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HR Management

‘Where do I find Elvis videos?’ and other IT inquiries

05/09/2012
Consulting firm Robert Half asked CIOs for the strangest employee requests they’ve received in their IT departments. Among the weirdest: “Can I turn the coffee pot on with my computer?”

Documentation: Not for your eyes only

05/09/2012
Under the rules of “discovery,” employees (and courts) are privy to almost any employment-related document during a dispute. Keep that in mind when you’re preparing in-house documents, formal and informal. Here are a few do’s and don’ts.

When employees are bilingual, it’s OK to require use of English in the workplace

05/03/2012

Employers can require employees to speak English at work, as long as they enforce the rule across the board. What they can’t do: Allow some employees to use one foreign language but punish others for using a third language.

Ensure training doesn’t foster discrimination

05/03/2012
If you have an internal training program designed to help em­­ployees advance their careers, make sure that it doesn’t unintentionally spur sex or other discrimination lawsuits.

When sexual harassment accusations fly, investigate and discipline right away

05/02/2012
Here’s a lesson learned from an employer that responded correctly when an employee complained about sexual harassment. Not only did it conduct a thorough investigation that helped it win a lawsuit, but it also prevented another potential sexual harassment claim when it discovered even more egregious behavior—from the original complainant himself.

Good documentation is the key to legally disciplining employees

05/01/2012
How you document a discipline issue can cause problems if an employee files a lawsuit. To protect your organization, follow these guidelines:

The HR I.Q. Test: May ’12

05/01/2012
Test your knowledge of recent trends in employment law, comp & benefits and other HR issues with our monthly mini-quiz …

 

Take off, knowing the office is in good hands

05/01/2012
Whether you want to enjoy a summer vacation or have to unexpectedly be out of the office because of a family emergency, actions you take now can save you from worrying about work. These preparations will make you confident that your colleagues can handle your absence.

Not a matter of style: Factor safety, liability into dress code

04/30/2012

A recent HR Specialist poll found that casual attire is the norm in 88% of our readers’ workplaces. But a culture of dressing down doesn’t mean organizations don’t need a dress code. What people wear to work is more than a matter of personal preference. One area of primary concern is safety.

You must pay for training that isn’t truly voluntary

04/30/2012
Do you require employees to complete after-hours training that will ben­­efit your operations but isn’t directly job-related? If so, you must pay them for their time, unless you can show that participation is truly voluntary.