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HR Management

Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati top cities for working moms

09/06/2010

Ohio’s three largest cities landed spots in the top 30 of Forbes magazine’s list of best cities for working mothers. The survey weighed women’s income, cost of living, availability of pediatricians, safety, employment and spending on education.

Self-Quiz: Do you need more ‘think time’ in your day?

09/03/2010
iPhones, e-mail, Twitter … the electronic distractions in today’s society have us moving at a faster pace … and have all but eliminated “silent time” in our day. Researchers say this fast pace of society can hurt your health. Are you leading a “hurried” life? Do your habits show that you need to reserve more “think time” in your day? Take this simple quiz to find out …

Moonlighting on company time: Can we get tough?

09/02/2010
Q. One of our employees has received glowing reviews for 10 years, but she’s been working on her personal business on company time for the past two years. The employee’s supervisor never addressed this issue in writing, and now her new supervisor wants to fire her without any documentation or counseling. Can the supervisor do this without any expectation of “trouble” from the employee?

Does your employee-only restroom policy violate code?

09/01/2010
Issue: Many states require organizations to allow public access to their restrooms.
Risk: You, like many employers, may be unaware of this code. One complaint can trigger a fine and …

Back to school–with your office supplies?

08/31/2010
In this week’s HR Specialist Forum, a reader asks a question we never expected: What should she do about an upsurge in office supply pilferage that seems to coincide with back-to-school season? Here’s an idea for starters: Institute a policy saying it’s wrong to steal stuff!

North Carolina outpaced in best cities for working moms

08/30/2010

Charlotte landed near the bottom of Forbes magazine’s top cities for working mothers—placing 48th out of 50—while Raleigh came in 33rd, higher than many Southern cities. Forbes rated the cities against criteria that considered women’s income, cost of living, availability of pediatricians, safety, employment opportunities and spending on education.

Know your union posting requirements under Executive Order 13496

08/27/2010
Final rules are now in place for enforcing Executive Order 13496, the White House decree requiring all federal contractors and subcontractors to notify employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act—the primary federal law governing the relationship between private-sector employers and unions.

Positive drug test? Get worker to admit drug use, too

08/27/2010
Here’s a step you can take to guard against challenges to your drug-testing procedures. When you tell an employee he failed the test, get him to admit he used drugs. That can ensure he doesn’t receive unemployment compensation.

Pittsburgh 4th on Forbes list of cities for working moms

08/27/2010

Buoyed by a good education system, low costs and a falling crime rate, Pittsburgh has placed fourth on Forbes magazine’s annual list of the nation’s best cities for working mothers. The rankings were based on a survey that weighed women’s income, cost of living, availability of pediatricians, safety, employment and spending on education.

Safety trumps faith: Feel free to ban religious garments if they pose a workplace hazard

08/25/2010
Employees have the right to wear religious garb to work, within limits. Under most ordinary circumstances, for example, Muslim women should be allowed to wear head coverings if they hold the sincere belief such coverings are required of their religion. But if the head covering presents a safety issue, chances are an employer can ban the covering.