Compensation: How Do We Set Up a Pay-for-Performance System?
How do we go about setting up a pay-for-performance incentive system? We are in the very early stages and just don’t know where to start. Thanks. —Anonymous in Alameda
Tag: productivity
Are Your Vacation Priorities in Order? 5 Strategies
According to the results of a new survey, 31 percent of employees won’t use all of their vacation days this year, and the average U.S. adult will leave about three vacation days on the table. The survey, conducted by online travel agency Expedia, found that work stress is driving the trend toward foregoing all available […]
Is Bullying Doing More Harm than Harassment?
Bullies may be causing more harm in your workplace than sexual harassers, according to a new study, “Outcomes of Aggression and Harassment.” Although both bullying and harassment have negative consequences, the study concluded that employees who experienced various types of workplace aggression—bullying, incivility, or interpersonal conflict—were more likely to quit their jobs, be less satisfied […]
Resolving Conflicts at Work: A Complete Guide for Everyone on the Job
Employment law attorney Michael Maslanka reviews the book Resolving Conflicts at Work: A Complete Guide for Everyone on the Job by Kenneth Cloke and Joan Goldsmith. Review calls book insightful for tips on resolving conflict at work with communication, conversation, and listening. One of your greatest challenges is resolving workplace conflicts. While one goal is […]
Terminations: If Employment Is At Will, Can I Fire for Any or No Reason?
All our employees sign an at-will acknowledgment when they are hired. Doesn’t that mean I can fire an employee whenever I want, for any reason or no reason? I’m being told that I have to have documentation and justification. If they’re at-will employees, why can’t I just fire them? —Carl B., San Jose
Employment Law Tip: Three Ways to Manage Workplace Romance
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, romance is in the air—and maybe even in the workplace. But while workplace romance may be a nice diversion for those involved, it can create some big risks for employers. This can include the threat of sexual harassment lawsuits when a relationship sours, lowered productivity, and even diminished morale […]
Workplace Wellness: Wellness Seems to Be Too Vague a Concept for Our Top Execs—Can You Help?
I’m trying to get a wellness program going in our company but I can’t seem to get top management to “get it.” Can you help out by outlining why wellness is important— something even our VPs can understand?— Stephen P., Manager of People, San Francisco
Civil Rights: Do We Have to Offer Breastfeeding Stations?
One of our employees who has recently returned to work after giving birth says that we have to give her a special room and special breaks to express milk. This would hurt our productivity. Do we have to allow this? —Rachel W., HR Manager in San Francisco
Discrimination: May We Require English-Only on the Job Because Co-Workers Are Uncomfortable?
What are an employer’s restrictions on requiring employees to speak only English while on the clock? We do business in English, and some employees are insulted when there are private conversations in other languages going on around them. It’s also a problem during breaks and lunch. — Matt P., HR Specialist in Sunnyvale
Moonlighting: Who’s Left to Push the Paper?
Loss in productivity: $70,000 – $100,000/year Discount off of Dietco Supplement: $20/month Two-night stay at Schrute Farms: Priceless Once again, Julie is working extra hard this week for one of our clients and has asked me to fill in for her here on the blog. I’m Troy Foster a fellow labor and employment attorney with […]