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HR Management

Follow your own rules, and be confident you’ll win lawsuits

04/28/2010

Any employee can file a lawsuit for any reason. But filing and winning are two different things. Most lawsuits end up dismissed after the employer shows the court it followed its own rules and fairly disciplined the employee.

Ensure workers know how to report harassment

04/28/2010

One of the best ways to protect your organization from sexual harassment lawsuits is to make sure all employees know what sexual harassment is and what to do about it. The more you publicize the policy, the harder it will be for an employee to argue she didn’t lodge a complaint because she didn’t know she should.

5 keys to boosting participation in your health plan

04/27/2010

Innovative employers are applying five new principles when they talk to employees about health and health insurance. As you look for ways to encourage employees to be active, informed consumers of the health benefits you offer, see how many you can incorporate into your own communication plans.

Take a hike: Tomorrow is National Walk @ Lunch Day

04/27/2010
Get ready to trade working lunches for walking lunches. On April 28, employees at thousands of companies will take part in “National Walk @ Lunch Day.” It’s not too late to organize your own lunchtime trek—we’ve got links to the planning tools you need.

Once is not enough! Promote perks year-round

04/23/2010

For too many employers, benefits communication consists of handing an annual statement to workers and saying, “See you next year.” However, a new survey says U.S. workers’ biggest complaint about their employee benefits isn’t cost or access—it’s that employees don’t really understand the benefits they already have. Here are inexpensive ways HR can educate employees year-round:

Supreme Court hears arguments: Are employees’ personal text messages private?

04/20/2010

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday heard oral arguments in a case that could settle the contentious issue of whether employers have a right to read personal text messages employees send using employer-provided equipment and bandwidth. Based on the Justices’ questions, it doesn’t sound good for the cop who sent racy texts to his wife — and his girlfriend.

Schwan’s must hand over demographic data in EEOC case

04/19/2010
Schwan’s, the Marshall-based frozen food company, must turn over data requested by the EEOC in a long-running sex discrimination case. Judge Janie Myeron ruled in favor of the EEOC’s subpoena requesting demographic data on employees who have entered the company’s management trainee program.

Lowe’s to offer free employee health screening

04/19/2010
Home improvement giant Lowe’s is offering free health screenings to its employees. Lowe’s operates 13 stores in Minnesota, with more than 1,500 employees.

Apply zero-tolerance policy on workplace violence across the board

04/19/2010

Many employers have adopted so-called zero-tolerance rules prohibiting any kind of violence at work. The reason: Getting rid of violent employees is crucial to maintaining a safe work environment. But be careful how you enforce the rule. If you ever make exceptions, you’re asking for a lawsuit.

Use proactive measures to stop bias lawsuits

04/19/2010

Sometimes, all it takes to stop a potential lawsuit based on a supervisor’s poor behavior is a timely warning. Take, for example, what might happen if a subordinate believed her supervisor was targeting her for poor treatment because of her race. If HR takes a strong stance and persuades the supervisor to change her approach, then a potential lawsuit may dissolve into nothing.