Most Popular

Readers’ Story: Consoling the Cat

Have you ever had an employee miss work only to give you a far-fetched reason for their absence? A recent survey touched on a few odd excuses, like being too distraught after watching The Hunger Games. This SBT reader, who works in the construction industry, had a similar experience. The employee in question had an […]

IT Talent Gap: Tips to Overcome the Tech Labor Shortage

Despite the current backdrop of economic certainty, organizations both large and small are dealing with an acute and prolonged level of job vacancies across their IT teams. Exacerbating the problem is the fact that every sector of business competes for skilled tech workers these days. Technology has become such an integral part of the way […]

Cupcake Wars—Drunk Desserts on the Job Not a Reason for Termination

Most people know that you can’t drink on the job, especially if you are a school bus driver, right? It also wouldn’t be a shock to anyone that a transportation worker would get in trouble for offering her coworkers booze. So, it’s kind of surprising that a company got into a lot of hot water […]

Who’s Got Policies on What? Survey Says …

Do you have a policy on background checks? Social media? Want to know about policies your competitors have? Here are the results of our 2014 Policies survey. The results of BLR’s 2014 Policy Practices Survey are in; here are some highlights: 89.8% of participants have formalized policies. 77.5% have an at-will employment statement. Employee handbooks […]

How to Sell HR Ideas to CFOs

In yesterday’s Advisor, consultant Karl Ahlrichs filled us in on CFOs; today, he says, “Get in their mindset,” plus we introduce HR Audit Checklists Read what your CFO reads, Ahlrichs says, and send article clippings to the CFO to make your case over time. For example, says Ahlrichs, check out: CFO Magazine CFO.com The Economist […]

COVID-19

OSHA Issues COVID-19 Guidance for Restaurant Industry

On Friday, May 1, in a series of industry-specific guidance on COVID-19 safety measures, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a number of recommendations for employers in the restaurant and food and beverage industries.

Legalized Gambling: What Employers Need to Know

Employers throughout the country are facing new challenges because of many states’ efforts to legalize conduct previously prohibited by criminal law. While this conduct has long been illegal, the changes to state law mean employers must now confront the intersection of what is now legal and permissible behavior with impacts on work performance. No, we […]

Recertification Request Doesn’t Interfere with FMLA Rights

An employer’s request for medical recertification to establish eligibility for Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave didn’t violate the Act, the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals (which covers Arkansas) recently ruled. Missing 16 consecutive days rather than the expected four to five days set forth in the original medical certification was a significant […]