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Employee Relations

Independent investigations by HR remove bosses’ biases

12/01/2007

If there’s one situation in which the HR function really earns its keep, it’s when an employer faces the prospect of having to discharge an employee. Sometimes—if a subordinate has a legitimate complaint against the supervisor, for example—the supervisor harbors illegal retaliatory motives. That’s when it’s best to have an independent decision-maker involved …

Go ahead and discipline, even when considering FMLA leave

12/01/2007

Employees who ask for FMLA leave often act as if they are immune from any sort of discipline. But that’s simply not the case. Even if an employee has applied for or is actually on FMLA leave, you can and should punish rule breaking. Just make sure you aren’t treating an employee who takes FMLA leave more harshly than any other employee. Equitable discipline is the rule …

Got wind of harassment? Fast action can cut liability

12/01/2007

We all would like to believe harassment and discrimination can’t happen where we work. Of course, we’re dreaming if we do. Ordinary people sometimes fall back on old stereotypes or react strongly to newly perceived dangers by inappropriately striking out at a group or nationality. Fortunately for employers, isolated acts of harassment, if stopped dead in their tracks, won’t come back to haunt them years later …

Concierge services: Are they right for your organization?

12/01/2007

Between the year-end business crunch and the bustle of the holidays, December can be the most stressful month for your employees. Concierge services can take on some of your workers’ holiday planning and shopping by doing personal errands like locating hard-to-find presents, ordering gift baskets, making family dinner reservations, picking up dry cleaning and buying theater tickets …

Boost employee morale at low cost with surprise days off

12/01/2007

Your organization is trying to hold the line on benefits costs, but you still want to offer competitive perks. One good way: Provide extra days off—a low-cost benefit that employees highly value. Organizations of all sizes can use the tactic …

Inject more oversight, responsibility into flex schedules

12/01/2007

Seems like many employees view flexible work arrangements as an entitlement these days—maybe because HR has pushed the idea for years as a way to accommodate work/life conflicts. Putting more structure and accountability into the process makes flexibility less of an ad hoc perk. Here are four ways to structure flexible work arrangements in a more systematic way …

Automakers denounce HHS for recommending foreign cars

12/01/2007

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has apologized to Detroit’s Big Three automakers for a department newsletter that advised staffers to buy foreign cars to save fuel. The newsletter recommended 12 “green” cars, all of which came from Japan or South Korea. …

Want productive employees? Let them have windows

12/01/2007

According to a recent study, employees are more productive if they have windows in their work areas. That’s one reason the new SAP Labs in Palo Alto, CA, have incorporated lots of windows. Does it really work? …

Michigan disabilities act and the ADA: important differences

12/01/2007

Michigan employers must comply with Michigan’s Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act (PWDCRA) and the federal ADA. Although the laws are similar, there are differences employers need to understand …

No substantial limitation? Obesity isn’t an ADA disability

12/01/2007

Even as America’s waistline expands, employers can take some comfort in knowing that obesity, by itself, does not constitute a disability under the ADA. Unless an employee’s obesity substantially limits his ability to perform a major life function, he isn’t covered by the ADA …