Month: July 2014

Two New Tools from OSHA that Train Workers to Avoid Heat Illnesses

Extreme heat during the summer months poses a risk to outdoor workers, in particular, and creates a potential liability for their employers if steps are not taken to protect workers’ health and safety. The risk is real. Two years ago, there were 31 heat-related worker deaths, as well as 4,120 heat-related worker illnesses, according to […]

10 Sins of Termination (#1 Time to Prevent Lawsuits)

Terminations are no picnic for anyone, but since they are the genesis of many lawsuits, it’s worth learning how to do them right. Handling them carefully can save cash, calm frayed nerves, and maintain morale and productivity. (As long as you don’t commit one of these 10 sins.)

Performance Management Survey Result—How Do You Measure Up?

How Well Do You Measure Performance? Regarding the way their organization conducts performance appraisals, a hefty 75.2% rate their organization as average or above. Details: How well? Percent of Participants Excellent 2.1% Above average 21.9% Average 51.2% Below Average, Needs Improvement, or Terrible 24.8% What Performance Appraisals Measure Overall performance is measured by 80.7% of […]

To E-Verify or not to E-Verify?

by Christine D. Mehfoud E-Verify is an Internet-based employment authorization verification system administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). After completing the Form I-9 process, employers create an E-Verify case and submit it to E-Verify, which electronically verifies work authorization by checking the information entered against DHS, […]

Infographic: 2014 employee performance appraisal practices

In a new 2014 BLR Performance Management survey, 76% of 1,481 survey participants rate their employer’s performance appraisals with a grade of “C” or lower. Nearly half of survey participants said that their organization ties employee evaluations to most salary increases. The most common reason cited for not linking the two together was to focus […]

New Louisiana law prohibits employers from seeking social media passwords

by Josh Wood and H. Mark Adams Louisiana’s new Personal Online Account Privacy Protection Act (House Bill 340) goes into effect August 1. It precludes employers from requesting or requiring employees and job applicants to disclose any username or password that allows access to their personal online accounts. The law prohibits employers from discharging or […]

Train Your Older Workers Effectively

Do you have more older workers on the job these days? If you answered “yes,” it’s not surprising. The American population is aging, and so is the nation’s workforce. Consider these statistics: The proportion of the U.S. population of people aged 65 and older is projected to increase from 12.4 percent in 2000 to 19.6 […]

Certification Brouhaha at SHRM Orlando

The big buzz at the SHRM Annual Conference and Exposition revolved around SHRM’s announcement that it will start offering its own professional certifications. Why is it happening and what does it mean for HR pros?