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HR Management

State, local legislation addresses key employment-law issues

09/08/2023
According to the latest annual Labor Day report from the Littler Mendelson law firm’s Workplace Policy Institute, states are taking the lead on many important employment-law topics. The 2023 edition of the report spotlights recent legislation and regulations addressing workplace freedom of speech, AI in HR decision-making, noncompete agreements, pay transparency and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Prepare to drop or rewrite these handbook rules

09/06/2023
National Labor Relations Board rulings can affect the very rules you write into your handbook. The board’s Stericycle decision, issued in August, calls for a wholesale reexamination of the handbook rules that any private-sector employers seek to enforce, whether or not they operate in a union environment.

77% of employers report greater employee need for mental-health care

09/05/2023
An increase in mental-health challenges was cited as the most significant area of prolonged impact resulting from the pandemic. Last year, 44% of employers saw a rise in mental-health concerns, while 77% of employers reported an increase this year, with another 16% anticipating one in the future.

DOL proposes looser rules for employee representation during OSHA inspections

09/05/2023
The proposed rule clarifies that employees may authorize an employee, or they may authorize a non-employee third party if the compliance officer determines the third party is reasonably necessary to conduct an effective and thorough inspection.

Train supervisors to spot the signs of drug impairment

09/05/2023
Before you require an employee to submit to a drug-screening test, make sure your front-line supervisors really know how to spot the signs of impairment. The key: They must be able show that they have a reasonable suspicion that an employee may be under the influence of drugs. If they can’t, you may have a hard time defending the test if the employee decides to sue you.

Make internships part of your talent acquisition strategy

09/01/2023
Savvy employers know that the right intern can make a wonderful addition to the permanent staff once they complete their degree. You already have an idea of their capabilities and potential, and their previous introduction to your company’s practices and culture assists them in fitting in quickly. Here’s how to make internships part of your talent acquisition strategy.

Looking to change your workplace culture? Start in the middle

08/30/2023
Where do you start when you want to change your workplace culture? Andrea Belk Olson says it’s with middle managers. She also cites a Humu study that reports that HR managers are twice as likely to quit as individual contributors. Perhaps no middle managers have been faced with more challenges recently than those in HR roles.

Training a key indicator of effective organizational culture

08/28/2023
A full 83% of survey respondents from 439 organizations said training and learning facilitation had a positive influence on their workplace’s culture.

How to spot toxic behavior and biases before they become problematic

08/25/2023
Toxic behavior continues to find its way into the workplace. To combat this toxic culture, Catherine Mattice, CEO and founder of Civility Partners, outlined ways to identify toxic behavior in those you manage and tips to effectively eliminate toxicity entirely by challenging biases through her presentation “Being an Ally to Create an Inclusive Workplace” at SHRM ‘23.

Beware bias claims if you use AI to screen applicants

08/23/2023
If you use AI to screen applicants, watch out! The EEOC is primed to spot evidence of AI-caused discrimination.