Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
“Major depression is one of the most common conditions in this country. Estimates are 10 percent of men and up to 25 percent of women will have at least one episode of major depression over their lifespan. That involves depressed mood, lack of interest, lack of enjoyment in usual activities, and a variety of other […]
by Tammy Binford Certainly, the workplace has seen dramatic change in recent years. Changes brought on by economic turmoil, technological advances, and new thinking about traditional employer-employee roles have made the workplace a much different place than it was just a decade ago. Leading the way in this new world of work is the concept […]
HR professionals know that mentoring programs that pair an experienced colleague with a new employee can benefit a company by creating bonds, fostering knowledge sharing, and building confidence. Similarly, mentoring programs that pair adults with adolescents create a unique supportive relationship that allows the mentor to offer guidance gained through years of experience. January is […]
As we kick off 2013, it’s a great time to take a step back as a manager and assess your situation, says business and leadership blogger Dan Oswald, and he’s got five questions that will force you to do just that. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day activities of managing and […]
Federal agencies will accept alternate definitions of full-time employee for purposes of health reform’s play-or-pay mandate, to allow for industry-specific labor norms and seasonal workers. Some business owners and workers requested special methods of calculating hours for employees: (1) whose compensation is not based on hours, such as salespeople on commission; and (2) whose work […]
U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced on January 9 she will step down, but no signs of immediate change to U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) policy or pending audits are apparent. President Barack Obama praised Solis’ term as DOL leader but named no possible successor. “Over her long career in public service—as an […]
Is it possible to craft a medical marijuana policy that keeps everyone safe yet is non-discriminatory? This is a central concern for employers as more and more states allow legal medical marijuana use. Employers want to keep a safe working environment, free from concerns of impaired individuals in safety-sensitive positions. However, where is the line […]
With the new year upon us, now is a good time to sit down and evaluate your pay grades, and pay-for-performance systems. Base pay grades aren’t a “set and forget” kind of thing. Employee salaries are fluid and always evolving. To remain competitive, base pay grades must be reviewed and adjusted periodically to keep track […]
An employee handbook can be your friend or your foe. Careless wording may create a contract promising employees advantages you don’t mean to promise, but on the flip side, a carefully-worded handbook can help shield your organization from liability. Employee handbooks are a powerful tool for any organization—if you get them right. Recently, Adam Keating […]
How can an employer make the decision whether or not to offer healthcare benefits versus paying the penalty for not doing so? This conundrum is referred to as “pay or play” when discussing the new healthcare reform law. However, the decision of whether or not to provide coverage is not simple and requires much more […]