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Tips for Curbing FMLA Intermittent Leave Abuse

This content was originally published in October 2009. For the latest FMLA regulation changes, visit our FMLA article archives or try our practical FMLA compliance guide. In order to curb FMLA abuse and abuse of intermittent leave, the employer must understand the rights and limits imposed on an employee by the FMLA. The following is […]

Six Lessons on Employee Communications from Gov. Christie

The other day, I read about a confrontation New Jersey Governor Chris Christie had with the state’s firefighters. It occurred on September 17 of last year. Gov. Christie was scheduled to address the firefighters at their annual convention. As the governor entered the convention center and made his way up to the stage, he was […]

Employee Performance Evaluation: Holly Flax

Last night, my television was playing a marathon of “Office” repeats, leaving us without new catastrophes to dissect. So in an attempt to find something to share with you folks, I contacted my mole in Sabre’s corporate human resources department to see what’s new down in Tallahassee. As it turns out, I have a special treat for […]

Unemployed Job Applicants Pose Practical and Legal Dilemmas for HR

Employers have started hiring again and are often overwhelmed with huge numbers of resumes, even for entry-level positions. Some companies have decided that an effective way to identify the best candidates is to refuse to consider job applicants who are currently unemployed. But a number of human resources professionals, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), […]

1000 Readers Tell Us About their Benefits Communication Programs

By Stephen D. Bruce, PHR Editor, HR Daily Advisor Just My E-pinion Benefits communication is especially critical these days—with little going on in the raise department, employers need to be sure that employees truly appreciate the cost of the benefits they’re getting. Last month we surveyed our readers to see how they are doing it. […]

Montana House Passes Bills That May Cause Criminal Penalties, Disastrous Results for Employers

By Jeanne M. Bender Two bills that are progressing through the Montana Legislature would impose significant restrictions on employers’ staffing response to emergencies and their ability to manage unemployment compensation eligibility for recent hires. Montana law currently limits the workday in certain occupations and for certain employers (e.g., mining, smelting, school districts, and state and […]

Tame Turnover with Low-Cost Work/Life Balance Programs

In yesterday’s Advisor, we offered tips for reducing turnover and increasing productivity. Today, the rest of the story, plus good news about job descriptions. [Go here for steps 1 to 5] Step 6: Communicate with your employees Communication is critical for reducing turnover. Remember that communication needs to go both ways. You need to share […]

The Wisdom of Crowds

HR practitioner Paul Knoch reviews The Wisdom of Crowds by James Surowiecki. He finds that while the book is a bit heavy on theory and light on real-life examples, the examples that are provided are revealing and the book raises the important question of whether businesses should look beyond a small field of experts or […]