Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
By Marisa Victor and Sean McGurran Following a recent decision by Ontario’s highest court, employers across Canada may now be on the hook for more termination pay when nonunion employees are laid off for an extended period. In the recent decision of Elsegood v. Cambridge Spring Service (2001) Ltd. (Elsegood), the court concluded that when […]
An old maxim says “never talk about religion or politics,” but how realistic (or even desirable) is that advice? And as the worlds of religion and politics collide, talk of one often crosses the line into speech about the other. While employers don’t want to trample on anyone’s right of free speech, they also can’t […]
To tame turnover, says consultant Karl Ahlrichs, SPHR. Focus on the employees you really want to keep. You’ll have a much better shot at improving the bottom line. We’ve shared Ahlrichs’ truck loader story before but it’s worth repeating as it clearly illustrates what can happen when different parts of the team are using different […]
According to research conducted by Gallup, only 1 in 10 people possess the talent to manage others, and companies fail to choose the right candidate for managerial and leadership roles 82% of the time. This means most organizations still have a long way to go when selecting their leaders and management staff. Gallup also discovered […]
The more perspectives in a room, the greater the chance for innovation. There are many factors that go into creating a strong workforce, and diverse perspectives play a big role. According to Harvard Business Review (HBR), a more diverse team creates a smarter team.
by Amy M. McLaughlin In part one of this article, we discussed the increase in the number of discrimination charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against private-sector employers since 2006. In 2006, the EEOC saw it’s first increase in charge filings in four years. By 2008, the number of discrimination claims filed […]
Why should you worry about employment posters? Two big reasons: 1. It’s the law. Every employer must have the most up-to-date minimum wage and other posters showing. And when the enforcement authorities hit your office, they usually head straight for your posters. It’s a quick and easy way for them to size up your compliance […]
Late last year, software giant Microsoft Corp. was ordered by a federal Court of Appeal to extend retroactive pension and stock purchase benefits-potentially worth millions of dollars-to employees improperly classified as independent contractors. (See CEA November 1996.) But now, the court says it will reconsider its decision-a potentially positive signal for Microsoft. A change in […]
By Brian P. Smeenk How can you protect yourself from arbitrators’ ever-increasing damages awards, based on ever-expanding grounds? In the April 25 Northern Exposure entry “Canadian Court Trims $500K Dismissal Damages, Upholds Arbitrator’s Broad Authority,” we reported on the latest notable example of a Canadian labor arbitrator’s expansive award being upheld by the courts. That […]
March 16 through 22 is National Poison Prevention Week, so this is a good time to retrain on poison prevention precautions. Check with the safety data sheet (SDS) and your supervisor for the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to use, which may include: Gloves Safety goggles or glasses Protective suits or other clothing Protective boots […]