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HR Management

HR: Carefully review firing plans; courts will frown on ‘rubber stamp’

12/01/2003
It’s not impossible to discipline employees who complain of discrimination. They’re not untouchable. Just make sure you can show that the discipline flows from objective performance factors, not retaliation.
Still, …

Enlist in-house recruits to help you guard the door

12/01/2003
Issue: Employees can provide your best defense against security breaches. Benefits: Low-cost security, plus employee involvement. Action: Poll employees, especially smokers, to determine where your organization …

Consider retaining just part of a lawyer

12/01/2003
Your organization may not need, or be able to afford, a corporate lawyer down the hall, or even one on retainer. Solution: Obtain the right amount of occasional legal service by using a new breed of so-called “fractional general counsels.”

It’s time for a benefit-plan refresher course

12/01/2003
Open-enrollment season provides an opportunity to host a benefit plan brush-up meeting for all employees. Do they need it? Yes! Some 43 percent of employees grade themselves a “C” or worse …

RÈsumÈ fraud: Not just for youngsters

12/01/2003
Remind managers to scrutinize rÈsumÈ claims of all employees, not just candidates for entry-level jobs. Reason: Experts say more applicants in their 50s and 60s are lying about their age, fudging …

Figure out how much you’re worth

12/01/2003
Issue: The recent slow growth in HR pay hikes picked up speed in 2003. Benefit: Stronger pay growth nationwide gives you more bargaining power in your shop … or on …

Credit union membership: a no-cost employee benefit

12/01/2003
Issue: Offering membership in a credit union as an employee benefit is now easier than ever. Benefits: Employees gain access to low-cost financial services. And you have a new, no-cost …

Build a peer network you can tap for expertise

12/01/2003
Issue: HR’s uniqueness makes it difficult to tap others within your organization for brainstorming, problem-solving, etc. Benefits: Joining or forming a network of HR pros can give you valuable sounding …

No need to rush and upgrade to Office 2003

12/01/2003
The reviews are in. Here’s the verdict: Upgrade to Microsoft’s new Office 2003 version only if you handle large volumes of e-mail, use a network and plan to install Microsoft’s server …

Avoid stricter notification policy than FMLA requires

12/01/2003
Can your organization require employees to give notice of their need for FMLA in a way that’s more stringent than the standards set by federal law? Courts are split on this …