Home  »  Archives

Author Archive

Read All About It: Michael Harris Starts A New Blog Devoted to HR

Written on 11 Jul, 2006 at 21:14

After more than 2 years working with George, I, Michael Harris have decided to start a new blog. My new blog (tentative name: EASI-HR) is affiliated with the consulting firm (EASI Consult LLC) I work with (blog.easiconsult.org). The topics I... (Continue reading)

News Flash: Ken Lay Dead

Written on 5 Jul, 2006 at 12:25

In a rather surprising development, which has little or nothing to do with HR, I just noticed that Ken Lay has died. Ken Lay, 64, was founder and CEO of Enron, and was awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of... (Continue reading)

Even More On FedEx’s Use of the BST Testing: Is It Really Valid?

Written on 4 Jul, 2006 at 11:58

Since my posting on the EEOC’s investigation of FedEx’s use of an employment test, I have continued to find some more interesting information on FedEx’s use of an employment test. This time, the information comes from a lawsuit against FedEx,... (Continue reading)

Follow-Up to EEOC’s Investigation of FedEx’s Employment Testing

Written on 3 Jul, 2006 at 10:36

Recently, I posted a story about EEOC investigating FedEx’s use of a test for a number of positions throughout the U.S. EEOC has apparently raised concerns that this test battery has a disparate impact on minorities. Since that posting, I... (Continue reading)

Study Reveals the Best Corporate Career Sites

Written on 2 Jul, 2006 at 12:42

Gerry Crispin and Mark Mehler of CareerXroads examined the corporate career sites of the Fortune 500 and found the 25 companies that seem to do the best job, in what is soon to become part of a larger paper. Included... (Continue reading)

Friday Humor: Why Do Consultants Charge So Much?

Written on 30 Jun, 2006 at 6:31

Yesterday, I posted information about salary surveys. Today, we ask why some animals are worth more than others. This is Friday humor. Check it out next: Related Reading: Masterpieces of American Wit and Humor Mathematics and Humor: A Study of... (Continue reading)

Underpaid? Overpaid? Try This Website for Lots of Pay Surveys

Written on 29 Jun, 2006 at 8:22

Whether you are job hunting and need to determine what the proper pay is for a job, or whether you are happily employed, most people like to make sure that they are being properly paid (OK, at least paid comparably... (Continue reading)

Staying Current in HR: Check Out These (Mostly) Free Webinars!

Written on 28 Jun, 2006 at 10:50

Want to keep up with the field of HR? Thanks to webinar capability, you can learn a lot, and many of these webinars are free! Where can you find these webinars listed? One great place is: Related Reading: How to... (Continue reading)

Not Attending SHRM Conference in D.C.? Here’s One Person’s Reactions to the Exhibition Booths

Written on 27 Jun, 2006 at 21:42

Here are some selected comments from cheezhead about the SHRM Conference going on in D.C.; take them for what they are worth: It’s pretty wet in D.C.; Background checks are big business. Related Reading: Lab Manual for General, Organic, and... (Continue reading)

Working Virtually: Team Work in an E-World

Written on 27 Jun, 2006 at 8:57

More and more frequently, people work in virtual teams, with team members spread around the world. How does a team leader build a virtual structure? That is the topic of a recent article, which contains some interesting suggestions for how... (Continue reading)

Fundamentals of Being a Good Trainer/Presenter

Written on 26 Jun, 2006 at 8:31

I’m always on the prowl for new insights into workplace training/presenting. Who isn’t? One can always improve on one’s training and presenting skills. Recently, I found a blog that listed the 10 attributes of an effective trainer. I like what... (Continue reading)

Friday Humor: Describing My Work History

Written on 22 Jun, 2006 at 19:22

Well, it is just about Friday, so its time for……………Friday Humor! This humor concerns work history and why the author changed jobs so often…..it is fairly funny and maybe will even force a smile on your face. If it doesn’t... (Continue reading)

When Bullying Becomes A Case of Sexual Harassment

Written on 21 Jun, 2006 at 22:33

Don’t get too comfortable too quickly when there is bullying in your workplace. I’ve often gotten the impression that companies can relax when the bully doesn’t appear to be intending to discriminate against women (or men for that matter). What... (Continue reading)

Determining An Employer’s Talent Management Philosophy: Turning the Tables On Some Good Questions

Written on 21 Jun, 2006 at 16:10

Kevin Wheeler, who has some interesting things to say about recruitment in ERE.net, had a nice article today geared toward companies, focusing on how they can determine their “employee philosophy” (I call it talent management philosophy, but that is a... (Continue reading)

Niche Job Boards and Craigslist.com: Sneakin’ Up On All of Us

Written on 20 Jun, 2006 at 17:17

As you probably know, there are lots and lots of job boards, niche job boards, and all kinds of tools for Internet recruitment/job search. One of the more interesting niche job boards is called craigslist.com. Related Reading: "Headhunter" Hiring Secrets:... (Continue reading)

One Part Las Vegas Plus One Part Videogame=Motivated Employees!

Written on 19 Jun, 2006 at 19:10

Monday’s (June 19, 2006) Wall Street Journal ran a story on the latest in employee incentives — a kind of incentive/Las-Vegas type of game, which enables employees to win prizes of all kinds. The game, named Snowfly, is according to... (Continue reading)

OFCCP Publishes Final Standards for Analysis of Systemic Compensation Discrimination

Written on 18 Jun, 2006 at 21:13

It may seem like a long time ago, but we made a posting back in November, 2004, regarding OFCCP’s proposed standards for analysis of Systemic Compensation Discrimination. As of June 16, 2006, OFCCP has posted its final standards for analysis... (Continue reading)

Welcome Back: George Should Be Back Now

Written on 16 Jun, 2006 at 7:49

We are all waiting impatiently for George and his interesting postings. He may have a lot to say about his trip to Europe. Let’s hope he has some photos, too. Welcome back, George! Related Reading: Lab Manual for General, Organic,... (Continue reading)

Friday Humor: The Job Application As a Screening Tool

Written on 15 Jun, 2006 at 7:36

Do you like the Drabble cartoons? I, Michael Harris, think they are actually rather funny. This particular cartoon is particularly relevant to our blog on HR issues. Enjoy it; it can be found Related Reading: Lab Manual for General, Organic,... (Continue reading)

Does Your State Let You Look At Your Personnel File?

Written on 15 Jun, 2006 at 7:31

If you are a Federal employee, the Privacy Act of 1974 gives you various rights to your personnel records. If you are a private-sector employee, you have limited rights to view your personnel records. Most of your rights, to the... (Continue reading)

So You Want to Start Your Own Business? Take a Test of Your Entrepreneurship Knowledge

Written on 13 Jun, 2006 at 8:48

Who hasn’t wanted to one day start their own business? Many people are doing just that these days, given the uncertainty surrounding companies. Wouldn’t your rather be in charge of your own destiny, rather than relying on other people? This... (Continue reading)

E-Mail Terminations On the Rise

Written on 11 Jun, 2006 at 20:12

Companies are increasingly enforcing their e-mail policies and experts say there are good reasons for doing this. According to a recent article, a relatively large number of companies have either terminated or disciplined an employee for e-mail policy violations in... (Continue reading)

Posh Hotel Settles English-Only Lawsuit

Written on 9 Jun, 2006 at 14:18

In a recent lawsuit, a posh hotel (it doesn’t say which one) has agreed to settle a lawsuit in which 13 Hispanic workers were forced out from their jobs for speaking Spanish while at work. The agreement includes some interesting... (Continue reading)

Interesting, but Irrelevant Facts, For Friday

Written on 9 Jun, 2006 at 14:02

This collection of interesting, but irrelevant facts, is certainly offbeat. I suppose these facts are really true, but I have not looked them up. Anyhow, try these out: Related Reading: The 50 Funniest American Writers*: An Anthology of Humor from... (Continue reading)

EEOC Investigates Potential Nationwide Test Discrimination At FedEx

Written on 7 Jun, 2006 at 16:47

In a recent press release, EEOC announced some interesting turns in an investigation of FedEx’s promotion policies. One interesting turn involves the refusal by FedEx to comply with a subpoena to provide files and therefore EEOC has asked the U.S.... (Continue reading)