, plus an introduction to one of the best ways to avoid employee lawsuits—turnkey training for your managers. Gilson, an expert on employee relations, offered these tips on FedSmith.com, where […]
Will President Barack Obama’s recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) stand? Some in the business community and Congress hope not, and they’re taking action. Two House actions have been filed in opposition to the appointments: H.R. 3770, sponsored by Representative Jeff Landry (R-LA.), would amend federal law “to provide that payment for […]
President Donald Trump has turned much of traditional American politics on its head, and many of his policies have put some traditional Republican allies in a tough position. While these traditional allies may support some of the president’s policies, they cringe at others. Case in point: the business community.
Skyriver Communications, Inc., a San Diego wireless broadband Internet service provider, employed Mark Combs as director of network operations and classified him as an exempt administrator. Combs spent about 60 to 70 percent of his workday ensuring that the company’s network was operating properly at all times. Combs eventually resigned, and he slapped Skyriver with […]
On July 8, 2003, a worker at a Lockheed Martin Mississippi aircraft parts plant gunned down 14 coworkers, killing five. On August 27, 2003, a disgruntled former employee opened fire at a Chicago auto parts warehouse, killing six former coworkers. These tragedies are just a fraction of the workplace violence incidents—which include the spillover of […]
When it comes to electronic surveillance of employees, as the TV ad says, “Just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should.” Most companies now have the means to conduct electronic surveillance of their employees’ at work, since so much that employees do passes through company computer networks. But should you peek? Susan Heathfield, […]
Federal contractors need to be preparing now for the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) new pay transparency rule, a rule going into effect in January that is likely to present challenges to a number of employers, according to an attorney familiar with its provisions. “This rule appears to me to be part of the overarching […]