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HR Management

Big firms seeking partners that can prove staff diversity

01/01/2007

In recent years, large corporations have begun imposing work force diversity mandates on their suppliers. As a result, midsize organizations that want to win contracts scramble to prove diversity among their staffs …

Remind bosses: Don’t tolerate rude acts for fear of lawsuits

01/01/2007

When employees behave rudely or in an insubordinate fashion, supervisors shouldn’t back off discipline because they fear a legal complaint. Your organization can, and should, enforce civility standards …

FMLA: All managers can face personal liability for leave mistakes

01/01/2007

If you’re looking for incentives to get managers and supervisors to pay attention during FMLA training sessions, look no further. Simply point out that they can be held personally liable if they deny FMLA benefits to which an employee is entitled …

Health advocacy firms: Stress reliever or added burden?

01/01/2007

The scene plays out every day: Employees receive health care bills or “explanation of benefits” insurance statements in the mail, but they can’t decipher the complex forms. Eventually, they call you to help sort it out. Ever wish there was a better way? Enter a new breed of employee-benefits advocacy firms …

6 legally vital elements in staffing-firm contracts

01/01/2007

When negotiating contracts with employee outsourcing firms, many organizations make background checks an afterthought and leave the specifics up to the agency. That’s a  big mistake …

Can you face legal risk for completing salary surveys?

12/01/2006
To set competitive salaries, you've probably filled out compensation surveys and maybe even managed such surveys yourself. But recent classaction lawsuits have led some HR professionals and business execs to rethink their participation in (or hosting of) such surveys.

Accommodate safety needs of aging work force

12/01/2006

As the work force ages, your employees have a growing need for the same kind of safeguards that they’re putting in their homes …

‘Intentional’ harm can trigger separate lawsuit

12/01/2006

Employees injured on the job typically have only one legal remedy: workers’ compensation benefits. But that restriction is blown out of the water if an employee proves that your organization’s actions amounted to “intentional” harm …

What’s an ‘Essential Function’? Consult DOL Manual

12/01/2006

The ADA requires employers to identify the essential functions of all jobs and make reasonable accommodations for disabled employees to perform those tasks. But if you pile too many tasks onto that “essential functions” list, you may court trouble …

Lighten your HR load by using supervisors wisely

12/01/2006
Say you’re part of an overworked two- or three-person HR department that struggles to keep up with basic administrative duties. Solution: Use supervisors to assist in HR, but be smart in what you choose to delegate.