Month: May 2011

Outdoor Amenities Breathe Fresh Air Into Wellness Program

When managers and supervisors at Heavy Construction Systems Specialists Inc. (HCSS) schedule meetings, they have more location options to choose from than in the past. In addition to conference rooms in the new 45,000-square-foot facility that opened in August 2009, there is an outside courtyard and a 600-meter walking/jogging trail where meetings often take place. […]

Post-Adoption Services Valuable to Employees

Your company may be among the many that extend adoption benefits to their employees. Just as it does when an employee becomes a parent in the traditional manner, your firm may offer paid time off when an employee adopts a child. That is wonderful, in terms of work/life balance. After all, no matter how a […]

Target Date Funds Missed the Mark

When you hear the word ‘target,’ you may picture a specific point in the center of a group of concentric circles. The target doesn’t move, and it doesn’t change shape. Is that the picture in your mind when you think of a target date fund? If it is, you’re not alone. A target date fund, […]

Study Finds Women Gaining Ground as Chief Executives

A recent study conducted by Equilar of CEO turnover in the S&P 1500 has found that women are finding some foothold in the traditionally male-dominated roles of CEO. A March 2011 study by Catalyst found that while women comprise nearly half (46.7 percent) of the U.S. workforce, they make up only 2.2 percent of the […]

State Court Can Determine That a DRO Is a QDRO

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that state courts can determine that a domestic relations order (DRO) is a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO). Mack v. Kuckenmeister, Nos. 09-15290, 15291 (2010). Facts. “Mike and Sarah Jones” were in the midst of divorce proceedings during 2005 and the early part of 2006. Mike had […]

Coworker who hate each other

Productivity Wounded in Employee Feud Crossfire

During a meeting on Wednesday, we were discussing issues that many HR professionals might face and I asked the question, “What about when you have two employees who hate each other?” That got a few chuckles and wisecracks from around the table, but I was serious. I’ve seen workplaces in which employees couldn’t stand each […]

Sign of the Times? Minimum Wage Boost Defeated in Maine

What a difference a couple of years makes. Not so long ago, a flurry of states passed legislation or ballot initiatives to increase their minimum wage rates. As recently as 2009, there were minimum wage increases in 24 states. Since then, it appears that changes in the political climate and in the economy have completely […]

Leave, Contract, Public Policy May ‘Protect’ from Firing

In yesterday’s Advisor, we presented the first two “fire-retardant” categories; today, three more, plus an introduction to a new online training system for your managers and supervisors. Some employees are “fire-retardant”—that is, tricky to fire because of their position, but they’re not impossible to fire. Here are three more categories of employees who may be […]

Free Report for HR Managers: The Leave Maze – Managing FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation Issues

Old Saybrook, CT—May 26, 2011—The HR Daily Advisor® announced today the release of a free report for HR Managers, The Leave Maze—Managing FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation Issues, which will help HR professionals to understand the ways in which the FMLA, ADA, and workers’ compensation laws interact. The special 42-page report clarifies the most recent […]

There’s An App for THAT?

The U.S. Department of Labor has just announced the launch of its first application for smartphones: a timesheet to help employees independently track the hours they work and determine the wages they are owed. Available in English and Spanish, users can track regular work hours, break time, and any overtime hours for one or more […]