Month: December 2013

Filling the engagement gap: How employers can fight employee flight

A couple of recent surveys paint a disturbing picture: One survey from talent management firm Right Management found that 83 percent of 900 North American employees surveyed plan to seek new positions in 2014. Another Right Management survey reports that 56 percent of the more than 1,800 human resources managers polled concede that their employee […]

Worksite Privacy from Social Networking to Social Security

Yesterday’s Advisor featured four common-law claims and the first four privacy issues for employers. Today, the rest of the issues, plus an introduction to a comprehensive collection of 350 prewritten policies on CD. [Go here for issues 1 to 4.] 5. Social Networking Sites Employees have increasingly been utilizing social networking sites for a variety […]

Q&A on Job Description Creation

Job descriptions aren't merely lists of qualifications and duties. To the contrary, they are active documents by which you determine who you will hire, and how you will evaluate and compensate the people who will eventually fill those jobs. Getting them right takes time and a good understanding of what they're trying to accomplish. HR […]

’Tis the Season for Cold Weather Training

The material in this issue is adapted from BLR®’s audio PowerPoint® presentation on “Working in Cold Conditions.” When winds begin to blow, it’s time for organizations with outside operations to train their workers on how to work safely in cold weather. Read on for suggested answers to the training exercise questions in yesterday’s issue. [marketing: […]

Incentives End-of-the-Year Checkup

Incentive Compensation Checklist General Questions       Do you have an incentive compensation plan? Yes□  No□ Is it in writing? Yes□  No□ Does your incentive plan support the company’s mission and long-term goals/objectives? Yes□  No□ What levels of the organization will participate in the incentive compensation plan, e.g., top management, salespeople, entire organization? Yes□  […]

Rhode Island joins states with ‘ban the box’ laws

by Timothy C. Cavazza Rhode Island’s new law prohibiting employers from asking on employment applications whether an applicant has ever been “convicted of a crime” takes effect on January 1. Despite the initial ban, employers are permitted to “ask an applicant for information about his or her criminal convictions at the first interview or thereafter, […]

Employers need to be ready for new California law on same-sex harassment

by Tara K. Clancy and Kristine W. Hanson A new California law means employees who file same-sex harassment cases should have an easier time getting relief from the courts. Senate Bill (SB) 292, which was signed into law in August and takes effect in January, means employees don’t have to have evidence that sexual desire […]

11 Common Workplace Privacy Issues (and 4 Common-Law Claims)

Although employers generally possess a significant degree of latitude with regard to maintaining the integrity of company products, monitoring productivity, and ensuring a safe worksite, employers must balance such interests with the interests of their employees to maintain a degree of privacy.

High Court Ruling on ‘Stock-Drop’ Could Chase Company Shares out of 401(k)s

A brief from the U.S. Solicitor General recommending that the U.S. Supreme Court hear a “stock-drop” class-action case could make it the most important ERISA litigation of the High Court’s current term. Employee benefits attorneys watching the case’s progress say a High Court decision could deter employers from offering employer stock as a 401(k) plan […]

What Did You Learn About Exec Comp to Apply to 2014?

Executive Compensation Checklist General       Do you have a plan for executive compensation? Yes□  No□ Is it in writing? Yes□  No□ Does it have stated goals? Yes□  No□ Do those goals include:   Increasing productivity? Yes□  No□ Increasing quality? Yes□  No□ Retaining good employees? Yes□  No□ Attracting good employees? Yes□  No□ Rewarding good […]