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Communication

Avoid liability on investment advice given to staff

06/01/2004
Issue: If your organization offers a retirement plan, it has a legal responsibility for those accounts. Risk: A rash of financial and employee benefit scandals has sparked new legal and …

Here’s more reason to police supervisors’ compliance

06/01/2004
Issue: How much oversight should your organization exert on supervisors who handle potentially violent situations? Risk: Letting one misguided supervisor call the shots …

Don’t wait for a complaint to punish misbehaving staff

06/01/2004
Issue: Some supervisors believe in a “No complaints, no problem” motto. Risk: By ignoring blatant harassment or discrimination, supervisors open the organization to “negligent supervision” lawsuits. Action: Educate supervisors …

Silence pay-related complaints with wise words

06/01/2004
How do the employees at your organization feel about their compensation? If the answer is “Not good,” a bit of explanation from you can calm those troubled waters. Fact: Only 45 …

Notify employees if tracking them via GPS

06/01/2004
A small but growing number of employers use global positioning systems (GPS) to track employees. By 2006, most new cars will include GPS systems, as will cell phones. Advice: You already …

How to handle employee personality conflicts

05/01/2004
Issue: Employee disagreements are often laid at the feet of HR. Risk: Disputes can lower morale, cut productivity and even trigger violence. Action: Follow the following 5-step plan for …

Bankruptcy won’t shield you from COBRA claim.

04/01/2004
Don’t think you can escape your COBRA health-insurance continuation responsibilities simply because your organization files for Chapter 11. Recent case: A company filed for bankruptcy one month after it laid off …

Listen up! Are you really hearing what they’re saying?

04/01/2004
Issue: Strong listening skills are vital when handling sensitive personnel issues. Benefit: You’ll enhance your reputation among employees and the top brass as a problem-solver. Action: Practice the techniques …

When does ‘religious expression’ cross the line?

04/01/2004
Issue: You must walk a fine line between allowing employees’ religious expression and preventing that expression from harming the business or creating unbalanced treatment of employees. Benefit: Federal law says …

Interview the hiring manager before the candidates

04/01/2004

Q. I constantly run into this problem: I pre-screen a candidate who seems like a perfect fit for the job description. But when I send the person to the hiring manager for an interview, I’m told to keep looking for someone better. This is frustrating to the managers, the applicants and me. Any suggestions on how I can improve my pre-screening? —P.B., New Jersey