HR Management

A ‘sledgehammer’ to social media policies

06/22/2012

Even if you included a new social media policy in your employee handbook recently, it’s time to review it again. The NLRB issued a report recently that called into question the legality of some of the wording employers commonly use in their social media policies.

How far must we go to accommodate employees’ unusual religious beliefs?

06/20/2012

Q. We have an employee who claims to be a witch. She contends that witchcraft is her religion and has asked for certain holidays off. Are we required to accommodate this employee’s request?

8 flex trends that will affect your company

06/18/2012

As more organizations allow employees to adjust their schedules and telework, it puts pressure on other employers to offer the same flexibility—or lose out when it comes to recruiting and retaining quality workers. A recent study of employers’ workplace flexibiliity practices uncovered eight trends you need to understand.

Lessons from GSA scandal: Incentives require proper management

06/15/2012

If we’ve learned anything from the recent GSA scandal involving a lavish Las Vegas convention and expensive gifts to employees, it’s that not every kind of incentive program is justifiable. Follow these eight steps to create an incentive program that appropriately promotes your performance goals:

7 ways to limit your social media liability

06/14/2012

Online social networking sites provide a variety of benefits to organizations. They can help you collect industry-based knowledge, reach new customers, build your brand and publicize your company’s name and reputation. But those benefits come with their fair share of legal risks. You need a comprehensive social media policy to guide employees on your expectations about their online behavior.

Use chemicals at work? Heed new OSHA standards

06/13/2012

OSHA has updated its hazard communication standard to harmonize it with international standards. Companies that manufacture, transport or have chemicals in the workplace must begin complying with the new standard by June 26.

Staff, applicants lack needed skills? 6 ways to close the gap

06/12/2012

Nearly one-third of employers say they can’t find qualified candidates to fill their open jobs, up from 24% a year ago, according to CareerBuilder. Here are six ways employers are addressing the post-recession skills shortage:

Twin Davie firms share 17 OSHA citations

06/11/2012

OSHA has cited Merlin Industries Inc. and Thermal Concepts Inc.—two Davie businesses owned by the same family and sharing the same address—for 17 safety violations, worth $59,100 in fines.

Didn’t know employee wanted training? Be sure to extend invitation next time

06/11/2012

Failing to offer some employees the opportunity to participate in training can mean a possible lawsuit. But that’s only true if the employee who missed out on the training opportunity let it be known that he was interested.

New scrutiny may change the way employers access social media

06/08/2012

Before you plunge into cyberspace in search of information on applicants (or current employees), understand the legal implications. Employers’ efforts to access employees’ and applicants’ private social media websites have recently been subject to increased scrutiny by New York and federal legislators.