Month: July 2014

New Arizona law outlaws double-dipping unemployment benefits

by Dinita L. James A new Arizona law going into effect July 24 means employees who are let go with severance pay won’t be eligible for unemployment benefits right away. The law adds a new section to Arizona Revised Statutes § 23-621 to define severance pay, a term that was undefined in earlier legislation, which […]

Hell’s Kitchen, the Bible, the Sharks, and the Silver Screen

Need to develop and implement some strategies, but don’t have the time to take courses or slog through resources to get answers and inspiration? No problem! You can get the help you need from the Bible, movies, and TV shows, says Patrick J. Stroh, author of Business Strategy: Plan, Execute, Win!

Is Your Safety Training Effective Across the Generations?

At the recent conference of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) in Orlando, Florida, demographic changes in the American workforce were a common theme throughout many sessions. With American workers becoming heavier, older, and more diverse, what are the ramifications for workplace safety, and what should you do to prepare? In a session titled […]

Comment period on $10.10 minimum wage rules ends July 28

by Rachael E. Luzietti The comment period for the proposed rule to implement President Barack Obama’s Executive Order to raise the minimum wage for employees working on government contracts ends July 28. Those interested in having their voices heard should submit comments at www.regulations.gov. In February, Obama issued Executive Order 13658, which mandates a minimum […]

Certification Brouhaha at SHRM Orlando

Speaking about the other entity, SHRM and HRCI both said to HRDA, “Their interpretation of ‘partnership’ Is not the same as ours.” SHRM found HRCI intransigent on the issue of adding competencies to the certification process. HRCI says that SHRM defines “partnership” as controlling and their position threatened HRCI’s independence, which they believe is necessary […]

Retaliation charges on the rise: how to protect your company

by Joe Godwin In 2013, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigated 93,727 charges of discrimination, which resulted in penalties totaling $372.1 million. Retaliation claims accounted for 41 percent of all the charges. The most frequent bases of claims across all statutes are related to discharge and discipline. Therefore, employers have opportunities to reduce the […]

T & D Survey Results Are In: How Do You Compare?

Training Methods Our survey shows the following methods used regularly for training employees. In the coming years, 86% expect to use more online training and 68% plan to utilize more in-person sessions conducted by the HR staff. More video/DVD and mobile/tablet-based materials will be used by 51%, and more telephone/audio conferences will be utilized by […]

Train Workers on These 19 Stations for Hazardous Waste Decontamination

Decontamination is a vital process for employees who handle hazardous wastes because it removes or neutralizes contaminants that have accumulated on personnel and equipment. The steps in the decontamination process vary depending on the hazards involved, the equipment available, and the terrain and circumstances. However, this list is typical of what would be set up […]

Self-funded Plans and TPAs Affected by Top Court’s Hobby Lobby Ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling that “closely held” for-profit companies can — on religious grounds — opt out of a federal requirement to provide certain contraception coverage is rife with implications for self-insured and other employer-sponsored health plans. The ruling is unlikely to lead to a wide variety of religiously inspired opt-outs, benefits attorneys held, […]

How to Attract ApplicANTS

Pests can cause some people to just plain “bug out,” so I bet companies like Orkin don’t have people busting down the doors to get a job. Employers may face a challenge in hiring people for an industry where many people would rather have someone else kill the giant spider. So what does a company […]