Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
by Larry Bumgardner “It’s the cover-up, not the crime.” You’ve probably heard that adage hundreds of times. The phrase dates back at least to Watergate days of the 1970s. After the 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee offices at the Watergate complex in Washington, investigative reporters started looking for ties to the Nixon White […]
The 2007 hurricane season started June 1, and experts at the National Weather Service’s Hurricane Center predict it’s going to be a busy year. Last week, we examined what employers need to do before disaster strikes. This week, we’ll look at what you need to do during and after a disaster strikes. Even if you […]
Litigation Value: $3,000 – $ 5,000 (the amount that Dunder Mifflin will have to pay an attorney to write a brief supporting its motion to dismiss the case). The lesson from this episode is that, try as we might, there are some bad things that happen for which you can’t sue your employer. Or anyone […]
Because of interactions with state law, the federal minimum wage increase, which takes effect July 24, will have different effects on the various states. BLR Editor Sean Dean prepared the following state-by-state analysis for the subscription website, HR.BLR.com. We’re happy to bring it to HRDA readers as well. After years of debate, President Bush finally […]
Will the day come when you either join your company’s workplace wellness program or be disciplined or terminated? A new report says Yes. Make a list of your company’s assets. It will certainly include your facilities and equipment, your in-house talent and proprietary knowledge, and your goodwill. And these days, there is likely to be […]
In many parts of California, the temperatures are heating up, which means it’s a good time to take a look at your workplace practices to make sure employees who work under the summer sun are safe—and that you’re complying with Cal/OSHA’s heat illness regulation.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has unveiled new guidance for healthcare workers and their employers on preparing for and responding to a pandemic flu, such as the avian influenza. Avian influenza—also known as bird flu—is caused by a virus that attacks wild birds and domestic poultry. A dangerous strain is rapidly infecting […]
Wireless firm Sprint Nextel has agreed to shell out $57 million to settle a class action lawsuit charging the company with age discrimination in connection with layoffs. The employees charged that Sprint violated the federal age discrimination law by moving older employees into positions that were then eliminated during corporate downsizing. The settlement covers approximately […]
Studies show that a short nap during the workday may improve both health and productivity. What lesson do Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, Napoleon, and Al Kirschbaum all have for business? That a short “power nap” in the afternoon helps you achieve. Since you probably already know about the world leaders mentioned, let’s take Al […]
The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed big changes to the child labor regulations under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The DOL’s proposed rules would expand the list of jobs considered to be “particularly hazardous”—and off-limits—for 16- and 17-year-olds (and younger workers) to include working at poultry slaughtering plants, riding as passengers on forklifts, […]