Employee Relations

Overlooked retention tool: Show employees a future path

05/03/2013

Many employers are missing out on a simple, no-cost way to retain employees—communicate your promotions and promotion policies.

Retaliation alert: Don’t punish boss for refusing to alter disputed performance review

05/01/2013

Here’s an important reminder for senior executives: If an employee says she will sue for discrimination unless her evaluation is changed, don’t punish her supervisor if he refuses to go along. That could amount to retaliation for protected activity—meaning you could have two lawsuits on your hands.

OK to punish repeat offenders more harshly

04/30/2013

A cardinal HR rule: Everyone who breaks the same rule should receive the same punishment. That doesn’t mean a frequent rule-breaker can’t be punished more harshly.

Emotional outburst? Respond with patience, calm

04/29/2013

Occasionally, we all have to deal with overly emotional employees. Handling them requires a mature and measured response, especially if it looks like you may have to discipline them.

Being sole minority employee doesn’t mean special protection

04/22/2013

How often have you worried about disciplining the only employee who belongs to a particular protected class? You probably feared that the employee would sue, alleging bias. Relax. Being the only black … or Asian … or female employee doesn’t confer any particular advantage in a discrimination lawsuit.

Verizon workers teach each other via video

04/22/2013

Verizon invested nearly $400 million in the development, education and training of its employees last year, and spent $100 million in tuition assistance for more than 23,000 employees. But it’s the company’s employees themselves who may be teaching one another the most.

Poor performance–properly documented–warrants termination

04/15/2013

In almost every case, clearly documented poor performance will trump discrimination allegations. That’s especially true if you can offer examples going back a reasonable period of time.

In court? Turn over all relevant documents

04/15/2013

Here’s a warning for HR professionals who are reviewing personnel files for use in a lawsuit: Don’t even think about playing games with the judge by failing to hand over everything. For example, if you provide only negative information, chances are a judge won’t be pleased.

The art of giving negative feedback: A 7-step approach

04/09/2013

If employees are totally blindsided by poor reviews or terminations, they are much more likely to file lawsuits. But if workers receive coaching and progressive discipline, they’ll see the bad news coming a mile away, and they’ll have little reason or motivation to play the legal card. Follow this seven-step method whenever giving negative feedback:

Reinstate fun, family focus to recruit and retain

04/04/2013

If your organization is suffering a post-recession exodus of its most valuable employees, here’s an old-school idea to stop the drain: Add job perks that your competitors don’t offer.