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Workplace Introverts: Debunking the Myths

Introverts—they are the new extroverts, right? Quiet, reserved, always sensing and watching. Listening for the next nugget of innovation to grace the lips of a colleague. Or are they tormented by the thought of communication and interaction? Do their extroverted cohorts drive them batty? Or the question that matters, the question I pose is—does it really matter? […]

Your HR Department 2008 Survey Results

Many thanks to everyone for taking this month’s survey twice. Your answers were very interesting, especially on the essay question about the most difficult thing your HR department has had to do this year. Many of you have had to deal with layoffs, finding good employees to hire, the rising cost of health care, and […]

Gender identity and expression now protected in Ontario

By Alix Herber and Keri Bennett Human Rights Tribunals across Canada are constantly expanding the interpretation of prohibited grounds. Ontario has recently joined Manitoba and the Northwest Territories and gone one step further by recognizing gender identity as a prohibited ground.

News Notes: IBM Agrees To Partly Settle Pension Lawsuit

IBM will pay $320 million to current and former employees in partial settlement of a long-running class action lawsuit charging that the company’s conversion of its traditional pension plan to a cash-balance plan illegally discriminated against older workers. Under the settlement terms, IBM’s additional liability, which is under consideration by a federal judge, will be […]

Developing a Recruiting Strategy? Don’t Forget Employer Brand

It’s comes as no surprise that HR professionals consistently name recruiting top talent and retaining valued employees among their toughest challenges. Developing a strategy to meet those challenges may entail a number of elements, but establishing and communicating the employer’s “brand” should never be overlooked.

New requirement to offer jobs to predecessor contractor’s workers takes effect January 18

by Judith E. Kramer An Executive Order issued nearly four years ago dealing with employees of federal contractors is set to take effect on January 18. President Barack Obama signed Executive Order 13495—Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts—on January 30, 2009. The order requires that contractors and subcontractors acquiring contracts that succeed contracts for […]

The Trap of Overbroad, Out-of–Date Policies

In yesterday’s Advisor, we found attorney Kevin Troutman’s first five threats and traps for HR managers; today, three more plus an introduction to the all-in-one HR website, HR.BLR.com. Troutman, who is a partner in the Houston office of law firm Fisher &Phillips LLP, blogged his threats and traps on Mondaq.com. [Go here for Traps 1 […]

Specter Reveals Possible EFCA Compromise

Senator Arlen Specter, the Republican-turned-Democrat from Pennsylvania, announced on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, at the AFL-CIO convention that he expects Congress to pass a version of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) before the end of the year. He referenced a compromise of the controversial bill that he has been working on and added, “We […]

HR Metrics: Count on Them

To reach the top levels of business, two experts advise using HR metrics. In a June 28 BLR audio conference, they’ll tell you how. Yesterday’s Daily Advisor carried the results of a survey of top HR generalists on what skills they’d most like to see in their successors. Many must have been surprised to find […]