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HR Management

Personal cellphone: Must we pay if it’s used for work?

10/21/2013
Q. An employee uses his own smartphone to access company email and conduct work from home. The work is on his own initiative—it’s not required, but we’re aware of it. Are we obligated to pay any portion of his monthly bill?

Better late than never? No! These tips help tackle tardiness

10/18/2013
Employees who are chronically tardy can cause just as many problems as those who don’t show up at all. Use these tips when counseling a chronically late employee:

Find management candidates who will stick

10/17/2013
It’s a common scenario: A manager rewards a top employee with a promotion to a supervisory role—and the employee struggles. When considering candidates for promotion to a supervisory position, look for these traits.

Angry callers: like putty in your hands

10/16/2013
Turn a growling caller into a purring, pleased customer, with these techniques.

Posting employee pics online: Is a waiver required?

10/16/2013
Q. Do we need a signed waiver before we post pictures of our staff on our website, Facebook page or other Web-based media?  

Not quite ready to fire? Try a last-chance agreement

10/15/2013
Few will argue that serious employee misconduct requires anything but serious consequences. However, if immediate termination isn’t wanted or warranted, use a last-chance agreement.

Democrats, Republicans united on National Work & Family Month!

10/11/2013
Finally, a measure that enjoys bipartisan support on Capitol Hill: a Senate resolution officially designating October as National Work & Family Month.

Workplace lexicon: acc

10/11/2013
According to National Public Radio blogger Elise Hu, an acc in an email is even worse than the dreaded but invisible bcc because it is a “passive-aggressive move that blindsides the original party.”

Does Minnesota’s smoking ban law include employees’ use of ‘e-cigarettes’?

10/10/2013
Q. We have a no-smoking policy that complies with Minnesota’s smoking ban. A number of employees have asked if our policy applies to electronic cigarettes or “e-cigarettes.” We are not sure what to tell them. Must we ban the use of the e-cigarettes in the workplace? Are we allowed to if we want to?

4-point checklist clarifies open enrollment

10/10/2013
With key pieces of health care reform going into effect, employers that offer health benefits have even more to consider when implementing this year’s open enrollment. Make the most of your annual benefits sign-up by following this checklist.