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Survey shows how employers plan to handle upcoming holidays

Everybody enjoys a day off on a special occasion–especially if it’s a paid day off–and employers realize the benefits of offering such perks to employees. Employers may question, though, whether they’re handling holidays in the best way. The recent BLR Holiday Practices Survey provides insights on a variety of holiday practices. Major holidays The survey […]

Former National Guardsman Prevails on Reemployment Claims Against Employer

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) provides, at its core, reemployment rights for employees returning from military service and protection from employment discrimination following reemployment. Last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit clarified that a qualified service member’s reemployment rights can’t be delayed or otherwise limited […]

2013 H-1B Petitions to Be Accepted Beginning April 2

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting H-1B visa petitions for fiscal year 2013 on Monday, April 2. Petitions for the visas, which allow nonimmigrant specialists to temporarily work in the United States, will be considered accepted on the date USCIS takes possession of a properly filed petition with the correct fee. […]

Conflict Is Normal—The Way You Handle It Makes the Difference

“Frontline supervisors are terrified by the idea of conflict,” says Dennis A. Davis, Ph.D., “but [it] is a normal part of the work environment.” Fortunately, he says, careful management of conflict can be successful in reducing or eliminating it. When conflict festers, productivity suffers and the negativity spreads, Davis says. Unfortunately, without training, supervisors just […]

I’m Worried They’re Doing the Laundry Instead of the Work

Flexible scheduling and telework invariably raise the question in managers’ minds, How do I know they’re working? Consultant Dayna Fellows says, If they’re getting the job done, maybe you shouldn’t care about the laundry. One of the advantages to telecommuting that many organizations find is that it forces managers to manage by results rather than […]

Employee Internet Use: How To Guard Against New Online Risks-From Copyright Violations To Sexual Harassment

An employee has been copying pornographic images off the Internet and showing them to co-workers. Another has been using company e-mail to distribute racist jokes. And several others have downloaded some hot new software onto their office PCs-violating federal copyright laws. It’s bad enough these employees are surfing the Net instead of working. But you […]

Sued Again? Think Like a Plaintiff’s Lawyer for Best Results

When your organization is hit with a suit, you face a double-headed monster: substantial liability risks and open-ended litigation costs, says attorney Stewart Weltman. But the monster can be tamed. Society may behave according to the 10 Commandments. But if your organization gets sued, attorney Stewart M. Weltman, founder of the Weltman Law Firm in […]

New Way to Commute—It’s Not the Love Boat, It’s the Nerd Boat

Planes, trains, automobiles … and buses, subways, and vanpools. Mass transit is the enviro-friendly (and cost-conscious) way to get to work. Soon the list may include a new way for techies in the Big Apple to get to their jobs—they can take the “nerd boat” to DUMBO! Administration and the New York State Department of […]

California’s minimum wage expected to increase to $10

by Cathleen S. Yonahara On September 12, a bill that would increase California’s minimum wage passed the California Legislature and was sent to Governor Jerry Brown for his signature. Governor Brown has expressed support for the bill, stating, “This legislation is overdue and will help families that are struggling in this harsh economy.” Assembly Bill (AB) […]

Annual BLR Survey Results: How Big Will Raises Be in 2008?

BLR’s exclusive survey says that once again, the byword will be “no more than four.” And if you want more detail, we’ve got that, too. Fall is traditionally when organizations plan next year’s budget. A key component—in many cases, the key component—is how small or large a wage increase to plan for your people. One […]