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HR Management

‘Intentional’ harm can trigger separate lawsuit

12/01/2006

Employees injured on the job typically have only one legal remedy: workers’ compensation benefits. But that restriction is blown out of the water if an employee proves that your organization’s actions amounted to “intentional” harm …

What’s an ‘Essential Function’? Consult DOL Manual

12/01/2006

The ADA requires employers to identify the essential functions of all jobs and make reasonable accommodations for disabled employees to perform those tasks. But if you pile too many tasks onto that “essential functions” list, you may court trouble …

Lighten your HR load by using supervisors wisely

12/01/2006
Say you’re part of an overworked two- or three-person HR department that struggles to keep up with basic administrative duties. Solution: Use supervisors to assist in HR, but be smart in what you choose to delegate.

Boost productivity by helping staff with elder care problems

12/01/2006
Issue: Nearly 10 percent of employees serve as caregivers for their elderly parents. That strain results in turnover and productivity problems. Risk: Lost productivity due to elder caregiving costs U.S. …

Be wary of discussing sensitive personnel issues via e-mail

12/01/2006

You’ve got (legally explosive) e-mail. That’s the message a Broward Circuit Court jury recently delivered to United Parcel Service in a court decision that hinged on a single e-mail sent by a company official …

Employers looking closer at employee Web clicks

12/01/2006

More than one-third (36 percent) of HR professionals say they’ve increased their monitoring of employees during the past 12 months, according to a new survey by the Society for Human Resource Management …

New govt. guidance on protecting staff from avian flu

12/01/2006

Dire warnings of avian flu outbreaks have some employers and employees spooked. So OSHA just unveiled new safety and health guidance on occupational exposure to avian flu and practical recommendations on ways to avoid infection …

Are you spending too much on employee benefits?

12/01/2006

The U.S. government’s main survey on wages and benefits, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, offers a good quarterly snapshot that can help you benchmark your own pay and perks …

New rules on discovery of e-mail, IMs take effect

12/01/2006

If your organization is sued, it must turn over related documents, including old e-mails or computer records. New changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure that took effect Dec. 1 place more burdens on you to come clean with what you have …

Use new govt. data to benchmark benefit percentages

12/01/2006

The U.S. government’s main survey on employee wages and benefits, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation (ECEC), offers a good quarterly snapshot that can help you benchmark your own pay and perks …