Employee Relations

Decided to terminate? Don’t wait to act

02/13/2023

Once you have made the decision to fire a worker, try to carry out the firing promptly. Delaying can backfire. If you must wait, write a memo memorializing when and why you made the discharge decision. That documentation can help you later if the terminated worker files a lawsuit.

How HR can equip managers to drive high employee performance in 2023

02/08/2023

It’s no secret that employee engagement and performance are at all-time lows, posing significant challenges for managers and HR departments. Dubbed the “quiet quitting” epidemic by the mainstream media, employees across the country are disengaged, only putting forth the minimum effort not to get fired.

Plants at work could help reduce errors

01/31/2023

Participants in an experiment made 43% fewer errors when performing stress-inducing cognitive tasks in rooms outfitted with “air-purifying green walls” covered with plants.

Plan ahead to apply PIPs consistently, fairly

01/31/2023

When employees aren’t living up to work standards, consider placing them on a performance improvement plan that spells out what they must do to keep their jobs. While each case will be unique, it’s important to set up procedures for implementing PIPs in advance.

Worried about a new hire? ‘Salvage operation’ tips

01/25/2023

Despite a thorough hiring process, even promising candidates can develop performance issues once on the job. Now, several weeks in, you’re noticing concerning patterns that weren’t evident during interviews. Before making a hasty decision in either direction, it’s time for a structured approach to evaluate whether this employee can become a valuable team member or if it’s best to part ways.

OK to discipline worker who filed complaint

01/24/2023

Make sure your organization’s supervisors understand that it’s perfectly legal to impose legitimate discipline on an employee who has filed a harassment or discrimination complaint.

12 tips for your next performance review

01/18/2023

At its core, performance reviews don’t need to be complicated, says Paul Falcone, principal of Paul Falcone Workplace Leadership Consulting. Following are 12 practical tips for your HR team and managers to put into practice during their next round of performance reviews.

5 ways to reduce employee turnover

01/10/2023

A certain amount of employee turnover is inevitable and is considered healthy. However, too much will start to disrupt your operations. Here are five ways to reduce your turnover rate.

Keep it Legal: The case for detailed disciplinary notes

01/06/2023

Do you keep detailed disciplinary notes and pass them on to HR? Here’s why, as a manager, you should. If you have to fire a worker and he sues, alleging discrimination because another worker broke the same rule and wasn’t fired, those notes will come in handy. Detailed narratives let you explain why you allowed one worker to get away with a warning or short suspension while you fired another worker who broke the same rule.

Boost employee morale in 2023

01/04/2023

The holidays are over; the January blahs are real. Here are two ways to boost employee morale and motivate them throughout the year.