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Training

Should we pay for training time?

02/23/2011
Q. Occasionally, we offer in-house training and development programs for our employees. The training is strictly voluntary and isn’t conducted during normal working hours. Our company has never paid employees for the time spent attending such training. Is that legal?

Free online training for managers and HR

02/16/2011

Smaller organizations often have little or no budget to train their management teams. But no budget doesn’t have to mean no training. Here is a list of some of the best free online training for managers and HR professionals offered by colleges and reputable organizations …

Make training for managers an essential part of your sexual harassment policy

02/15/2011
It does no good to have a sexual har­assment policy if managers don’t know how to enforce it. Without regular manager training on how to respond to complaints, you might as well not have a policy.

10 ways to rev up training for the recovery

02/09/2011
Training budgets are back. Many organizations that made double-digit cuts in training funding in 2008 and 2009 increased spending on employee development last year. If your organization is ready to reinvest in training, follow these 10 principles:

How to prevent succession planning from triggering discrimination complaints

02/04/2011
Many companies design succession plans so they can spot the next generation of leaders early and develop current employees to their full potential. If your organization is involved in such a process, step back and look: Does everyone who is tapped for special treatment come from the same race or gender? Or does the chosen group exclude older workers or the disabled?

When new employee quits, know the legal way to recoup your training costs

01/28/2011

It’s expensive to train employees, especially if the job is highly specialized. Smart employers protect their investments by having new employees sign an agreement to repay training costs if they leave soon after receiving the valuable benefit. Here’s how to recoup those costs.

EEOC’s banner 2010 set record for discrimination claims

01/18/2011
Last year, the EEOC handled more complaints than ever, and employers paid out a record $404 million. Topping the list of EEOC claims: retaliation. Preventing retaliation will be a focus of the HR Specialist’s LEAP Conference, set for March 30-April 1 at the Mandarin Oriental in Las Vegas.

How to win sexual harassment lawsuits: Institute robust anti-harassment training policy

01/11/2011
The Supreme Court long ago ruled on the many steps employers can take to avoid liability for sexual harassment. But some employers still fail to cover sexual harassment in their ongoing training programs. If that sounds like your organization, resolve now to increase your education efforts. As this case shows, it’s well worth the effort.

New tax law delivers savings–and benefits changes–that affect HR

12/21/2010
The contentious tax law signed by President Obama last week brings tax savings to workers nationwide—and contains several provisions that will affect HR. Here’s a round-up of various elements—from Social Security withholding to tuition reimbursement to on-site child care—that you’ll have to deal with when the law takes effect on Jan. 1.

Here’s the right way to recoup training costs

12/21/2010
It’s expensive to train employees, especially if the content is highly specialized. Smart employers protect their investments by getting employees to agree to repay training costs if they leave soon after receiving the valuable benefit. Just don’t mess with the employee’s final paycheck.