Employee Relations

Make sure your good records are dated, too

10/12/2017

When it comes to litigation, employers that keep meticulous performance records and can pinpoint exactly when they made important employment decisions typically fare better than those who keep sloppy records.

Carefully document sudden performance slide

10/11/2017

Sometimes an excellent employee who has received great reviews and consistent raises exhibits a sudden performance decline. When that happens, be sure to carefully document the changes in his or her work.

How to question a witness about a workplace incident

10/11/2017

In questioning someone, you suddenly gain power over that person … and it’s incredibly easy for that to go wrong.

Ensure people respond to emails

09/27/2017

No doubt it’s frustrating when people won’t return your emails. Follow these tips to garner a response without damaging the work relationship.

… You need to enforce the rules

09/27/2017

No matter how “casual” or “creative” your people and workplace are, you’ll eventually need to enforce some basic work rules. Here’s how to lay down the law without turning into an ogre or demotivating your team.

Use your ‘poker face’ when hearing complaints

09/14/2017

When listening to employee complaints of potential discrimination or harassment, your brain may be thinking “You’ve got to be kidding me!” but your face and voice need to say, “I hear your complaint and will investigate it fully.”

Are you obligated to investigate before firing? For at-will employees, you have discretion

09/12/2017

What kind of investigation, if any, is required before an employer can fire a worker for what it believes is some kind of misconduct?

Employers like open space, employees don’t

09/12/2017

Wide open spaces aren’t all they’re cracked up to be in the office, a new survey of workers shows. Employees polled by staffing firm Robert Half said open floor plans are among the least productive and most stressful work environments.

How one company saw the light on stay interviews

09/10/2017

What will you do today to find out if your best employee is thinking of leaving you?

Meet the new boss: How to approach an existing team

09/09/2017

Whether you’re managing a new team as a result of a promotion, job change or an organizational restructure, stepping in to lead a pre-existing team—and the established dynamics, group norms and expectations they tend to possess—demands a thoughtful management strategy. Here are some tips on how to manage a new staff.