Search Results for: performance appraisal

HR–Balancing Four Generations’ Baggage

Every employee brings “generational baggage,” and today’s HR manager has to carry four generations’ baggage at once, says Giselle Kovary. Kovary, a consultant at n-gen People Performance Inc., specializes in helping companies “get, keep, and grow” four generations of workers simultaneously. In her well-attended session at the recent SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) Annual […]

Interview Checklist–The 25 Forbidden Questions

In yesterday’s Advisor, legal landmines for interviewers. Today, a handy checklist for interviewers from BLR’s HR Audit Checklists. Check each forbidden question to indicate your awareness that it cannot be asked in employment interviews. Forbidden Questions–Age “How old are you?” “What is your date of birth?” (You may ask, “Do you meet the state minimum […]

How to Avoid FRD Claims–Step by Step

For better or worse, the American workplace is different than it was, and perhaps also different from how we want it to be. HR managers have to bridge the gap, says attorney Christopher Leh. People want the workforce to be a family, where managers and employees can talk about anything and everything. But the fact […]

Our Readers Talk Back: ‘No Jerks’ Proposal Brings Out ‘C.A.V.E. People’ and ‘Loyal Oppositionists’

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady Bob Brady’s recent column on whether to have a “No jerks!” rule banning antagonistic empoyees brought intriguing responses. One reader expects “a little jerkiness” in everyone, and another invokes the “C.A.V.E.” rule. Here’s a sampling: “C.A.V.E. People and Loyal Oppositionists” “We’ve coined the phrase ‘C.A.V.E. people’ [standing for] […]

Is There Dilbert®-Level Dysfunction in Your Workplace?

We’ve been taking a humorous look at dysfunction in the workplace. Today, more indicators of trouble, and a look at a checklist system that can be HR’s “dysfunction detector.” Yesterday, we reported on 10 signs of a dysfunctional workplace, as cataloged by blogger Scarlett Pruitt on HRWorld.com. Here are three more: 1. Top managers are […]

What Motivates an Employee’s Lawyer?

by Jeff DeGraffenreid Recently, I met a plaintiff’s lawyer during a particularly expansive mediation. He was on the opposing side, and after we were through, I had the chance to sit down with him over a beer and pick his brain. I’d gone in with the notion that he was “in it for the money.” […]

The Digital Data Dragon: Can You Tame It?

As we saw in yesterday’s Advisor, digital discovery is a painstaking—and potentially painful—process. Today, some tips from an authority on the subject, and an introduction to HR data audit checklists. The Sedona Conference® Institute develops guidelines for electronic document retention and production. Its recommendations emphasize reasonableness and cooperation. Here are some of its suggestions: Confer […]

3 Vital Things Supervisors Should Say

Last Advisor, we talked about 7 things not to say; today we’ll cover 3 things supervisors should say, and tell you about a new audio conference that will keep you, your supervisors, and your managers from saying “stupid things.” “Gee, I never knew that.” “Where does it say I was supposed to do that?” Aren’t […]

Why Firing Must Be a Group Decision

If termination is necessary, let it be a group decision, say the experts. That approach will hold up strongly against legal challenges. Here’s why: First, specialized input. As we mentioned in yesterday’s Advisor, specialized members of the management team, like the HR manager, are in a better position to judge the appropriate action to take. […]

HR Lawsuits Get Personal (Part 2 – What to Do)

The threat of individual lawsuits is growing, and HR managers are right in the thick of it. Here are tactics for avoiding such suits … and an antilawsuit tool you should be using regularly. Yesterday’s Advisor reported on a troubling increase in plaintiffs in employment law cases filing suit against individual managers as well as […]