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Is Your Training Award-Winning?

Johns Manville of McPherson, Kansas, which produces fiberglass insulation materials, was honored by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for its commitment to safety. In 2007 Johns Manville earned membership in OSHA’s prestigious “star” Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). The star designation is the highest level in the program. “Johns Manville has exhibited excellence in […]

Minneapolis shooting a reminder to be on guard against workplace violence

by Tammy Binford The September 28 shootings that killed six at a Minneapolis business put employers on notice that workplace violence can occur with no warning. Other times, though, there are signs that employers should heed. The October issue of Minnesota Employment Law Letter contains an article titled “Employers look anew at preventing violence in […]

Distracted Driving–Are Employees Talking and Texting Behind the Wheel?

Special from Atlanta–SHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition Yesterday’s Advisor featured the first five of attorney Joseph Beachboard’s 11 risks of e-data. Today, the rest of his risks, plus an introduction to the premier HR website, HR.BLR.com. [Go here for risks 1 to 5.] 6. Physical Use of Personal Devices Suits against employers involving cell phone-related […]

IRS Issues Alternative Per Diems for 2013

Employers and plan administrators have more options now in choosing a way to reimburse the expenses their employees incur for lodging, meals and incidentals during business travel. The IRS in Notice 2012-63 issued per diem rates that are an alternative to the CONUS per diem rates the U.S. General Services Administration issues. The notice also […]

Yes, Better Job Descriptions Will Prevent Lawsuits

Specifically, how do job descriptions protect against lawsuits and money damages? Here are several ways job descriptions help. 1. Promote Proper Classification Recent multi-million-dollar lawsuits should be a wake-up call that good old wage-and-hour issues are worth a little attention, and job descriptions are a key factor. When job descriptions have proper detail, they help […]

Funding Changes May Embolden Pension Investors to De-emphasize Risk

Many retirement plan sponsors and administrators are cheering the phase-in of reduced funding requirements that tie future company contributions to a 25-year average interest rate. Nonetheless, some experts predict that the changes may encourage investors in these plans to think less about hedging risk. A report Towers Watson issued, “The Implications of Funding Relief: What […]

The price of loyalty

Babe Ruth was one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His record of 714 home runs remained unbroken for decades until Hank Aaron finally surpassed him. The Babe was the idol of sports fans but, in time, age took its toll, and his popularity began to wane. Finally, the Yankees traded him to […]

Are Your Employees ENGAGED in Training?

Trainers need to spend more time thinking about how they are going to teach than what they are going to teach, says Vicki Halsey, Ph.D. (www.vickihalsey.com), author of Brilliance by Design: Creating Learning Experiences That Connect, Inspire, and ENGAGE (Berrett-Koehler, 2011), and vice president of applied learning at The Ken Blanchard Companies. Trainers tend to […]

When what’s good for business isn’t good employment law: What warrants termination for cause?

by Kyla Stott-Jess Is a Canadian employer justified in terminating an employee for cause when that employee has disobeyed company policy? What if the consequences of the employee’s failure to follow policy put other employees at serious risk of harm? Not necessarily, said the Ontario Supreme Court recently in Barton v. Rona Ontario Inc. Rather, […]

Yours, Mine, or Ours?–The 11 E-Info Risks

Special from Atlanta–SHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition Employee use and abuse of personal tech devices, e-mail, and social networking is suddenly a high priority HR concern. It’s a big challenge to establish realistic—and legal—policies, says attorney Joseph Beachboard. Beachboard, who is a shareholder in the Los Angeles office of employment law firm Ogletree Deakins, details […]