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HR Management

What should we consider as we implement a community service evaluation measure?

09/23/2009

Q. Our CEO just implemented a new employee evaluation goal that calls for employees to do charitable volunteer work throughout the year. The more they volunteer, the higher the points they receive on their review, ultimately increasing their salaries. Can we do this without risk?

What should we do? Employee has used all her sick leave, but she’s still sick

09/23/2009

Q. One of our employees is out sick and has already used up all her sick leave hours. Can we legally subtract from her vacation time instead?

Train supervisors to refer potential FMLA leave requests to HR

09/23/2009

Employees who need FMLA leave don’t have to specifically say so. They just have to give enough information to let their employers know they may have a serious health condition. That’s why you need to train supervisors to let HR handle all leave requests involving health problems of any sort.

Warn employees: We’re monitoring your e-mail

09/21/2009

California employees have a constitutional right to privacy. That doesn’t mean, however, that employers can’t monitor e-mail sent to and from company computers and servers. The key: a policy that makes it clear that transmittals are not private.

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.