Archives

Cracking the ‘Tough Nut’: The Four Ts

What do you do about building a relationship with the “tough nut to crack”? The thing to think about, says consultant Robin Schooling, SPHR, is: “What is the need that I’m not meeting?” Schooling’s company is Silver Zebras, LLC.

Supreme Court Asks Feds to Weigh In on Pregnancy Accommodation

The U.S. Supreme Court has asked the federal government to provide an opinion on whether the Pregnancy Discrimination Act requires employers to accommodate pregnant employees. The Court received a petition to hear Young v. United Parcel Service, Inc., a case from earlier this year in which the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that […]

Make Sure Your Handbook is NOT an Employment Contract

Your employee handbook can be interpreted as creating express or implied contracts, says Attorney Allan H. Weitzman; however, disclaimers and receipts can help prevent that from happening.   Employee Handbooks: Every Word Counts One important thing to remember when it comes to handbooks and whether they create contracts is that state law controls, so you […]

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? […]