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HR Management

Review privacy and surveillance policies in light of new California Supreme Court ruling

09/21/2009

The California Supreme Court has ruled in a case involving video camera surveillance and employee privacy rights. The court said employees do indeed have a right to considerable privacy at work, but that in this particular case the employer had acted reasonably and limited the surveillance to what was necessary under the circumstances.

Adopt civility policy, punish disruptive behavior

09/21/2009

The workplace is meant for working, and employers have the right to expect their employees to behave themselves. You can and should demand that all your employees treat each other, customers, supervisors and everyone else with dignity. If you don’t already have a civility rule, consider adopting one.

5 signs you’re sending negative vibes

09/21/2009

Real professionals are often in the position of having to say “no” to employees. Don’t make that negative perception worse with the nonverbal cues you may be inadvertently giving off. Here are five negative “microexpressions” common to women …

Follow CDC’s employer guidance for flu season

09/18/2009

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published new guidelines to help employers prepare for the flu season, which is expected to include rapid spread of the H1N1 influenza (swine flu). The CDC encourages employers to take these steps:

Study: 401(k) matches a victim of recession

09/18/2009

On top of the declining value of their investments, many employees also saw their employers’ 401(k) matching contributions disappear during the recession. A Grant Thornton survey found that 29% of companies reduced or intend to modify their contributions to employees’ 401(k) accounts.

‘Sexting’ causes growing harassment risk in workplaces

09/18/2009

HR is being forced to respond to an increasing number of sexual harassment claims revolving around explicit photos sent via text message, a practice known as “sexting.” Latest case: A Hooters waitress in Florida sued, saying her manager sexually harassed her by texting explicit photos.

FLSA lawsuit cocktail: Hourly staff mixing work, lunch

09/18/2009

When is your most diligent worker also your biggest lawsuit risk? Answer: When that nonexempt employee works through his or her lunch break or during other off-the-clock hours—a fact nobody realizes (or turns a blind eye to) until he or she sues for unpaid overtime.

Do e-mail confidentiality notices provide protection?

09/18/2009

You see them all the time. The paragraph of legalese at the bottom of e-mails that attempts to provide protection from misdirected e-mails. Do they do any good?

Fatal injuries decline, but workplace suicides rise

09/18/2009

Last year, 5,071 Americans died on the job due to injuries. That’s down more than 10% from 2007. One disturbing trend: The number of suicides committed at the workplace jumped 28% last year to 251, the highest number ever recorded in a year.

Teach bosses right way to handle doctor notes

09/18/2009

Some supervisors become visibly annoyed when receiving a doctor’s note that sets work restrictions on one of their employees. If the employee sees that reaction and then suffers discipline or termination soon after, watch out! He or she could link the timing of the two events as evidence of discrimination or retaliation.