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HR Management

Twittering away the day on FMLA

01/03/2011
Have you ever searched Twitter for the term “FMLA”? You’ll find some interesting interpretations on how people use their “family” or “medical” time off. Chicago law firm Franczek Radelet PC collected these recent tweets:

Are employers required to ban texting while driving?

12/31/2010
The legal wall against texting while driving is building. In 2009, an executive order prohibited federal employees from doing it. In 2010, federal regulations made it illegal for commercial truck and bus drivers to do it. And laws in at least 30 states make it unlawful for all drivers to text in the driver’s seat. But what about drivers who aren’t covered under any of those laws?

Staffing firm employees collect, donate clothes

12/30/2010

Employees of Robert Half International are giving the business suits off their backs to help others find jobs. The Menlo Park, Calif.-based staffing company invited its own employees and those of nearby businesses to donate “interview appropriate” clothing to disadvantaged job-seekers through its “Dress for Success” program.

How toxic is your workplace fridge?

12/28/2010
With more employees brown-bagging it due to the sluggish economy, workplace refrigerators are becoming more crowded … and germ-infested.

For desk jobs, standing is the new sitting

12/24/2010
An increasing number of employees at desk jobs are taking a stand for their health and ditching their chairs. GeekDesk, which sells standing desks, says sales are likely to triple this year.

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire … or, in some cases, no hire

12/22/2010
Many employers are deciding not to hire smokers, and still more are trying to limit employees’ use of tobacco. Companies are screening new hires for nicotine as a condition for employment, imposing higher health-benefit premiums for smokers and trying to help smokers quit. Policies run the gamut:

How to take control of your workday

12/21/2010
How can you succeed at work, stay sane and still get home on time? By seizing control over your day, you’ll boost your value to the organization and advance  your career in the process. Follow these five steps to adjust your attitude and priorities.

New tax law delivers savings–and benefits changes–that affect HR

12/21/2010
The contentious tax law signed by President Obama last week brings tax savings to workers nationwide—and contains several provisions that will affect HR. Here’s a round-up of various elements—from Social Security withholding to tuition reimbursement to on-site child care—that you’ll have to deal with when the law takes effect on Jan. 1.

Scrooges on staff? 8 ways to turn ’em around

12/21/2010

As another year winds down, the economy isn’t the only thing that’s in a slump. Plenty of workers are in the doldrums, too. They feel stuck in their jobs because new ones are hard to come by. They can’t afford to retire. So they’re not performing as well as employees who look at their jobs as labors of love. Here’s how HR can help get them back on track.

N.J. Supreme Court backs former HR exec who copied documents

12/21/2010

The New Jersey Supreme Court has handed disgruntled employees a big weapon to use against their employers. The court ruled that Joyce Quinlan was within her rights to photocopy company documents—some of which were confidential—to use in a lawsuit against Curtiss-Wright, the aerospace company where she once served as executive director of human resources.