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Marijuana ‘Gift’ Gets TA Kicked Out of School

We’ve heard of some usual gifts for coworkers, like a bag of ice, a self-recorded CD, and even toilet paper. But those aren’t likely to land you in jail like this Rhode Island teacher assistant. The TA made a big—not to mention illegal—mistake when he allegedly gave his principal some marijuana as a congratulations present. […]

Time to Self-Evaluate—How Many of the 9 Essential HR Skills Do You Have?

This is the 2013 version of our most popular article ever, written in 2006. In no way is our list authoritative, but it is the opinion of people, including BLR® Founder Bob Brady, who’ve spent decades meeting with HR professionals, supporting their goals, and reporting their achievements. You may agree or not with our assessments, […]

Downsizing: Plan Ahead to Avoid Trouble

by Gary Fealk Downsizing can be an effective strategy for building a more efficient organization going forward. But it can also lead to legal liability and may not accomplish the desired cost savings unless an employer implements a carefully considered plan. HR Guide to Employment Law: A practical compliance reference manual covering 14 topics, including […]

Benefits of an Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs) are company-sponsored programs that allow employees to purchase company stock at discounted rates. Typically, employees agree to have a certain percentage of their paychecks withheld each pay period and placed into a fund that is used to purchase company stock at a price discounted from the current market price on […]

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Tips for Directly Hiring Remote Employees

The coronavirus crisis has forced organizations to try out remote work arrangements whenever possible, whether they were ready to do so or not. Some organizations had been doing this for years, and the transition was pretty simple. Others had been resistant to the idea but came around because it was the best option to continue […]

HR certification update: a look at HRCI and SHRM programs

A lot has changed since last spring when the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) announced it was launching a new certification program for HR professionals. The move surprised not just practitioners interested in enhancing their professionalism by earning certification. It also surprised HR Certification Institute (HRCI), the organization that runs what was for decades […]

Safety Culture Checklist: 6 Keys to Success

By Emily Scace Many organizations want to improve their safety culture in order to reduce injury rates, save money, and increase productivity. But how does a company begin to foster a culture of safety? The following are a just few key areas that go a long way toward establishing a positive safety culture in an […]

Columbia University decision latest NLRB victory for unions

The National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) ruling that graduate student assistants at private colleges and universities are entitled to unionize is the latest Board action seen as a boon to union interests. In a 3-1 decision issued on August 23, the Board ruled that graduate assistants at Columbia University are employees as well as students […]

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Seeking Employee Input on New Technology Acquisitions

Implementing the right technology can make a huge difference in a company’s success. Technologies that have strong synergies with the organization and its people can leverage and amplify competitive advantages and set a business apart from its competitors.