Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
It’s estimated that a sincere, concerned, and skillful response to a problem can retain the business of about 95 percent of customers who complain. Below are some important points to convey to your employees: Most customers who complain are reasonable. They just want you to take their complaints seriously. They want you to demonstrate concern […]
You know that personal problems can have an adverse effect on employee performance. And one of the biggest personal problems is often finances–a burden which can sometimes come into stark focus at this time of year when holiday spending binges may occur. But even ongoing financial responsibilities can sometimes get out of hand–sometimes through no […]
One way to afford the expense of providing financial training, says Liz Davidson, CEO of Financial Finesse, Inc. (www.financialfinesse.com) is to use your 401(k) plan’s ERISA account. This account is sometimes used to pay for plan expenses and sometimes refunded to participants. As long as the financial education is targeted toward retirement, using the ERISA […]
One thing’s sure—when things go South, you’re going to catch the heat. Some of the most common problems: Performance Appraisals and Compensation Since performance appraisals are tied to compensation in most organizations, there’s a strong temptation for managers to “game the system.” They want certain people to get certain raises, so they manipulate the ratings […]
Pay Budgets 2.5 to 3 Percent Our survey revealed that most employers offered modest pay increases in 2012 and will do so again in 2013. In 2011 the average “planned” merit increase for 2012 was 2.1%. Actual merit increases for 2012,s however, were higher than anticipated for the first time in at least two years, […]
Personnel records are typically kept for employees, but what about independent contractors? What type of information should be kept on file to prove independent contractor status?
The answer to the question of how to motivate and engage employees is locked away in the employees, and in their values, beliefs and needs. Each of us has a unique set of motivational drivers. Unless a leader can align with these, it will be difficult to motivate and engage employees over the long term. […]
[Go here for 1 to 5] 6. A superior blocks a promotion for a subordinate who has firmly stated that the superior’s sexual remarks were unwelcome. This is another example of potential tangible employment action harassment. Of course, the superior can argue that he or she blocked the promotion for a good business reason, but […]
In the suit, Fry Electronics worker America Rios complained to her boss, Ka Lam, that her manager was sexting her and inviting her to his house to drink. After Lam reported the harassment to Fry’s legal department, he was fired, allegedly for “declining performance.” Unfortunately, Lam’s work had been consistently commended. This, of course, is […]
Show Me the Money Oswald, author of the Oswald Letter, suggests that HR can start by concentrating on three areas: turnover (see yesterday’s Advisor), productivity, and absence. Here’s how to present to him: Tell me how much your plan would save. Tell me how much your plan would cost. (That tells me what my ROI […]