Month: May 2007

Mood Coming to Work Affects Your Whole Day

If you’ve ever said “I feel rotten this morning, and it’s going to be a rotten day,” two researchers say you’ve probably got it right. “How are you feeling today?” No, that’s not just a pleasantry. According to researchers at the Wharton School of Business and Ohio State University, how you feel … the mood […]

Employee Handbooks: Rule Banning Employee Fraternizing Gets Struck Down; What Employers Need to Know

To lower the risk of getting sued for sexual harassment, many companies have adopted nonfraternization policies, often focused on ensuring that romantic relationships, particularly those involving supervisors and their subordinates, don’t create a conflict of interest. Sometimes these policies are designed to avoid conflicts of interest with customers.

Downsizing: How Can We Prevent Unfounded Lawsuits After RIFs?

Our company is going to go through a prolonged period of significant downsizing. A recent seminar told us to expect a retaliatory wave of unfounded allegations, grievances, and lawsuits by disgruntled employees. Can you suggest steps we can take to protect ourselves against these attacks? Should we retain specialists? What do you recommend we do?  […]

Women’s Appreciation

LITIGATION VALUE: 1,000,000 + The “women’s appreciation” meeting was a bad idea that was poorly executed. I’m not saying that Dunder Mifflin cannot or should not recognize the achievements of its female employees. It should. I just think that the meeting shouldn’t be announced by saying “I know the crap out of women” and should […]

A Tool for Instant Answers to Compensation and Benefits Questions

When the boss asks for “a quick summary” on compensation or benefits, here’s the tool to research the answers … instantly. Try it for 2 weeks … on us. OK, let’s say your boss read yesterday’s Daily Advisor article on sabbaticals. And now he or she thinks a sabbatical program may be the best idea […]

Employment Law Tip: Firm Up and Slim Down Your Workforce

In light of new evidence that overweight workers are costing U.S. businesses more, many employers may find new motivation to help their workers stay healthy and fit. If you’re not sure where to start or how to get a workplace wellness program up and running, consider the California 5 a Day—Be Active! Worksite Program, developed […]

The Sabbatical: Take a Year Off … With Pay!

Companies are increasingly recognizing the need for long-term workers to take a sabbatical, both to re-energize and to recommit to their jobs. Feeling a little burned out today? We have a suggestion. Ask your boss for a year off …. with pay. It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds. A few years back, a story […]