Month: July 2013

Same-gender Marriage Debate Continues in the States

Employers still have to contend with plenty of uncertainty regarding employees’ same-gender spouses, regardless of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in U.S. v. Windsor (No. 12-307, June 26, 2013). That decision may have declared Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, but it was a narrow ruling that left divergent state laws […]

New Hampshire new-hire reporting requirements changing August 3

by Heather L. Devine New Hampshire House Bill 440, which made several changes and clarifications to new-hire reporting requirements, goes into effect August 3. Most important, the new law requires employers to complete a new-hire report to the Department of Employment Security when a former employee has been rehired (regardless of whether she was laid […]

Do You Train Supervisors to Be ‘Caring’?

From familiarizing supervisors with federal and state employment law to keeping them updated on the company’s policies and procedures, trainers must manage multiple training priorities—often on a limited budget. It can be easy to overlook a “soft” topic, such as training supervisors and managers to demonstrate care for employees and to build positive relationships with […]

HR Trends Survey Results in–How Do You Compare?

Over 300 HR practitioners participated in the survey. Other findings include: More than  two-thirds use social media for recruiting at least some of the time (Respondents offered 25 other ways their HR departments are using social media.). 41 percent say the top HR person is a full member of the executive (C-suite) team. 54 percent […]

Finding a cure for bad bosses

Horror stories abound of bad bosses. Some are bullies, others inept, still others well-meaning but ineffective. Whatever the reason, bad bosses damage productivity and morale. They also take a toll on an employers’ ability to recruit and retain top talent. A recent survey from online career community Glassdoor on the impact of managers on employment […]

Take Your Dispute Back to Saudi Arabia

A former U.S. Navy commander, who was recruited to work as a flight instructor in Saudi Arabia, said he was forced to sign an employment agreement after he arrived in that country. He also claims his passport was confiscated, he was assigned to poor living conditions, and he worked in an unsafe environment. Boeing International […]

‘Employee’ Communications May Be Going to the Dogs

It’s one of HRSBT’s favorite topics, so we couldn’t wait to tell you about the FIDO project, which will let managers communicate with their canine reports—electronically! According to media reports, the FIDO (Facilitating Interactions for Dogs with Occupations) project under way at Georgia Tech, with input from Google, would allow working dogs to communicate vital […]

Airline Faces Weighty Problems with New Hiring Policies

Employers are adopting wellness programs to help workers maintain a healthy weight to prevent chronic diseases. The high cost of fuel is prompting an Indian airline to adopt a hiring requirement that looks at weight from another viewpoint. GoAir had decided that to save on fuel, it will only hire flight attendants who are female […]

Q&A on Legally Compliant Background Checks

How many years back into the past can a criminal background check go? What is the difference between an investigative consumer report and a regular consumer report? Can you have different screening processes or factors that warrant disqualification for different positions? These are just a few of the questions that were asked by participants in […]

BLR’s 2013–2014 Pay Budget Survey Data: How Do You Compare?

What’s in the Survey Report? Here’s what you’ll find in the full survey report below: 2013 Data 2014 Data Breakdowns by Geography and Industry Criteria Used to Determine Rate Range Adjustments Pay Practices Factors That Affect Salary Increases How the Salary Range for a New Position Is Determined Sources of Salary Data HR’s Role in […]