Productivity / Performance

Beware the potential legal risks of 360-degree performance reviews

07/08/2013

Seeking performance appraisal input from too many employees can cause problems if you’re sued by a terminated worker. The wider the net you cast, the more likely someone will be called to testify about his or her opinion of the discharged employee’s performance. The problem: If any of those co-workers retire, quit and move on, you may have trouble tracking them down.

Worried promotion might fail? Take a chance anyway

07/03/2013

Some employees rise to a challenge; others don’t. If you are worried that an employee you want to promote might not succeed but want to give her a chance, go ahead. As long as you give her ample training, it won’t appear to be a setup.

Promotions vs. external hires: Who performs better?

07/03/2013

External hires receive significantly lower performance evaluations and higher exit rates during their first two years on the job than do internal hires who are promoted into similar positions, according to a study by management professor Matthew Bidwell.

Poor review alone isn’t grounds for lawsuit

06/27/2013

Good news for bosses who get nervous when required to give poor performance evaluations: A negative performance review alone isn’t grounds for a lawsuit. It’s only if the review becomes the basis for discharge, demotion or a denied promotion that employees can take the matter to court.

4 keys for legally managing absenteeism

06/14/2013

The costs of absenteeism—in lost production, overtime and temp replacements for the absent worker—can add up quickly. Combat absenteeism with a clear policy, careful documentation and consistent discipline.

Waiting to fire slacker? Document your concerns

06/11/2013

If you have a poor-performing worker but don’t want to fire him before you have lined up a replacement, make sure you document all the problems—and your efforts to get him up to expectations.

To build high performance, remember the power of ‘Thank you!’

06/11/2013

In every workplace and on every team, all people have the innate desire to feel appreciated and valued by others. Leaders of teams—and team members themselves—should work to encourage a culture of appreciation.

10 ways to increase use of your employee assistance plan

05/21/2013

Is your organization reaping the full financial benefits of having an employee assistance program? If your employees aren’t using it, probably not.

Fix racial harassment before hostile environment starts affecting employee performance

05/10/2013

Employees who have to work in a hostile work environment may have a hard time doing their jobs well. When resulting poor performance leads management to fire someone, expect trouble. Your best bet is to address any hint at a hostile work environment right away.

Unseen lawsuit peril: Too much performance input from too many co-workers

05/09/2013

Seeking performance appraisal input from too many employees can cause problems if you’re sued by a terminated worker. The wider a net you cast, the more likely someone will be called to testify about his or her opinion of the discharged employee’s performance. The problem: If any of those co-workers retire, quit and move on, you may have trouble tracking them down.