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HR Management

Work with providers to sort DOMA impact

07/18/2013
The June 26 Supreme Court decision that overturned Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act will have very specific effects on HR. The most immediate ones involve taxes on pay and benefits. If you operate in a state where same-sex marriage is legal, start working now with your benefits providers.

National origin, language & religion: Legally managing diversity at work

07/17/2013
To achieve compliance and prevent successful discrimination claims (which could involve class-action exposure), employers must be attuned to workplace issues around national origin, religion and race. For most employers, this means training management and HR personnel to carefully consider their policy-making and daily decisions that can affect such issues.

How to toot your HR horn without appearing to brag

07/15/2013
HR people who advance to executive levels know their value, and they make time to communicate it. The key, according to HR consultants: Diplomatically self–promote—no matter how busy you get—without the crassness and fanfare that alienates others.

Worker death can mean prison for company execs

07/15/2013
Here’s extra incentive to make sure your management team makes safety a priority: A former chemical company president in Texas pleaded guilty to occupational safety crimes in federal court and faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Looking for a document shredding firm? Consider 10 points before hiring

07/12/2013
Whether you have pallets of sensitive documents or just a few boxes you need destroyed, you may be considering using the services of a professional document shredding company. But do you know what to look for to get the best deal? Here are 10 pointers to guide you in the right direction, from Corporate Storage Services of Clifton, N.J.

Back to school … with your office supplies?

07/12/2013
Anecdotal evidence points to a great migration of pens, pencils, binders, folders and other office supplies from America’s workplaces to America’s classrooms as summer break ends.

Insta-liability: Online risks go beyond Facebook

07/12/2013
Most of the legal cautionary tales about social media involve misguided posting on Facebook and Twitter. Here’s proof that lack of common sense can be found in all corners of the Internet:

What darkness lurks inside your employee handbook?

07/11/2013
When was the last time you took a red pen to your em­­ployee handbook? One court recently warned you better fix the problems or your handbook could be held against you as “Exhibit A” in court …

Worker hinting at harassment? Provide policy

07/10/2013

You probably make sure all your employees have read your sexual harassment policy. That doesn’t mean they always follow it. If an employee is hinting that she’s being harassed, your best approach may be to hand her another copy and urge her to report any problems right away.

Random wisdom from SHRM 2013

07/10/2013
The HR Specialist hit the road in June for the annual Society for Human Resource Management conference in Chicago. Here are some lessons learned …