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Policies / Handbooks

March Madness: Can a morale boost offset the productivity hit?

03/10/2009

As if computer solitaire wasn’t enough of a distraction for daydreaming office workers, March Madness is about to make working hard even harder. But that’s not all bad, according to one expert: The morale boost may make the NCAA tournament a good bet for employers. Here are some of the rules of the game for HR.

Preventing workplace violence in 5 steps

03/10/2009

There’s never been a better time to implement a violence prevention plan. Tough economic times sometimes cause people to snap—and they might do so at work. You need a prevention program that starts with employee screening and ends with publicizing your tough anti-violence policy.

Proactively stamp out racist behavior to cut liability for hostile environment

03/09/2009

When employees claim they were forced to work in a racially hostile environment, the law says they can go back far into the past to show a pattern of harassment. Taken together, isolated acts that wouldn’t be severe enough to create a hostile environment may create liability. But an employer doesn’t have to be a hostage to its past.

Take strong stand against harassment with policy—and punishment for harassers

03/06/2009

There’s no sure way to protect your organization from a rogue supervisor who sexually harasses a subordinate. However, you can reduce your liability with a strong, proactive stand against any supervisor/subordinate personal relationships.

Coping with seriously ill employees and inquisitive co-workers

03/06/2009

It’s sad enough when an employee becomes seriously ill. What makes it tougher is that work doesn’t stop. Responding to these challenges requires tact, sensitivity and flexibility. Mistakes can mean not only hurt feelings but also potential legal liability problems. The key is balance …

HR and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

03/03/2009

Tucked into the massive American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 are several provisions affecting HR. But because most require federal agencies to write new implementation rules, predicting how they will play out day-to-day will be like trying to hit a moving target. Bookmark this page to stay up to date on compliance guidance as the government releases it.

Double duty: Regulating moonlighting and following the law

03/03/2009

As the economy heads south, many of your employees have probably considered—or already found—second jobs to supplement their incomes. Most of the time, moonlighting poses no conflict with your organization’s work. But an employee’s second job could lower productivity and morale. It could create liability for you.

Making false sexual harassment complaints

03/03/2009

Q. May an employer include language in its sexual harassment policy imposing discipline on employees who bring false claims of harassment?

Require everyone to report harassment—you’ll be justified firing those who don’t

02/24/2009

If you’re serious about wiping out sexual and other forms of harassment in your workplace, consider adopting a zero-tolerance policy for failing to report suspected or known harassment. By readily disciplining those who ignore that rule, you can create a new climate in which employees really believe you take harassment seriously.

No home specimen collection for Newark P.D. drug tests

02/24/2009

When Newark police department representatives went to an unidentified officer’s home while he was on sick leave to collect a urine sample for drug testing, it upset the police union.