Category: HR Hero Line

HR best practices, employment law tips, news and analysis, Q&As, and lessons learned from the courtroom.

Employer-sponsored social events: Don’t let liability risks scorch your summer fun

by Angela N. Johnson Summertime usually brings warm, sunny days for making fun-filled memories. For employers, it can be a time for company-organized social events, such as picnics, baseball games, or competitive recreational activities. This article identifies ways to minimize any potential liability arising from such activities.  Social events and alcohol consumption Several states have […]

Research shows rewards, recognition programs not one size fits all

Figuring out how to keep employees engaged can keep human resources professionals up at night. Good pay, generous benefits, and various perks contribute to the mix of techniques used to motivate employees. But a simple pat on the back may be the best place to start.  Although employees value pay hikes and prestigious titles, a […]

3 essential areas of supervisor training

by Jason Ritchie It’s imperative that you train your supervisors on key workforce management topics. Here are three compliance areas that should top your training list.  Knowing company policy and legal obligations Because supervisors are the frontline company representatives who have the most day-to-day contact with employees, they need to know and understand your company […]

EEOC, OSHA issue retaliation guidance

by Whitney Brown Earlier this year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released its Proposed Enforcement Guidance on Retaliation and Related Issues, which follows on the heels of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) November 2015 proposed guidance Protecting Whistleblowers: Recommended Practices for Employers for Preventing and Addressing Retaliation. Here’s an overview of both […]

Pop quiz: Will she be Ripa roaring mad?

by Mark I. Schickman Pop Quiz #1: Your 26-year, highly successful employee Kelly is popular with both employees and your customer base. Five years ago, she successfully inherited the work of an old-time employee, keeping his customers happy and adding more! Four years ago, Michael was hired and assigned to assist her; under her tutelage, […]

Federal agencies cracking down on gender identity discrimination

As the debate over gender identity discrimination rages within the halls of state and federal governments, employers are left to wonder how the controversy will play out in the workplace. One high-profile aspect of the issue centers on North Carolina’s House Bill 2, which Governor Pat McCrory signed into law on March 23. The law […]

Divorce and the unproductive employee

by Kathryn M. Grigg Employees are not the only ones who suffer through a divorce. Employers also bear the cost of an employee’s divorce through absenteeism and reduced productivity. This article addresses some benefits and support programs you can provide at minimal cost to maintain a productive workforce. Costs of divorce The amount of time […]

Apprenticeship getting more attention as way to bridge the skills gap

It’s a familiar lament coming from employers: They struggle to hire people with the skills they need even when jobseekers line up at their doors. The skills gap has been a worry for years, and employers, educators, workers, and government officials have long touted apprenticeship as at least part of the solution. But the concept […]

What do DOL’s final ‘persuader’ rules mean for employers?

by Kevin C. McCormick On March 23, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued its long-awaited persuader rules, which significantly expand certain reporting requirements for employers and their attorneys. Under the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA), labor relations consultants hired to influence or persuade employees not to unionize are required […]

Employers can find ways to turn negative feedback to positive outcomes

Most employers consider feedback from employees necessary, but those employers might wonder if that feedback has to feel so much like a necessary evil. When the feedback employees have to offer is negative, it can be tough for employers to stomach. But more and more employers are realizing that even when it’s negative, feedback can […]