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Where’s that Goat?

Wow, is this tough. I really don’t know whether I can get the words out. Still, I know it’s true, so I have to say it—so, here goes . . . no, no . . . wait. OK, take a breath, calm yourself, and just let people know what’s on your mind: The Cubs are […]

EEOC broadens priorities in new enforcement plan

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is signaling employers that the agency is expanding its focus on emerging employment issues. And given the drastic change taking place in today’s workplace, the new priorities aren’t surprising, according to an attorney well-versed on the “gig economy” and other challenging employment issues.  The EEOC recently announced its updated […]

The most homogenous place on Earth?

by Mark I. Schickman Remembering that employment discrimination has been illegal for less than 50 years, workplace accommodation has come a long way. The first accommodation laws protected people with cancer, back when cancer was feared to be contagious. The law was put to the test when it was applied to protect people infected with […]

What Do Your Colleagues Think?

Note that the questions and responses that deal specifically with training are underlined. What’s the best way to get workers to be safer at work? 74%    Training, training, training 11%    Safety incentives 9%      Discipline 6%      Something else Should willfull, repeat OSHA violators be allowed removal from the Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP) log? 68%    No […]

I Am the Office Manager … With No HR Experience

Just My E-pinionBy Cindy McPherrin Cindy McPherrin, today’s guest columnist, offers her thoughts on the challenges of coping with her suddenly acquired HR responsibilities. (We’d like to hear about the challenges you’re facing as well.) I am the office manager of a two-family owned mid-size design/building firm. We have professional architects, we provide construction management […]

Will BlackBerries Give HR a Black Eye?

By BLR Founder and Publisher Bob Brady Our CEO (and Chief BlackBerry User) wonders whether the time nonexempt workers spend checking in with BlackBerry-type devices might eventually be considered legally compensable under FLSA. Wherever you go, from the canyons of Wall Street to the canyons of our national parks, you can depend on one thing: […]

HOT LIST: New York Times Bestselling Business Books

The following is a list of the bestselling hardcover business books as ranked by the New York Times on January 7. 1. Jim Cramer’s Stay Mad for Life, by James J. Cramer with Cliff Mason. (Simon & Schuster, $26.) The host of “Mad Money” on CNBC explains how to get rich and stay rich. 2. […]

Leave, Contract, Public Policy May ‘Protect’ from Firing

In yesterday’s Advisor, we presented the first two “fire-retardant” categories; today, three more, plus an introduction to a new online training system for your managers and supervisors. Some employees are “fire-retardant”—that is, tricky to fire because of their position, but they’re not impossible to fire. Here are three more categories of employees who may be […]

Employers Face Decisions for 2010 While Health Care Reform Is Debated

Employers’ HR and benefits teams are facing the question of what to do in response to pending health care reform. Competing health care proposals are being hotly debated by Congress and the White House in Washington, D.C., and by legislators and their constituents around the country. The debate presents the full range of options, from […]

Holiday Season (and Year-Round) Stress: How to Handle It

Today’s workforce operates under high pressure, especially at holiday season. Here are some tools to help them handle the load. Holiday season is one of the most joyous times of the year, but it’s also one of the most stressful. Gift buying fever is at its peak, and the malls are jammed. Even worse are […]