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HR Management

Management 101: Never hand off work without a checklist

05/10/2011

More than ever, work is collaborative. And where do things go wrong when it comes to collaborative work? At the handoff. It’s usually not because someone is incompetent or lazy; it’s due to poor communication. The bottom line: We all need checklists. Use or adapt this “handoff checklist” when delivering a project assignment, suggests the Harvard Business Review blog.

Monitoring the virtual water cooler: Employees on Facebook and more

05/10/2011

It’s a sure thing: Your employees are using social media such as Facebook and Twitter. That means you need to make conscious decisions about how to address social media issues with your employees. Proactively develop a policy so you don’t get stuck doing damage control—perhaps becoming the latest talk heard ’round the virtual water cooler.

Drinking at work: Don’t raise a glass to new trend

05/10/2011
A recent BusinessWeek story pours out several examples of companies embracing the idea of drinking at work. While occasional celebrations are fine, offering an unlimited liquid buffet is simply asking for employment law trouble.

Where there’s smoke … can you fire (or refuse to hire)?

05/09/2011
Many employers are deciding not to hire smokers, screen new hires for nicotine as a condition for employment, impose higher health-benefit premiums for smokers and try to help smokers quit. While employers are free to ban smoking in their workplaces, taking action based on what employees do on their own time outside of work is much more controversial and raises a host of legal issues.

When does 50 not equal 50? FMLA coverage versus FMLA eligibility

05/06/2011

Most people think of 50 as the magic number for the FMLA. “Oh, we have 50 employees, so now we have to comply with the FMLA,” is a popular refrain among HR departments. It is not that simple. The FMLA has two different rules that must be met before you have to offer FMLA leave to an employee—coverage and eligibility, which both have the magic number 50 as a key component.

How to improve the job candidate experience

05/06/2011
How would you grade your organization’s application process? Tracking the candidate experience can improve it and enhance your organization’s HR brand among potential applicants. First step: Solicit feedback from candidates about their experiences with recruiting, application, interviewing and web site interaction.

Must we give drug policy to an ex-employee?

05/05/2011
Q. We just terminated an employee for testing positive for PCP. Now the former employee wants a copy of our drug-testing policy. Do I have to provide it?

Check your FMLA policy: Does it comply with new leave expansions?

05/04/2011
Congressional actions often grab the headlines, but recent executive branch moves have subtly expanded those who qualify for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Make it a point to regularly review your FMLA policy to ensure it is up-to-date and complies with the latest laws, court decisions and Department of Labor regulations and interpretations.

Double-check ID records! No-match letters are back

05/04/2011

After a three-year hiatus, the Social Security Administration has resumed sending no-match letters to employers, alerting them when em­ployees’ Social Security numbers don’t jibe with the ones in its database. While it’s unclear whether the resumption will harm employers, now is a good time to make sure your employment eligibility verification processes are in good shape.

NLRB presses first case involving Twitter posts

05/03/2011
Employees have the right to discuss working conditions, whether face-to-face around the water cooler or in the online world. The National Labor Relations Board seems intent on making sure employers understand that social media posts are protected, too. Hot on the heels of a decision involving Facebook, the NLRB is now tackling Twitter. Tip: Time for you to develop a social media policy.