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Training

Recoup training costs, but beware doing so with last paycheck

07/18/2008
Employers can and should get applicants and employees to agree to pay back training costs if they depart before the company gets fair value. But collecting the money can be tricky. You can’t, for example, withhold the money out of a final paycheck if that move takes the employee’s hourly wage below the minimum allowed by law …

Remind supervisors: You have duty to prevent customer harm

07/07/2008
Employers aren’t just liable for harm that comes to employees while they work. Employers also have to keep customers safe. That duty even includes making sure off-duty employees don’t harm customers if that harm is foreseeable …

Prepare to meet older workers’ needs for ‘Encore careers’

07/03/2008
Your organization’s mature workers might decide not to end their careers when they reach retirement age. If your organization wants to keep experienced, retirement-age employees on board, prepare to meet the needs of this older cohort. Here’s how …

Make sure bosses tell employees how to report harassment

07/01/2008
Have your supervisors and managers kept up with the changes by regularly reminding all employees—new and old—how they can report alleged sexual harassment? If not, you need to set up a training schedule. It’s the best way to ensure no employee will come out of left field with a sexual harassment complaint, take it to court—and win …

Loved, lost: Crafting effective workplace dating policies

07/01/2008
Many companies that otherwise permit co-workers to date draw a bright line that prohibits managers from being romantically involved with those who report to them, either directly or indirectly. There are many good reasons for such a prohibition … Consequently, many companies maintain strict nonfraternization policies between supervisors and subordinates.

Repeating sexual harassment training

07/01/2008
Q. How often should a company conduct sexual harassment training for its supervisors? …

Google it! 7 hiring and retention tips from Silicon Valley’s best

06/24/2008
When you google “best places to work,” you’re sure to find a link to Google itself. The search engine giant—91 million lookups per day—is a perpetual contender for the No. 1 spot on lists that rank great employers. Google’s VP for "people operations" tells how the company stays on top with innovative hiring, retention and collaboration strategies.

Why so few applicants can read: Graduation rates tell the tale

06/17/2008
According to a new study, “Diplomas Count 2008,” only 58% of Georgia students graduate from high school on time. The practical consequence for Georgia employers is an entry-level labor pool with poor basic skills. That means someone—most likely employers—will have to pick up the slack …

Get the most out of your next HR conference

06/17/2008

If you’re planning to attend next week’s Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) conference in Chicago—or any business conference for that matter—think about this: The work you do before the conference is just as important as what you do while you’re there. Here are five proactive steps you can take to maximize your conference experience.

Little things can add up to discrimination and harassment

06/10/2008
Do your managers and supervisors understand that ostracizing an employee can backfire? Do they make diligent efforts to train everyone equally and include everyone in work-related social events? If not, it’s time to remind them …