Archives

What Can HR Do About Workplace Gossip?

Let’s face it. We’re living in a society that’s fascinated, if not obsessed, with the private lives of other people. As much as you may want to deny it, you know you’ve looked at the National Enquirer more than once — even if it was just while you were waiting in the grocery store checkout […]

Managing the Millennials: Part 1

by Stephen J. Stine A new generation of technologically savvy, idealistic, and independent-minded young people is entering today’s workforce. Born between 1980 and 2000, this generation, the children of the baby boomers, is collectively known as the “Millennials” or “Generation Y.” They’re sociable, optimistic, well-educated, collaborative, open-minded, and achievement-oriented. Which management styles and strategies should […]

Readers Strongly Reject ‘No iPods at Work’ Rule

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady Two weeks ago, BLR’s founder and CEO Bob Brady, waxed eloquent in this space over the many good things about his iPod®, but also expressed his e-pinion that “serious” workers don’t have talk radio and music on while they work. Most readers disagreed. I never cease to be […]

Ripped From The Headlines

Well, apparently Michael Scott has moved to Boston and obtained a medical degree.  Last week, the Boston Globe reported that a neurosurgeon at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital was suing for gender discrimination. Her evidence?  The antics of her boss, the chief of neurosurgery, who keeps an 8 inch sculpture of a penis and a […]

More Emergency Closing Challenges—and an HR and Comp Managers’ “Multi-Tool” to Get You Through

In the last Advisor, we considered compensation challenges related to emergency closings. Today: Related hassles and the problem solver thousands of HR pros use to help them through it. In an emergency closure, ordinary procedures are usually disrupted. Here are key processes you need to have in place to keep things going: Notification Notification is […]

Starbucks Baristas Win $100 Million for Tip-Pooling Violations

A San Diego judge has ordered Starbucks Corp. to pay its California coffee baristas a caffeine-jolting $100 million in back tips and interest, after finding that the coffee chain violated California wage and hour law by allowing shift supervisors to share in employee tips. The lawsuit was filed as a class action in 2004 by […]

Snakes In Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work

Resources for Humans Managing Editor Celeste Blackburn reviews the book Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work by Paul Babiak, Ph.D. and Robert D. Hare, Ph.D. Review highlights how book teaches employers to avoid hiring psychopath employees by giving interview tips. Babiak is an industrial and organizational psychologist, and Hare is the author of […]

FLSA Exemptions: How Many Workers Must Report to a Working Foreman to Make Him or Her a ‘Supervisor’?

We have a lot of production workers, several “working foremen,” and a few supervisors. A foreman has said that because of the number of people working under him (10 employees), he should be paid as a supervisor. So now we’re trying to sort out the distinction between workers, working foremen, and supervisors. Is there a […]

Family and Medical Leave: DOL Proposes Changes to FMLA Regulations; A Look at the Highlights

In February, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a long-awaited proposal to update and retool Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) regulations. The lengthy proposal covers notice requirements, medical certifications, eligibility, the definition of “continuing treatment” for a serious health condition, fitness for duty, and more. The changes are generally welcome news for employers.