HRIS / Technology

Social media: The 7 elements of a legally smart company policy

10/08/2010

Social media can help you collect industry-based knowledge, reach new customers and build your brand. But those benefits come with their fair share of legal risks. You need a comprehensive social media policy to guide employees on your expectations about their online behavior, especially when that conduct occurs in the name of the organization.

Employees post online reviews? They must disclose relationship

09/24/2010

Be careful if your employees are spreading the word about your company’s products and services online. Last year, the FTC issued new Enforcement Guidelines that require employees to disclose their relationships with their employer whenever they post comments or positive reviews about their employer’s product on a social media site.

Workers posting great reviews of products online? Make sure they identify themselves as employees

09/24/2010

Be careful if your employees are spreading the word online about your company’s products and services. Last year, the FTC issued new Enforcement Guidelines that require employees to disclose their relationships with their employer whenever they post comments or positive reviews about their employer’s product on a social media site.

How to comply with your new union posting requirements

09/14/2010

Final rules are now in place for enforcing new rules requiring all federal contractors and subcontractors to notify employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act. If you do any business for the federal government, as either a contractor or subcontractor, here are the steps you need to take to comply.

How should we handle a deceased worker’s e-mail?

09/08/2010

Q. A deceased employee’s spouse has asked us for copies of personal e-mails that were on the employee’s work computer. Can we provide her copies?

What can we do about an employee who has been blasting us on his personal web site?

09/08/2010

Q. One of my employees has created his own web site and has been posting negative comments about our company. Specifically, he has accused the company of failing to provide adequate benefits and paying below-market wages. Can we fire this worker for this conduct?

Does your employee-only restroom policy violate code?

09/01/2010

Issue: Many states require organizations to allow public access to their restrooms.
Risk: You, like many employers, may be unaware of this code. One complaint can trigger a fine and …

Hiring MS Word experts? Look ‘inside’ the résumé

08/18/2010

When hiring people who tout themselves as Microsoft Word “experts,” here’s a way to see if they really know how to use the software: Ask them to send the résumé in Word format, then simply click the Show/Hide button. It can reveal telltale signs of rookie moves.

Online learning: Back-to-school picks

08/17/2010

Autumn brings with it a “back to school” feeling that can be sated only with a seminar or course. And there’s no easier, more affordable source for online learning than iTunes. Find out about this new, free training resource that just might work in your organization.

Don’t ban staff use of social media–exploit it

08/11/2010

Matt Kaiser, VP of NAS Recruitment Communication, encourages employers to create policies and procedures to help employees take advantage of social media. “Your employees are going to be the best way to build your powerful employee brand,” said Kaiser. “Give employees advice on what to do—not just what not to do.…”