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Our Readers Talk Back: ‘No Jerks’ Proposal Brings Out ‘C.A.V.E. People’ and ‘Loyal Oppositionists’

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady Bob Brady’s recent column on whether to have a “No jerks!” rule banning antagonistic empoyees brought intriguing responses. One reader expects “a little jerkiness” in everyone, and another invokes the “C.A.V.E.” rule. Here’s a sampling: “C.A.V.E. People and Loyal Oppositionists” “We’ve coined the phrase ‘C.A.V.E. people’ [standing for] […]

More Easy-to-Make, But Hard-to-Defend Supervisor HR Mistakes

In yesterday’s Advisor, we shared common mistakes supervisors make. Today, more tips and an introduction to a supervisor training system that teaches supervisors how to discipline—and do 49 other tasks. In addition to those presented yesterday, Jonathan Segal, a partner with Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen in Philadelphia, offers two more common mistakes supervisors make, […]

Dude, Here Comes the Torch!

My love of “The Office” causes me to lament these weeks where we don’t get a new episode (or even repeat) to enjoy.  But while I certainly miss my weekly dose of Michael and gang, I need not look further than our very own United States Supreme Court to provide us with more scintillating material […]

Driving Matters: Cell Phone Laws in Effect Soon

Starting July 1, it will be illegal in California to drive while using a cell phone, unless the phone is equipped with a hands-free device. Also as of July 1, teens under age 18 can’t drive while using a cell phone—even using a hands-free device. Teens also can’t drive while using any other mobile service […]

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High

Employment law editor Michael Maslanka reviews the book Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler. Review highlights tactics in book for effective communication between supervisors and employees. Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High‘s big idea: There are tactics you can […]

Supervisor Writers’ Block: 6 Common Mistakes That Weaken Documentation

Everyone agrees that supervisors need to document their HR actions, but many have writers’ block. Just remember, says attorney Jonathan Segal, you didn’t hire them for this skill. Here are common mistakes, and ideas for doing it better. The hardest part of writing a discipline memo is writing the first sentence, so give your supervisors […]