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HR Management

How can we prevent co-worker harassment from escalating into violence?

05/27/2009

Q. A co-worker is harassing one of our employees, and we are concerned it may get violent. What can we do about this?

Offering help at interview doesn’t mean you regard applicant as disabled

05/27/2009

As an employer, you’ve probably learned to ignore apparent disabilities because you could end up violating the ADA if you inquire about disabilities. That doesn’t mean, however, that you’ll run afoul of the law if you do something as simple as offering assistance to an applicant who is having trouble navigating stairs or getting on the elevator.

Train managers: Watch out for language that could be construed as derogatory

05/27/2009

Sometimes, people don’t realize the language they are using may be offensive to members of a protected class. That can happen when a term has been in use for decades or even centuries and has become separated from its original meaning or context. Consider a recent case involving usage of the term “tar baby.”

Carefully track all training to ensure all employees have equal access

05/27/2009

Employees are entitled to a workplace free of discrimination. That includes having equal access to training. For example, favoring some employees for training opportunities at the expense of other employees who belong to a protected class may cause a discrimination lawsuit.

Develop the 3 business skills that CEOs want most

05/26/2009

More than ever, top execs are seeking HR professionals with business skills to help shape organizational strategy. Here are the top business skills that experts and surveys say executives want in HR professionals …

Stretch your budget with 5 benefits-on-a-shoestring tactics

05/26/2009

Even during a recession, it’s possible to beef up your benefits. Instead of spending money on new perks, spend some time thinking creatively about the perks you already offer—and present them to employees in a new light. Employees are likely to perceive that you’re adding benefits if you make existing ones more valuable. Here are some ways to get started:

Dump the slump: 14 ways to energize staff

05/19/2009

The recession has plenty of employees distracted and anxious—about their jobs, their 401(k)s and their monthly bills. That’s not good news at a time when you need to squeeze every ounce of productivity from your employees. These 14 tips can motivate shell-shocked employees.

@Twitterers: Watch what you tweet! @Videographers: Grow up!

05/19/2009

Employees do the darnedest things, and it’s often up to HR to clean up the resulting mess. Better to have prevented it in the first place. Two recent news stories point out problems that could have been stopped with simple policies on use of technology in the workplace. With the right handbook lingo, much corporate embarrassment could have been avoided.

Look for firing trends that could signal bias

05/15/2009

In a case that illustrates why you should review all your employment decisions for potential hidden bias, a California appeals court has ruled that employees can use other employees to testify that they, too, were discriminated against in the same way.

How to prepare your workplace for a possible flu pandemic

05/13/2009

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have for years predicted that a virulent influenza outbreak could kill tens of thousands, hospitalize hundreds of thousands and sicken millions. Regardless of how the swine flu crisis plays out, it should be a wake-up call for employers. If you haven’t already, now is the time to undertake pandemic planning efforts.