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HR Management

How to steer clear of a workplace smackdown (even if you’re not an NFL coach)

10/18/2011
The most talked about moment from last weekend’s NFL games was the near-miss post-game smackdown between San Francisco 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh and Detroit Lions Coach Jim Schwartz. The odd “fight or flight” incident left lots of football fans chuckling, but it got BusinessManagementDaily.com blogger Scott Eblin thinking: Did it offer conflict-management lessons we could all apply in the workplace? Watch the video and decide for yourself.

Managing the downturn: A 13-step plan to avoid layoffs

10/17/2011
AGM Container Controls was lucky to have a good period of growth during the most recent recession, so it didn’t have to lay off any employees, says CEO Howard Stewart. In fact, AGM hasn’t laid off anyone for 20 years. Stewart has made it official policy to follow a 13-step plan to avoid layoffs in the future:

Catching up to the 21st century: Courts and social media

10/12/2011
There aren’t many published court opinions analyzing the propriety of company policies aimed at guiding employees on appropriate use of social media. However, a recent Minnesota Court of Appeals decision is one of the first in the state to provide such guidance.

Better meetings 101: Prep participants to arrive engaged

10/11/2011
By changing the way attendees show up for meetings, you can help transform the work that happens inside of them. Help team meetings run more smoothly by making sure attendees come into the meeting room ready to engage. Try these two tips.

HR detective: How to solve the classic ‘he said/she said’ mystery

10/11/2011
It’s a mistake that’s all too common: An employer investigating harassment claims or other workplace infraction fails to act when the inquiry bumps up against a “he said/she said” wall. There are four factors critical to assessing witness credibility: demeanor, consistency, chronology, and past history and motivations.

How do you usually convince executives to heed your HR advice?

10/11/2011
Economic rationales and the fear of being sued tend to get executives’ attention.

10 ways to perk up open enrollment season

10/10/2011

The double-whammy of incessant media focus on health care reform, plus employees’ acute awareness of rising health care premiums, means they’re paying attention to their benefits in a way that most never did before. You can capitalize on this trend by using this open enrollment season to make an extra effort to educate workers about their health benefits and help them decide which plan options work best for them.

Holiday sampler: 4 treats to make HR’s season bright

10/08/2011
The holidays are special, but they’re also an HR headache. Our early gift to you: Advice on everything from planning seasonal celebrations to handling end-of-year scheduling hassles.

Take it on faith: You can accommodate religious diversity

10/07/2011
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits em­­ployers from discriminating against employees based on their religious beliefs. As America becomes more diverse, employers are facing more issues that concern employee faith, including requests for time off and dress and grooming standards.

Blind sided by an employee’s inglorious Internet activity

10/05/2011
Wonder what employees are really doing on those computers all day? A new court ruling shows that if they’re engaging in illegal cyber activities, you can show them the door. Just make sure you’ve shown them your cyber rulebook first …