Tag: 2014

Regression Analysis: a Case Study

A nonprofit home healthcare agency has asked “a consultant” whether its CEO is fairly paid relative to the marketplace for similar agencies. The Agency has supplied a database to the consultant, who also has his own survey database of CEO pay. This case will demonstrate how regression data can be used to answer this question. […]

How to Set Hard Goals for Soft Objectives

Some goals are easily measured, but some, like adhering to company values, are harder to measure, says expert Dr. B. Lynn Ware. Values are an important part of the company culture, but how can you make the measurement of values concrete, quantifiable, and qualitative? For example, says Ware, take a public relations agency that wants […]

Men don’t [take] leave

At least that’s what former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason and radio talk show host Mike Francesa believe. Their critical comments of New York Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy, particularly those made by Esiason, recently created a storm of controversy that extended beyond just the sports world. Murphy missed the first two games of the 2014 […]

Training Programs—What’s Happening in the Real World?

Please participate in our brief survey and see how what you are doing for training stacks up against what other successful companies are doing. We’ll get answers to these questions and more: How often do your employees receive training? What kind of training is conducted? What specific topics is training offered on? What are the […]

What Changes Are Employers Making to Retirement Benefits?

Changes Contemplated Our survey shows that 9.8% of employers plan to add or make changes to their 2015 retirement benefits package, 64.9% of employers have no additions or changes planned, and 25.3% are not certain at this point in time. For those that are planning to add or make changes to their retirement benefits, 27.4% […]

Windfalls and Changing the Terms of Commission Agreements

Vesting of Commissions One particularly difficult sticking point with commission agreements is failing to define what is supposed to happen if a sale is canceled or the terms need to be renegotiated. One solution that eliminates many problems is to state that a draw or advance becomes a vested commission only after all conditions on […]

Bad Commission Agreements—Lawsuit Magnet

Sales compensation litigation is especially tricky because commissioned salespeople are particularly litigious. They are trained to read complicated agreements, and they will find the bad provisions. Furthermore, sales personnel are very persuasive speakers—that’s why you hired them—and they’re likely to be able to convince the court of their interpretation of the commission agreement. Kato, who […]

Performance Appraisals: The 10 Most Common Rating Errors

Most HR professionals look forward to conducting annual performance reviews about as much as a trip to the dentist, but as the economy improves, performance appraisals are going to be the key for talent retention, a positive work environment, and the overall growth and productivity of your organization. That said, there are also pitfalls to […]

Wage and Hour Simple? The 10 Sins

Sin #1. Failure to pay the minimum wage We’ll pay you $5 an hour until you learn the ropes; then you move up to $7 an hour. Virtually all employees are entitled to receive at least the minimum wage (the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour; many states have higher minimum wages) for all […]

Time and Attendance Automation=Efficiency + Engagement

What can be gained with technology and integration? In a word, efficiency and productivity, says Mansfield. An employee asks for a day off. The request is logged, and the manager is alerted and reviews the request. If approved, the information gets onto the schedule and to payroll. If necessary, qualified substitutes are found. Time Management […]