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HR Management

Cut slack on notification requirement when emergency clearly signals FMLA need

09/08/2010
When it comes to FMLA leave, many employers have internal procedures that are somewhat stricter than those specified in the FMLA. That doesn’t mean, however, that employers shouldn’t be flexible under emergency circumstances. Holding an employee to an impossible requirement won’t fly with courts.

Google’s 5 tools to lure and retain the best

09/07/2010

Stock options and stocked kitchens aren’t the only reason employee turnover is so low at Google. While the online giant is legendary for its financial and “comfort” perks, you need to look beyond these to see its real retention tools. Shannon Deegan, Google’s director of People Operations, explained some of these at the SHRM conference in San Diego:

Calling your employment attorney: When it’s needed, when it’s not

09/07/2010
Say your HR office just received a subpoena for the employment records of an employee. How should you respond? Maybe your company doesn’t have a general counsel. Maybe you don’t even have an HR office—it’s just you! Then what do you do?

Cutting health care costs: The 3-legged stool

09/07/2010

As premiums continue to rise and reforms have added new complexity (and looming new costs), the C-Suite is pushing HR for solutions. With insurance plan renewals fast approaching for many employers, there’s even more urgency. Reducing employers’ health insurance burden requires balancing three strategies: cost shifting, cost reduction and plan changes.

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.