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HR Management

Build a peer network you can tap for expertise

12/01/2003
Issue: HR’s uniqueness makes it difficult to tap others within your organization for brainstorming, problem-solving, etc. Benefits: Joining or forming a network of HR pros can give you valuable sounding …

No need to rush and upgrade to Office 2003

12/01/2003
The reviews are in. Here’s the verdict: Upgrade to Microsoft’s new Office 2003 version only if you handle large volumes of e-mail, use a network and plan to install Microsoft’s server …

Avoid stricter notification policy than FMLA requires

12/01/2003
Can your organization require employees to give notice of their need for FMLA in a way that’s more stringent than the standards set by federal law? Courts are split on this …

Don’t fudge or exaggerate details of insurance coverage

12/01/2003
Never exaggerate the quality or quantity of employee benefits, either in written communication or when trying to sell an applicant on your organization. Courts will make you stick to any promises, …

Now’s the time to evaluate your in-house promotion policy

12/01/2003
Here’s a new trend that shows positive signs for the economy, but should present a big “Caution” sign for you: The number of people changing jobs within an organization has more …

Only 3 full days of incapacity will trigger FMLA leave

12/01/2003
Issue: Court raises threshold for employees to qualify for FMLA leave. Benefit: Workers can take FMLA leave if they have a serious condition causing three consecutive full days of incapacity, …

Give notice before changing benefit terms

12/01/2003

Q. Currently, our company pays 70 percent of employees’ health insurance premiums. But we need to either decrease the percentage or possibly ask employees to pay the entire premium. How much notice must we give employees before making such a change? —D.O., Louisiana

Employees comparing pay? Don’t try to muzzle them

12/01/2003
Issue: About a third of all organizations prohibit employees from discussing pay with one another. Risk: Such confidentiality policies likely violate …

Don’t discriminate against short people

12/01/2003
A well-publicized study could raise skepticism (and, potentially, legal complaints) by short people about your pay practices. The study, to be published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, found that, in …

Don’t try to ‘explain away’ overtime errors

12/01/2003
Counsel your managers to treat overtime complaints with respect, and avoid any cavalier statements or excuses about why someone hasn’t been paid overtime. Reason: You face big risks by making such …