Tag: Policies

PEDs: Exit Ramp for Your Confidential Data?

PEDs (portable electronic devices) may truly be productivity boosters (although managers watching employees texting, Twittering, and gaming may not be so sure). But they are also potential carriers of critical information about customers, employees, and the company itself. Yesterday’s Advisor covered 10 policy issues surrounding PEDs. ( Go here to see them.) Today, we continue […]

PEDs, iPhones, Payroll, Piracy—Perfect Storm?

PEDs—portable electronic devices such as laptops, PDAs, pocket drives, and memory cards—are in your office by the dozens. Are they putting confidential data at risk? Generating unexpected overtime? Destroying productivity? It’s time for a separate PED policy. First, courtesy of our sister newsletter, the Safety Daily Advisor, let’s consider the various laws that relate to […]

Are your Greeters Ready to Deal with a Violent Visitor?

In yesterday’s Advisor, expert Dennis A. Davis shared the first three components of successful anti-violence programs. Today we’ll cover three more, and we’ll look at a wellness program that will aid your violence prevention efforts. Davis, director of client training for Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Steward, P.C. in Vista, California, delivered his comments at […]

Workplace Violence Is Not Beyond Your Control

Because most people follow the rules, and because most violent people give ample signs before they act, employers can be successful at preventing workplace violence, says expert Dennis A. Davis, Ph.D. Davis, director of client training for Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Steward, P.C. in Vista, California, delivered his comments at the recent SHRM Employment […]

Our Telecommuters Are at Work—Or Are They?

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, […]

Ban Cell Phones While Driving? Could Backfire

Yesterday’s Advisor looked at a tragic—but all too frequent—case of an employee using a cell phone while driving and causing an accident with serious injuries. The employer settled for millions of dollars. Today we look at how an appropriate policy can reduce that liability. Wouldn’t a ban on cell phone use while driving be a […]

Cell Phones in Cars—Employees Crash, Company Burns

More and more often, accident victims are suing the employers when employees cause accidents while talking on cell phones. Today we look at a classic case—and what it means for your organization. (The following scenario, courtesy of our sister newsletter, the Safety Daily Advisor, is based on a real case.) Valerie Walker used her car […]

Does Your Wellness Program Need a Checkup?

A majority of Americans agree that lifestyle choices such as smoking and exercising directly affect the cost of their health care, yet 44 percent do not think they should have to pay for health care. What gives? A recent survey revealed that employees do see a connection between their behavior and their health, and they […]

Innovative Wellness Program Wins HR Best Practices Award

An “impressive array of medical, fitness, employee assistance, wellness, and work/life options” garnered the Prudential Financial Companies a prestigious HR Best Practices Award from the New Jersey affiliate of SHRM. Here’s how they managed it. Wellness: From Asthma to Weight Loss K. Andrew Crighton, vice president and chief medical officer for Prudential Financial Companies, shared […]

Please Don’t Investigate? You May Want to Agree

When an employee makes a complaint, conventional wisdom says that you have to investigate even when requested not to, says attorney Jonathan Segal. While that’s correct for most cases, recognize that there may also be some risks in investigating. Segal offered his tips at a recent SHRM conference. Segal is a partner in the Philadelphia […]