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Employee Relations

Discovered unsuspected wrongdoing? Fire away!

11/29/2012
Sometimes, internal investigations pull back the curtain on performance problems that have nothing to do with the original inquiry. Even if it turns out that the initial reason for the investigation was unfounded, you don’t have to ignore other issues you may uncover.

The details matter when documenting discipline

11/27/2012
The next time you discipline an em­­ployee, consider how his conduct compares to others who broke a similar rule. Then detail the differences if the punishment varies. That way, you can later explain why two employees violating a similar rule deserved different punishments.

Frequent standing eases back pain for desk-bound

11/26/2012

At HealthPartners in Minneapolis, the workstations of employees with computer-intensive jobs have been redesigned with desks that allow users to easily raise or lower the keyboard and monitor so it’s possible to type while seated or while standing.

‘Week of Service’ invites Allstate employees to volunteer

11/23/2012

Northbrook, Ill.-based Allstate this summer challenged its 70,000 em­­ployees to partner with local nonprofit organizations in their communities—and it made a $500 grant to each of those nonprofits, awarding $80,000 overall.

Fire if necessary: Complaining about bias doesn’t earn free pass to terrorize co-workers

11/19/2012
Don’t let past discrimination complaints by an obviously troubled employee keep you from ensuring workplace safety. Even vague threats can justify firing a potentially dangerous employee. Few judges will see that as retaliation.

Best Buy employees unwind with the same gadgets they sell

11/16/2012
When a Best Buy store does well, the employees share in the spoils. Plus, at some of the stores, employees blow off steam by competing on video games and foosball tables in the break room.

‘Three Blind Mice’ helps NIH staff understand disability

11/15/2012

At the National Institutes of Health, blind employees are reaching out to sighted co-workers to teach them how to treat them during the workday.

Track all discipline to prove you don’t discriminate when punishing employees

11/12/2012

Employee lawsuits that appear out of nowhere often involve some form of alleged discrimination against someone who believes he was disciplined more harshly than other employees. That’s one reason you should routinely track all discipline.

Audit disciplinary records to ensure protected employees aren’t being unfairly punished

11/12/2012

Do you know for sure that your supervisors equally punish em­­­­ployees who break the same workplace rules? If not, it’s time to conduct an internal audit. Check disciplinary records against your employees’ protected characteristics.

Performance slipping under new supervisor? Find out if standards have changed

11/12/2012
If a former employee sues after being fired for poor performance, his attorney will almost certainly ask to look at past performance appraisals. Any that indicate the employee had previously been doing a good or excellent job may be used against you as proof the employee was fired for illegal reasons.