Month: February 2011

Harassment Allegations Require Immediate Action

As soon as an employee comes to you and says, “I’m being harassed,” you need to address that allegation immediately. It may be that no harassment has actually taken place, but it’s your job to launch a prompt, thorough investigation to find out.

FMLA—Myths and Misconceptions

FMLA just won’t get easier. It seems that every request for FMLA has some new twist. Today, we’ll unravel a few twisted misconceptions your managers and supervisors may have. You probably know about these issues, but your managers and supervisors probably do not. Best way to get their attention? Remind them that under the FMLA, […]

How Can You Prove that a Worker’s Injury Is Not Permanent?

This content was originally published in January 2000. For the latest in HR management, visit our archives or try our online compliance portal, HR.BLR.com. While Melinda Stark was assembling auto parts at King Auto Plant, she noticed a strong smell of pine-scented cleaning fluid coming from the break room. “What are they doing—cleaning in there?” […]

Walk a Mile in Someone Else’s Shoes

We’ve all heard the old saying “Don’t judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes.” It’s pretty straightforward. The Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings describes it this way: “Don’t criticize another person’s work until you’ve tried to do it yourself; don’t judge another person’s life until you’ve been […]

Let’s Get It On…

Litigation Value: none now, but plenty in the making. Studio 54 was a nightclub in New York City with infamously loose rules related to sexual expression. Rumor has it that back-room rendezvous were the norm. Sabre/Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton office may be trying to give the club a run for its money. Dwight Schrute reminded us that […]

Health Care—What Happens in 2011

By Stephen D. Bruce, PHR Managing Editor, HR Daily Advisor Just My E-pinion The enactment of the health care reform bills launched an extended period of far-reaching changes that impact every employer. BLR’s hot-off-the-press Special Report details what’s happening in 2011 (and beyond to 2018). Here’s what you need to be thinking about in 2011: […]

Misclassified Employees Can Mean Big Payouts

In yesterday’s CED, attorneys Veronica Gray & E. George Joseph warned of the coming crackdown on misclassification of independent contractors. Today, classification factors considered by government agencies and the courts, as well as an introduction to a can’t-miss webinar next week. Misclassification is high on the DOL and IRS agendas, so it’s a good place […]

Empowerment’ and ‘Business Warfare’ Join the Ranks of the Dumbest Concepts

In yesterday’s Advisor, we endured author Geoffrey James calling HR one of the “5 dumbest management concepts ever.” Today, two more of his dumbest concepts plus an introduction to a unique program for small HR departments James is a prolific writer and observer of the business scene and is the author of seven books, including […]

New IRS Guidance: Pay and Benefits During Military Leave

This content was originally published in April 2010. For the latest FMLA regulation changes, visit our FMLA article archives or try our practical FMLA compliance guide. Although the number of military service members called to active duty has decreased somewhat, many American men and women in the National Guard and reserves continue to receive the […]