Month: October 2013

The Perfect Employee—And Cup of Coffee

Your dream has come true, HR professionals.  Your next “employee” may take no leave or vacation, need no benefits or discipline, do a perfect job every time—and make a perfect cup of coffee, too. Yes, new on-site “coffee kiosks” are manned, pardon the term, by robot baristas, reports NPR.  Hot and cold beverages are ordered […]

A Pension That Spans 3 Centuries!

When you are reviewing your retirement and dependent benefits or helping your employees who are veterans or on active duty or, you would never think that what you are doing could have ramifications centuries into the future—but they can! The Veterans Administration (VA) is still paying a pension to a dependent of a Civil War […]

Impressions at Work: Does Your Desk Do the Talking? (Infographic)

Without knowing it, your desk could be giving a bad impression at work. For example, nearly half of workers said they have been “appalled” (strong word!) by how messy coworkers’ offices are, as shown in a recent infographic by Marketo. The infographic breaks down workspaces into six types: the minimalist, the hoarder, the documentarian, the […]

Are You Training Employees to Prepare for Leadership?

To prepare employees for leadership make them aware that they must be ready to assume a variety of roles. For example, at various times, leaders are: Managers—They direct and oversee the work of others. Coaches—They guide and motivate others to perform at their best and achieve common goals. Planners—They develop strategies for achieving objectives and […]

Exec Comp 101—Philosophy, Base, Annual, LTI, Benefits

Harris, who is Managing Director at Frederic W. Cook & Co., was joined by Ron Miller, Head of Global Rewards, Mobility, M&A, E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, in a presentation at the WorldatWork Total Rewards Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia. Elements of an Executive Compensation Program Element Importance Comment Compensation Strategy Medium Reflects […]

Exorcise ‘ghost policies’ from your employee handbook

by Boyd Byers Is your employee handbook or policy manual haunted by shadowy policies and provisions that are treated as though they aren’t even there? “Ghost policies” can creep into a handbook in a number of ways. They may be relics that once lived useful lives—the legacies of long-departed HR managers—but their original purpose is […]

Asking Older Employees About Retirement Plans—Danger or Diligence?

Yesterday’s Advisor featured Attorney Joan Farrell’s take on some of the subtleties of age discrimination, retirement, and workforce planning. Today, the delicate issue of asking directly about retirement plans, plus an introduction to BLR’s unique 10-minutes-at-a-time supervisors’ training system.   Can You Ask About Retirement Plans? Can you ask older employees about their retirement plans? […]

Supervisors Are Critical to Safety and Health Compliance

In a BLR® webinar titled “OSHA Inspection: How to Prepare for a Surprise Visit and Minimize your Liability Risks,” Tracy L. Moon Jr., a practicing partner at Fisher & Phillips, LLP in Atlanta, and an authorized OSHA General Industry Outreach Trainer, explained the importance of supervisor engagement in and ownership of safety and health compliance. […]

After setting goals, be vigilant in achieving them

by Dan Oswald If you’re like me, it’s time to turn your attention to 2014. As we move through the fourth quarter of 2013 and can see the end in sight, our thoughts turn to what we want to accomplish in the coming year. At our company, we’re in the midst of our budgeting process […]

Some Self-funded Plans Could Escape Reform Reinsurance Fees

Self-funded plans that are also self-administered will be made exempt from paying reinsurance contributions under the health care reform law for the 2015 and 2016 benefit years, the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services said in final program integrity rules. The promised relief will occur in future rulemaking, according to the preamble of the program […]