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HR Management

Keep all lawsuit settlements confidential!

06/27/2013
Here’s an important warning for employers that end discrimination or harassment lawsuits with settlement agreements that include a confidentiality clause: Keep those terms confidential and accessible only to those who absolutely need to know. Otherwise, you could wind up facing a retaliation lawsuit if word of the settlement leaks out …

Insist that workers follow internal grievance process

06/26/2013
Do you require employees to use an internal grievance policy when they have a complaint about working conditions? That policy may apply to re­­tal­­i­­ation claims too, even if the em­­ployee has been fired. Failing to use the proc­­ess may cancel the right to sue.

Create–and enforce–policy requiring honesty

06/26/2013
Employers want honest ­employees who don’t lie, cheat or steal. To encourage honesty, be sure your company has a policy requiring honesty. That way, it’s easy to terminate someone you believe has acted dishonorably.

Slackers can be a drag on any kind of enterprise

06/24/2013
A recent performance review described a talented but frustrating worker as the organization’s “most difficult.” Among many faults, bosses zeroed in on these:

Court: If interns perform work, pay them!

06/19/2013
A New York case with a Hollywood connection is a timely reminder that, in almost all cases, employers must pay interns, no matter how menial their work is.

Social media users may be most productive workers

06/18/2013
Call center employees who participated in five or more social networking sites had a 1.6% higher sales conversion rate than their co-workers and spent 2.8% less time per call, according to a survey by data analytics firm Evolv.

4 keys for legally managing absenteeism

06/14/2013
The costs of absenteeism—in lost production, overtime and temp replacements for the absent worker—can add up quickly. Combat absenteeism with a clear policy, careful documentation and consistent discipline.

OSHA serves up tornado, wildfire preparedness info

06/13/2013
OSHA’s website offers timely advice to help employers plan for and respond to the threat of tornadoes and wildfires. The site covers how to develop an emergency plan, and features checklists and links to additional resources.

Hospital system publicizes impact of its jobs on state

06/13/2013
Novant Health Care is telling its em­­ployees and the North Carolina communities where they work about the positive impact a big employer can have. The 11-hospital system released an economic impact analysis that revealed the organization’s activities generated nearly $5.9 billion of economic activity in North Carolina last year.

Medical records for past employees: Should we retain them? If so, how long?

06/12/2013
Q. Is there any reason to keep old medical files on past employees? Usually the info in the medical files is whether they’ve had a TB test, typical paperwork on physicals, or return-to-work information after pregnancies or injuries.