HR Management

Managing ‘job creep’ in today’s jobless recovery

09/13/2011

More than half of all employees have taken on new roles during the economic downturn, according to a recent survey. That’s “job creep,” and it’s a big problem, with important employment law implications. It may already be hurting your company. Here’s how to fix it.

iPad for business: 13 great apps for you and your employees

09/09/2011

More employees in your organization—including you, possibly—are using iPads for business purposes. Courtesy of the editors at our sister newsletter Office Technology Today, here are some of the best apps to help maximize productivity in your workplace.

Upstate sporting goods store fined for endangering workers

09/07/2011

It could have given new meaning to the phrase “squeeze play.” Dick’s Sporting Goods has been fined after safety inspectors discovered that managers at a store in Queensbury failed to turn off a trash compactor before forcing employees to climb inside to clear jammed cardboard boxes.

Investigations: How to solve the classic ‘he said/she said’ impasse

09/07/2011

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.

The HR I.Q. Test: September ’11

09/06/2011

Test your knowledge of recent trends in employment law, comp & benefits and other HR issues with our monthly mini-quiz.

Feds find fault with ‘no fault’ attendance policies

09/06/2011

Verizon’s recent $20 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit—the largest disability settlement in EEOC history—is shining a spotlight on the legal risks of no-fault attendance policies. The lawsuit claimed the company violated the ADA by refusing to make exceptions to its no-fault attendance policy to accommodate employees with disabilities.

OSHA claims Niles dentist muzzled whistle-blowers

09/05/2011

Dr. A. Scott Santucci, a dentist in Niles, faces charges he harassed employees who refused to clean up two separate mercury spills at the practice’s office in 2010.

$100K in OSHA fines for Salem air filter factory

09/02/2011

OSHA has cited MM Industries’ factory in Salem for 38 serious safety and health violations. The company manufactures air filtration products at the plant. Safety violations ran the gamut, from not knowing how much weight a floor could bear to failing to install emergency lighting.

When racially charged symbols appear, remove them ASAP and punish culprits

09/02/2011

Here’s an incentive to keep racially hostile symbols out of the workplace: In a case that resulted in no other damages, five black employees received $50,000 each for spotting a noose at work.

Authorize managers to act fast to remove offensive material from workplace

09/01/2011

Here’s a good way to stop needless sexual or other harassment claims: Empower even low-level supervisors to immediately remove any material anyone could consider even remotely offensive. The best outcome: Offensive material disappears before anyone has a chance to complain.