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HR Management

Should we forbid supervisors from becoming their subordinates’ friend on Facebook?

02/09/2011
Q. A supervisor recently asked if he was allowed to accept a subordinate’s “friend” request on Facebook. How should we advise our supervisors?

How to legally make the digital leap to electronic HR records

02/09/2011
Given the low cost and the easy accessibility of electronic records storage, many employers are making the digital leap to “paperless” HR. But despite the many benefits of going paperless, a host of legal problems could derail even the best-intentioned digital records plan. Carefully consider these legal issues when transitioning to an electronic personnel records system.

Nobel learns the hard way: ADA violations are costly

02/09/2011
For-profit education company Nobel Learning Centers (NLC), has agreed to settle charges it excluded disabled children from its programs in violation of the ADA. Although the settlement involves ADA public-access issues, it has important implications for employers.

10 ways to rev up training for the recovery

02/09/2011
Training budgets are back. Many organizations that made double-digit cuts in training funding in 2008 and 2009 increased spending on employee development last year. If your organization is ready to reinvest in training, follow these 10 principles:

NLRB settlement suggests employee Facebook posts are protected

02/08/2011
The National Labor Relations Board has settled with a company that fired an employee for posting negative comments about a boss on her Facebook page. The case seems to signal that employee communications that happen via social media constitute protected activity under federal law. Does your social media policy go too far?

New survey reveals the 10 most depressing jobs

02/08/2011
Medical specialists employed at nursing homes and those who treat children are the most likely workers to report major episodes of depression (not just people who hate their jobs), according to a new study by Health magazine.

Play it straight: When employee’s complaints become irrational, stick with sound procedures

02/07/2011

After a discrimination complaint has been found to be without merit, most reasonable employees accept their employer’s conclusions and go back to doing their jobs. But some become bitter, suspecting that HR and management are out to get them and interpreting every subsequent interaction as evidence of a hostile conspiracy. When this happens, the worst thing you can do is play into the fear.

How to prevent succession planning from triggering discrimination complaints

02/04/2011
Many companies design succession plans so they can spot the next generation of leaders early and develop current employees to their full potential. If your organization is involved in such a process, step back and look: Does everyone who is tapped for special treatment come from the same race or gender? Or does the chosen group exclude older workers or the disabled?

Hand-held phone ban for commercial drivers?

02/03/2011
In 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration prohibited commercial truck and bus drivers from texting while driving. Last month, the agency proposed banning such drivers from reaching for, holding or dialing a cell phone while operating a commercial vehicle.

Safety for all: Ensure evacuation plans comply with the ADA

02/02/2011
Although we usually think of the ADA in terms of helping disabled people perform their jobs with or without accommodations, the law also has important workplace safety implications. Under the ADA, you must make sure your emergency evacuation plans take into account the needs of disabled employees. Some issues to consider: