Month: July 2010

What Really Motivates Employees?

The other day a colleague here at M. Lee Smith Publishers suggested I take a look at a video that’s posted on YouTube. The video he wanted me to see was an animation adapted from a speech given by author Daniel Pink. The title of the video was the same as Mr. Pink’s latest book, […]

The Michael Scott School of Business

Litigation Value: An education on management from the master (of disaster) … priceless. The Office didn’t air in my little corner of the world last night, and I’m currently battling symptoms of withdrawal. So I decided to take a little walk down memory lane and relive some of my favorite lessons from Season 6. Remember, back […]

Keeping Your Company Afloat after Flood, Oil Spill, Hurricane, or Terrorism

This year’s “perfect storm” of events — from terrorism in Times Square to the dreaded 1,000-year flood in Tennessee to the devastating oil spill off the Gulf Coast — should again remind employers of the need to establish a crisis management and business continuity plan (CMBCP). The time for corporate complacency is long gone. Workplace […]

401(k) Survey Results: How Does Your 401(k) Compare?

By Stephen Bruce, PHR Editor, HR Daily Advisor Just My E-pinion For years, BLR® has surveyed compensation and benefits professionals. This year, we have expanded our program with a series of brief, targeted benefits surveys. In today’s Advisor, we’ve got the results of the 401(k) survey. The findings are interesting and will help all readers […]

HR Audits: the Only Surefire Way to Root Out Problems

It’s always hard to be sure that everyone is following policies. (Some frustrated readers might ask, is anyone following any policy?) A comprehensive audit is really the only way to find out. In yesterday’s Advisor, we covered audit areas for preemployment issues. Today, we’ll look at employment and termination issues, and we’ll introduce a unique […]

Hearing on ‘Radical’ OSHA Change Set for July

“Prison terms of up to 10 years could be imposed on officers and directors of companies that knowingly violate OSHA rules under a proposed revision to the Occupational Safety and Health Act now advancing through Congress,” reported Jim Stanley, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor, on his Workplace Safety blog. He said that the […]

70% or More Not in FLSA Compliance

The feds estimate that 70 percent of employers are not in compliance with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). “That’s a gross understatement,” says William J. Anthony, Esq. He suspects that it’s more like 95 percent that are not in compliance with either federal or state laws on wage and hour matters.

Could Your Audit Be Damaging Exhibit #1?

First rule of auditing: Before you start, get legal advice on how to keep the results confidential. Otherwise, in the event of a suit, you’ll likely have to reveal the results of your audit. And the second rule of auditing: Be sure that management is willing to make corrections if infractions are found. If your […]

Managing LTD Claims: Less Pain, More Gain

By Suzanne Porteous and Wendy Wang The bad news is that one of your employees has just commenced a long-term disability (LTD) leave. You may well have concerns like: (1) Will the employee ever return to work? (2) If so, when? (3) What accommodations would be needed to allow a return to work? (4) What […]

Holidays, OT, and the 12-Month Choice

FMLA hassles never seem to end. Some of the most confusing issues revolve around holidays, overtime, and the 12-month method. Today’s Advisor will clarify these tricky points. What Happens When a Holiday Occurs During FMLA Leave? The fact that a holiday may occur within the week taken as FMLA leave has no effect, and the […]