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Employee Relations

Note to thin-skinned employees: Constructive criticism doesn’t qualify you for unemployment

09/02/2011

Employees who work under genu­­inely intolerable conditions can quit their jobs and still collect un­­em­­ployment compensation. But those situations are rare—and don’t provide cover for overly sensitive workers. Supervisors routinely criticize employees and offer suggestions for improvement. That’s normal and doesn’t constitute harassment.

How to manage ‘super-qualified’ employees

08/31/2011
With unemployment still running above 9% nationally, many people are taking jobs that are lateral—or even downward—moves in their careers. As a result, many managers are supervising employees who have far more experience than the job requires. Use the following guidelines to effec­tively manage overqualified workers and lengthen their stay:

Keep meticulous employee performance records

08/26/2011
Face it: One of these days, a disgruntled former employee will sue your organization. You can’t predict which one—or for what reason. That’s one of the most important reasons to keep detailed and meticu­­lous records on employee performance.

Is it legal for employees to secretly record their performance evaluation meetings?

08/26/2011
Q. One of our employees secretly used his iPhone to make an audio recording of his review meeting. Is that legal?

Trust your fair policies: they’ll prevail in court

08/26/2011

It’s a simple fact: You can’t tell which of your employees might sue you one day or for what reason. Your only real protection is fairness. If you treat all employees equally and provide them with the same opportunities, training and discipline, chances are any lawsuit will eventually be dismissed.

Placed on PIP? That’s no reason to quit

08/26/2011
Employees placed on performance improvement plans (PIP) sometimes suspect that they are about to be fired. But that doesn’t mean they can jump the gun, quit and apply for unemployment compensation.

Miami bank VP behind bars–& barred from banking for life

08/26/2011
For 15 years, Silvia Angelico Nieto served faithfully as a vice president and relationship manager in Northern Trust N.A.’s international private banking division. Or so the Miami bank thought. Turns out, she spent at least part of that time misdirecting more than $4 million dollars into her own personal bank accounts.

Put brakes on discipline when allegations of supervisor harassment seem credible

08/26/2011
It would be naïve to think your organization’s supervisors would never sexually harass subordinates. Here’s what to do when an em­­ployee complains she’s being sexually har­­­­assed. Make sure you investigate thoroughly. Don’t approve any discipline recommended by the same supervisor until you have had a chance to verify or disprove the allegations.

Employee’s poor personal hygiene puts you in a difficult situation

08/15/2011

Telling a person they have bad breath or body odor is difficult to do. That’s why so many managers toss this employee problem HR’s way. You need to toss it back to the managers.

Workplace Pranks: More Costly Than Funny

08/15/2011
As April Fool’s Day approaches, some employees might be scheming to pull a range of pranks on unsuspecting co-workers. Of the 6,800-plus employees surveyed by Careerbuilder.com in 2008, 32% reported having either initiated or been on the receiving end of an April 1 prank.