Tag: Policies

HR CSI: When Should You Investigate?

The first flaw in investigations is that they often don’t take place, says attorney Jonathan Segal. Today, he offers a clear list of circumstances that demand an investigation. In tomorrow’s issue, he’ll tell you when you might not want to investigate. Segal, a partner in the Philadelphia office of the WolfBlock law firm, offered his […]

Are Your Policies Compliant with New FMLA Regulations?

by Mike Maslanka The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) has been revised, and the regulations went into effect in January 2009. Time for a checkup of your company’s policies. Employers need to ask themselves the following questions: HR Guide to Employment Law: A practical compliance reference manual covering 14 topics, including hiring 1. Have […]

Final Warnings—Be Careful or They’ll Backfire

In yesterday’s Advisor, attorney Jonathan Segal offered cogent tips on documenting discipline. Today we’ll review his tips on final warnings and accommodations, plus a new training program for your supervisors and managers. Segal is a partner with the Wolf Block law firm in Philadelphia. His tips appeared in our sister publication HR Manager’s Legal Reporter. […]

Poor Documentation Dooms Employers’ Defense

Failure to carefully document discipline remains one of the biggest legal problems that employers face, says attorney Jonathan Segal. Lawsuits that should never have been brought appear on your desk, and lawsuits that should have been dismissed become hard to fight. Segal is a partner with the Wolf Block law firm in Philadelphia. His tips […]

How to Grease the Skids for Your Employee’s Attorney

In yesterday’s Advisor, Whitney Warner shared secrets of winning lawsuits against employers. Today, more of her tips, and a policy system that’s designed to keep her and her ilk at bay. Warner is a partner with Moody & Warner, P.C., in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her remarks came at the recent Society for Human Resource Management […]

A Peek into Enemy Camp—Plaintiff’s Lawyer Spills Secrets

“When a case begins,” says plaintiff’s lawyer Whitney Warner, “I wonder if the employer will do something dumb and fall into my hands. And they usually do make my day.” Warner is a partner with Moody & Warner, P.C., in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her tips for fending off lawsuits came at the recent Society for […]

Appraisals—Lots of Work, Any Benefit?

Appraisers and appraisees alike complain about performance evaluations. They’re a lot of work; they generate a lot of discomfort; and they don’t always produce a clear benefit. In today’s issue, step-by-step recommendations from BLR’s editors. 1. Get the Employee Started. Set a meeting date, and give the employee his or her self-appraisal materials well ahead […]

Automated Appraisal System Boosts Employee Engagement

Employee engagement is one of today’s hot HR topics. Schawk, Inc., found that its automated appraisal and evaluation system has dramatically improved both communication and employee engagement. That’s the word from Jennifer Erfurth, global vice president of HR at Schawk, Inc., a provider of knowledge-based brand image management solutions. Her comments appeared in BLR’s Best […]

Jerks at Work II—Don’t Tolerate Them

Yesterday’s Advisor featured Janove’s “jerks at work” tips. Today, more on managing jerks, and an introduction to a training program that might just stop your jerks in their tracks. Some of the trickiest territory for supervisors is dealing with whistleblower jerks and jerks with disabilities, says attorney Jathan Janove. He offered a few cases where […]

Jerks at Work—You Can Deal with Them

What do you do with jerks at work, especially when they claim protection as whistleblowers or as members of protected classes? There are steps you can take, says attorney Jathan Janove. In fact, you can discipline and ultimately, if necessary, terminate your jerks, says Janove, a partner in the Portland, Oregon, office of Ater Wynne […]