Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Group Publisher of Employment Law at M. Lee Smith Tony Kessler reviews Tommy Spaulding’s book It’s Not Just Who You Know, finding the author offers an insightful look into the five different levels of relationships. Thanks to Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, blogs, and Skype, most of us have cyber-lists filled to the brim with friends these […]
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review what has been called the largest employment class action in U.S. history — Wal-Mart Stores v. Dukes. The class of plaintiffs is estimated to include approximately 1.5 million former and current female Wal-Mart employees seeking monetary relief that could amount to billions of dollars in back pay. […]
A recent U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) settlement serves as a reminder for employers with tipped employees: you cannot require workers to share tips with nontipped staff. Doing so can leave an employer liable not only for the misappropriated tips, but also—because of a provision in the law—for back minimum wage and overtime payments that […]
Resources for Humans editor Celeste Blackburn reviews Minding the Store: Great Writing about Business from Tolstoy to Now, edited by Robert Coles and Albert LaFarge. While those looking for straightforward business insights will be disappointed, literature lovers should appreciate the business lessons that can be learned from great literature. Whether you are a member of […]
While the unemployment rate continues to remain at its lowest levels in decades, veterans are still extremely underemployed, meaning that they’re not applying for or acquiring jobs that truly meet their experiences, strengths, skill sets, and capabilities. As a result, around 44% of returning vets find themselves leaving their first civilian jobs within a year. And many employers remain […]
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has set two days of meetings in April to hear opinions on proposed changes to rules governing union representation elections. The NLRB will meet for April 10-11 at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., to allow members of the public to present their views on what probusiness interests have labeled […]
When it comes to electronic surveillance of employees, as the TV ad says, “Just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should.” Most companies now have the means to conduct electronic surveillance of their employees’ at work, since so much that employees do passes through company computer networks. But should you peek? Susan Heathfield, […]
Employers must make accommodations to allow employees with disabilities to participate in their wellness programs, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said in a recently released informal discussion letter. The letter was written in response to an employer’s question about a special program for employees with diabetes. The employer wanted to waive its annual health […]
No more lawsuits, faster results, lower judgments—what’s not to like about mandatory arbitration? Not much, but there are issues to consider and pitfalls to avoid, says attorney Sandra Rappaport. Typical employee arbitration agreements require that all work-related disputes between the employer and employee be resolved by impartial arbitrators rather than by jury trial, says Rappaport, […]
A team is missing its production deadlines, and a different cultural interpretation of the word “deadline” is the cause. Two experts offer solutions for fixing the problem. The Problem: Don is production manager in a printing company that produces books for major publishers. Five years ago, the company added binding to its services, and Don […]