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HR Management

Monitor your social networks in one place

06/26/2009

More HR pros are turning to social networking sites for professional and business connections. But it takes a lot of time and effort to check your individual Facebook, LinkedIn and other communities. Save time with Flock and Netvibes.

Improve training via simpler PowerPoint slides

06/26/2009

Complicated visuals cause listeners to ignore your voice while trying to decipher the slide. Here are three rules for better PowerPoints:

Monitoring the virtual water cooler: Facebook and beyond

06/26/2009

Odds are that many forms of social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, are already thriving in your workplace. As an employer, it’s best to make a conscious decision 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.

Can we listen in on employees’ phone calls?

06/26/2009

Q. We have a good reason to believe that one of our employees is divulging proprietary company information to a friend of his who works for our competition. We have a device that would allow us to listen in on his phone conversations, but not record it. Is it within our rights as an employer to listen in on his calls?

Problem Solved: Real People … Real HR Solutions, July ’09

06/26/2009

This month’s collection of real-world quick tips from American business leaders, brought to you by members of The Alternative Board.

Exonerated, gone anyway: You can independently assess misconduct

06/26/2009

A New Jersey appeals court has upheld the termination of an employee even though a government agency cleared him of the alleged misconduct that led to his dismissal. That means employers still have the right to make their own decisions about conduct and what they believe happened.

OK to punish complainer if you find wrongdoing

06/26/2009

Workplace investigations sometimes open a can of worms. What if, for example, you find out that an employee complaining about sexual harassment had engaged in wrongdoing, too? Even if the wrongdoing is related to the underlying sexual harassment complaint, you can and should punish the employee for that.

Use plain language on work documents so everyone can understand them

06/26/2009

Most companies employ a broad range of workers with varying backgrounds. Those who are well-educated will have no trouble reading and understanding an application or employee handbook. Others may have a harder time understanding what they are reading. Still others may not speak or read English. That’s why it’s important to use plain language when drafting any documents your employees need to read.

Are you ill prepared? 13 steps to stay ahead of the H1N1 virus

06/26/2009

In the wake of April’s worldwide H1N1 virus pandemic scare, now is the time to make sure your organization has an effective pandemic plan in place. Although this spring’s immediate threat seems to have abated, public health officials warn that the virus could re-emerge in the fall. There are 13 steps you can take to deal with H1N1:

How can we help prevent co-worker harassment from escalating into violence?

06/26/2009

Q. One of our employees is being harassed by a co-worker, and we are concerned it may get violent. What can we do about this?