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Can You Hear Me Now?

Three main goals for your telephone training are that trainees will learn to: Understand the importance of proper telephone etiquette. Identify guidelines for speaking and listening on the phone. Follow proper etiquette when making and receiving calls. The telephone is an essential tool for conducting business—just think about how many times a day you use […]

Banning electronic cigarettes in the workplace

by Reggie Gay Electronic cigarette companies like to say that users of their products can “Smoke anywhere!” According to the recent Businessweek article “E-Cigarettes Want Your Attention Now (Before the FDA Steps In),” electronic cigarettes are “expected to top $1 billion in annual sales in the next few years.” As the industry grows exponentially, employers […]

How Come Terry Gets to …? (Danger: Don’t Answer)

In yesterday’s Advisor, Attorney Joan Farrell clarified the ADA compliance process; today, she is joined by Attorney Patricia Trainor, SPHR, on what to do with coworker questions about accommodation, plus we‘ll introduce the unique “50×50,” your guide to 50 key employment laws in 50 states. It’s a tough situation when a coworker asks, “Why does […]

Practical System for Helping Managers Who Don’t Perform

For Day 1 suggestions, go here. Day 2 (AM): The 1-on-1 Meeting with Wilma and Fred (Poor-Performing Manager and Supervisor) I’ve got three rules I’ll ask you to follow as we begin this meeting. First, don’t hold anything back. This is a once-in-a-career benefit, and the purpose of this meeting is to get it all […]

$110K Penalty Shows: Alcoholism is an ADA-protected Condition

Employers, pay heed. A recent court outcome — and hefty monetary award for the employee — reiterate the fact that alcoholism is a disability protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Following a five-day trial a federal jury in Pennsylvania awarded more than $109,000 to a cook whose rights, it found, had been violated when […]

Use a Blended Learning Approach for Your Environmental Training

Though there are many benefits of using e-learning programs for your environmental, health, and safety (EHS) training, e-learning doesn’t work for every organization, or it may work only as part of a blended learning approach. Blended learning is a commonsense concept that results in great learning success. The blended learning approach is simply acknowledging that […]

The smartest person in the room

by Dan Oswald I recently was reading on the subject of leadership, and one topic that came up was intelligence. So I set out to do some research on the importance of IQ in leadership. I must admit, it’s not easy to find a lot written about the intelligence of leaders. Type “leadership and intelligence” […]

Plaintiff’s Attorney Fined for Withholding Evidence in ADA Suit

An employee’s attorney must pay $5,000 for omitting important information in an Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuit, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled. In Kempter v. Michigan Bell Telephone Co. , No. 13-1036 (6th Cir. Aug. 26, 2013), the plaintiff’s attorney failed to mention that that his client, Cathie Kempter, had been permanently restricted […]

3 Key Factors Make the ADA Different

There are three key ways the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) differs from other discrimination statutes, says Attorney Joan Farrell: the layers of analysis required, the obligation to consider reasonable accommodation, and the added prohibition against association discrimination. Layers of Analysis The ADA requires a several step analysis, but it is not hard if you […]

5 Conflict Resolution Practices for HR

Conflict in the workplace is common, so effective conflict resolution strategies for HR need to be common as well. Conflict is any workplace disagreement that disrupts the workflow. It is often a situation in which people perceive a threat; they may perceive this threat as physical, emotional, or a grab for power or status. It’s […]