Communication

Hug or a handshake: Which does your workplace embrace?

03/08/2011

Like people, some workplaces welcome huggers. Others prefer a smartly extended right hand. “To hug or not to hug” is the question … and here’s the answer.

Improve Your E-Mail Efficiency

03/03/2011

Billions of e-mail messages are sent each day, but one study estimates that the average employee wastes more than 40 minutes a day on worthless e-mail. That doesn’t even include the jokes your friends and family forward and the unnecessary messages your colleagues copy to everyone in the office. Here’s how you can trim the time you spend on e-mail.

Car salesman fired over Packers necktie lands on feet

02/25/2011

Before the Chicago Bears played the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game, car salesman John Stone wore a Packers necktie to work at Chicago’s Webb Chevrolet. General Manager Jerry Roberts asked Stone to remove the tie. He refused and was fired. When Roberts learned of Stone’s reason for wearing the tie, he offered him his job back. By then Stone had already packed up to move to rival Chevrolet of Homewood.

Learn to adapt your communication style

02/24/2011

One of your best weapons, when it comes to persuading others, is an adaptable communication style. Look out for these four styles of communicators, and adjust your approach when working with them.

After NLRB ruling, can employees really trash you on Facebook?

02/21/2011

Don’t read too much into the recent foray by the NLRB into the brave new world of social media. Employees don’t receive a free pass on social media posts. They don’t have license to defame, disparage or otherwise trash their company, management, product or co-workers. Until the NLRB says otherwise, employers shouldn’t treat social media any differently than any other form of employee communications.

Ready to punish slacking employee? First, have a talk with her

02/21/2011

If you hesitate to discuss problems with employees before disciplining them, it may be time to reconsider. After all, employees often admit their mistakes when confronted directly. Any admissions the employee makes during the interview can be used later to support your disciplinary decision.

6 tips to help managers approach–and turn around–poor performers

02/18/2011

No manager enjoys having “the talk” with employees. But ignoring an employee’s poor performance won’t make the problem go away; it’ll only make things worse. Tell managers they can improve the odds for positive change by following these six rules of employee engagement:

Shift recruiting, retention priorities to beat ‘talent paradox’

02/17/2011

The challenges facing HR pros who specialize in talent, compensation and benefits are dramatically different today than they were just a year ago. At Deloitte Consulting, we call it “the talent paradox”—the apparent contradiction that occurs when unemployment is still relatively high, yet companies still are seeing significant shortages in critical talent areas.

Make your arbitration agreements stick: Consult lawyer, communicate with employees

02/15/2011

If you’re considering so-called alternative dispute resolution, be sure to have an experienced attorney draw up the arbitration agreement. It should clearly state that all employment disputes will be handled by arbitration. Your role in HR is to take all necessary steps to ensure employees understand that agreeing to arbitration is a condition of employment.

How to prevent succession planning from triggering discrimination complaints

02/04/2011

Many companies design succession plans so they can spot the next generation of leaders early and develop current employees to their full potential. If your organization is involved in such a process, step back and look: Does everyone who is tapped for special treatment come from the same race or gender? Or does the chosen group exclude older workers or the disabled?