Archives

Please Sue Me–How Managers Beg for Lawsuits

It used to be so much easier, says Hunter Lott. “If you won’t work, I’ll fire you or cut your pay.” Try that now, he says. Employees will say, “Big deal, go ahead and I’ll sue.” Lott is a partner at HCap International, a human capital training and consulting organization in Lawrence, Kansas, and the […]

Will the U.S economy affect business, workers in Canada?

by Brian Smeenk Wall Street has seldom been in such disarray. There are bank and insurance company failures the likes of which we haven’t seen since 1929. The credit markets have been in disarray for months. The federal government rescue packages will significantly affect the deficit. Many are predicting a recession in the USA. How […]

Job Descriptions–Your First Line of Defense

In the last issue of the Advisor, we covered methodology and appraisal in layoffs. Today, we look at the role of job descriptions–and at a surprising new job description development and storage system. If anyone questions your selections for layoff (and yes, someone is going to question them), and you considered skills and priorities for […]

Stay Tuned!

The new season of The Office starts Thursday. The first episode is entitled “Weight Loss,” and the promo features Michael in some sort of fat suit. I can already see we’re going to have some issues. On the bright side, Michael and the new HR gal Holly are apparently going to continue developing their friendly […]

Controversial LAWA Upheld by Ninth Circuit

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the controversial Legal Arizona Workers Act (LAWA). Under the LAWA, which took effect January 1, 2008, a business found guilty of “knowingly” or “intentionally” hiring undocumented workers faces suspension or revocation of its business license and is placed on probationary status for a period of time. […]

Hot List: NY Times Bestselling Hardcover Business Books

The following is a list of the bestselling hardcover business books as ranked by the New York Times on September 22. 1.The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by by Timothy Ferriss. Because life isn’t all about work. 2. The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by […]

It’s Layoff Time–and EEOC Is Watching

How’s this for a news flash: People don’t like to get fired. And when they do get fired, they look for someone else to blame. Guess who? “You fired me because I’m X (fill in the blank with the name of a protected class).” That’s one lawsuit, but that’s not the end of it. The […]

Kids Back to School–Parents Too?

Summer is over, and the kids are back at school—and so are their parents. As you well know, some of your employees will undoubtedly be traveling to their children’s schools at various times throughout the school year for meetings and activities. Do you know the rules regarding when parents can take work leave to participate […]

‘Beeting’ Back Financial Crisis

Wall Street is taking a beating. Still. AIG’s collapse is just the latest in a series of events that is increasingly having an effect on our lives and the companies we work for. Dunder Mifflin has encountered its share of financial problems including layoffs and even a branch closing. As you recall, the gang in […]

Ways for Workers and Businesses to Save Money by Cutting Gas and Energy Use

Your employees are probably feeling the pinch, and in many workplaces, talk has already turned to winter survival and energy costs if heating oil, natural gas, and electricity are as expensive as it looks like they will be. You’d like to help, but businesses are feeling the pinch, too. Rising energy costs make it more […]