Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Contrary to popular belief, work-life balance and work flexibility issues aren’t primarily women’s issues. In fact, for certain benefits, it is men who use them more frequently and are more likely to say that their work is interrupted for personal or family reasons, according to results of a new survey.
Government efforts to bring 403(b) retirement plans up to regulatory par with 401(k) plans has resulted in a rough transition for 403(b) plan sponsors, and in recognition of that fact, an ERISA advisory council gave the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) five recommendations to help ease the compliance burden. Background Over the years, many 403(b) […]
As the nation’s military continues its downsizing phase and unemployment statistics for veterans remain significant, attention is turning to efforts intended to help veterans find jobs. Civilian employers have been focusing on ways to recruit former service members, and more than a handful of states have passed laws in recent months to allow employers to […]
by Jesse Goldstein The White House and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently released their proposed budgets for fiscal year (FY) 2010. Both budgets contain discussions of immigration-related priorities, offering a glimpse of what the new administration may choose to pursue this year. Even though he is obviously facing several domestic economic challenges, […]
Some of the dangers you face at work can follow you home … if you don’t take certain precautions. Hazardous “hitchhikers” can endanger the health of small children and other family members in your home. Yesterday, we listed hazardous chemical agents that can inadvertently come home with you. Here are more. Hazardous Biological Agents Chemicals […]
When an employee initiates a complaint to HR of unfair treatment or sexual harassment, the best thing to do is to move immediately to start an investigation. Choose an objective, outside investigator, attorney, or HR professional to conduct the investigation. Prepare a summary statement of the complaint that the interviewee agrees with and signs. Interview […]
Telecommuting allows employees to work part or all of their standard workweek from a remote location, “seamlessly commuting” by e-mail, cell phones, and virtual private networks. (Editor’s note: It’s not always “seamless.”) Telecommuting has evolved from being a convenience to a business strategy to a business necessity. With the high cost of commuting for employees, […]
by Sarah McAdams The average office worker in America uses about 500 disposable cups every year, according to the Clean Air Council. If 10 million of them used their own mugs, it would eliminate about 312,500 miles of trash every year. Launching a “green coffee” program at your company can be as simple as changing […]
by Bryan R. Cokeley The following article provides an overview of how the law might change in the near future based on three issues that employers across the country have been grappling with. 1. Ban-the-box legislation The United States incarcerates a larger percentage of its population than any other industrialized country. Consequently, our correctional facilities […]
Self-funded companies can do a lot to improve employee health through wellness programs and creating “micro health delivery systems” (my term) with goals tailored to the firm’s employee population. The catch may be that only employers that are very large, very innovative and want to get very involved in health care may be able do […]