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General HR Management

The Worst Types of Resistance to Change That Get in the Way of HR Efforts (and What To Do About Them)

Written on 2 May, 2012 at 23:20

Identifying which type of resistance to change is blocking either a team or an individual is an important first step. ... (Continue reading)

Leadership Development Failure: New Managers Often Left to Sink or Swim, Study Shows

Written on 23 Mar, 2011 at 22:51

According to a recent leadership development study from Development Dimensions International (DDI), many new managers don’t know what it takes to succeed and weren’t ready for the challenges and obstacles that they faced as leaders. Finding the First Rung as New Managers A... (Continue reading)

Book on Rebuilding Trust Sets Example for Employers

Written on 4 Feb, 2011 at 9:36

A new book penned by Dennis and Michelle Reina lays out a guide for employers to rebuild trust in the workplace.... (Continue reading)

10 Reasons Your Employees Hate You (Or at Least Reject You…)

Written on 22 Nov, 2010 at 22:45

Being the boss comes with some great perks- a better bank account, corporate benefits, and a fancier title — but why, before you even hold your first meeting, do you get the sense your employees hate you? Unfortunately, more power... (Continue reading)

Your Employee Handbook–Suggestions and Links for Creating and Updating It

Written on 11 Oct, 2010 at 9:47

Introduction: Should You Have an Employee Handbook? An employee handbook that’s prepared and reviewed thoroughly and properly customized is great. But as with a written employee evaluation–which can either help or hurt your legal position, depending on whether it was... (Continue reading)

Job Applicant Rejection Letter Dos and Donts — Writing an Appropriate “Dear John” Letter to an Unsuccessful Applicant

Written on 31 May, 2009 at 12:53

Back in 2006, we covered the topic of applicant rejection letters in a post linking to an article in Assessment Council News (“Considerations in Rejecting Applicants,” on p.4). Since today’s economy is resulting in more applications — and thus more... (Continue reading)

Tough Job Interview Question: “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?”
Three Tips for Answering This One

Written on 17 Apr, 2009 at 5:00

Why Do Interviewers Ask About My Weaknesses? No interviewer expects “brutally honest answers like,’I'm below-average intelligence and difficult to work with,’” says a hiring expert quoted by the Washington Post. So why do they ask this tough job interview question?... (Continue reading)

Online Job Search and Recruitment Part I: The Classifieds Have Gone Electric!

Written on 19 Mar, 2009 at 6:00

From Job Boards to Recruiters’ Sites, the Internet is the Place to Go For Job Opportunities Anyone who has been searching for a job recently (in other words, a lot of us) are well aware that job searches don’t mean... (Continue reading)

[AIG Bonus] Contracts Are Made To Be Broken — Or Are They?

Written on 18 Mar, 2009 at 6:00

“I expect you to be honest, hard working, and treat the company as if you own it.” – C.V. Starr “AIG’s ongoing efforts to be an outstanding corporate citizen and promote responsible and sustainable business practices are essential to our... (Continue reading)

Cutting Costs Without Layoffs? 14 Tips for Employers Seeking Alternatives to Pink Slips

Written on 17 Mar, 2009 at 11:00

News of layoffs has been rampant since our economy began lagging in 2007. Recently, it seems impossible to turn on the news without hearing about more people losing their jobs. After all — the country is in a recession, businesses... (Continue reading)

Survey Documents Impact of Recession on Employee Health and Integrity

Written on 4 Mar, 2009 at 17:02

The most recent “American Workplace Insights” survey from Adecco Group North America gives great insight into the state of mind of America’s workforce. The stresses and strains of the current economic situation have caused many Americans to consider unethical conduct... (Continue reading)

Charming the Stimulus Act COBRA:
New COBRA Rights and Employer Obligations

Written on 26 Feb, 2009 at 16:47

A federal subsidy of continued health coverage under COBRA is one of the main “ease-the-pain” provisions of the Stimulus Act enacted Tuesday, February 17, 2009 (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009). This provision is intended to keep... (Continue reading)

Overtime Pay, the FLSA & “Time Theft” — Part I (Introduction and White-Collar Exemptions)

Written on 14 Jan, 2009 at 5:00

Who “owns” an employee’s time? Are you stealing from your employer if you take a personal call at work? What about if you check your personal email, or take some time to send out resumes? Does it matter whether you’re... (Continue reading)

HR Metrics and Strategic Human Resources Planning

Written on 12 Dec, 2008 at 6:00

Human Capital — Truly Your Company’s Greatest Asset In this economy, measuring your bottom line or your company’s success on Wall Street isn’t enough. Instead, says Denise Kingsmill, deputy chair of the United Kingdom’s Monopolies and Mergers Commission, “Directors need... (Continue reading)

How To Provide Reasonable Accommodations Under the ADA For Individuals With Hearing Impairments

Written on 10 Dec, 2008 at 5:00

With the recent passage of the Americans With Disabilities Amendment Act (ADAAA), employers are turning their attention to changes in the Act and how those changes might impact their business. Fortunately, resources to help you are readily at hand. In... (Continue reading)

Despite Economy, Small Businesses Plan Holiday Parties

Written on 5 Dec, 2008 at 6:00

Most Small Business Owners Can Afford Holiday Celebrations According to a survey conducted this month by online payroll service SurePayroll, most small business owners will end 2008 in celebration. The survey found that despite recent economic challenges, 6 of 10... (Continue reading)

Layoff Survivor — What’s Your Plan?

Written on 3 Dec, 2008 at 10:13

After the Layoffs, the Intra-Company Depression Lower productivity. An atmosphere of guilt, anxiety, and anger. The air filled with gossip. A breakdown of relationships and teamwork. This isn’t exactly the scenario you need to see in your company during an... (Continue reading)

Is Workplace Bullying Cause for Concern?

Written on 10 Nov, 2008 at 16:01

When Bullies Grow Up What happens to playground bullies who grow up to be workplace bullies? And what happens to the companies where they work? This is the focus of an article entitled “Workplace Bullying Suits on the Horizon.” Successful... (Continue reading)

Do’s and Don’ts of Hiring an Independent Contractor

Written on 3 Oct, 2008 at 0:12

Independent Contractor Agreements – A Match Made in Heaven? Today’s employers are watching their bottom line more closely than ever before, including examining the costs associated with maintaining a full time workforce. At the same time, workers are looking for... (Continue reading)

Halloween in the Workplace? It Depends…

Written on 1 Oct, 2008 at 11:05

Halloween Will Soon Be Upon Us — Are You Prepared? In addition to personally getting ready for Trick or Treating or costume parties with friends, a 2007 Halloween-practices survey by vault.com found that employees at an increasing number of companies... (Continue reading)

Retail Scheduling Software Could Harm Employee Morale, As Well As Customer Service

Written on 18 Sep, 2008 at 18:45

The Way It Used To Be Twice each year my mother would make her regular pilgrimage to the old B. Siegel’s store select her seasonal professional attire. It was always a leisurely, enjoyable experience – one that newly-introduced employee scheduling... (Continue reading)

Bulletproofing Employment Investigations

Written on 28 Jul, 2008 at 7:00

This post on workplace investigations that hold up to scrutiny emphasizes the importance of vertical and horizontal consistency and reasonableness in the investigation of allegations of workplace misconduct, such as harassment.... (Continue reading)

Talent Management — Roles of Lawyers & HR Pros

Written on 29 Jun, 2008 at 20:42

I originally wrote this a few years ago, but never published it. It seems as timely today as then. It's a reflection on the differing perspectives and roles of management, HR, and legal counsel as businesses focus more... (Continue reading)

Employee Survey Use & Design

Written on 18 Mar, 2008 at 14:38

Today, online employee surveys are becoming more common than old-fashioned pencil-and-paper questionnaires, a trend that is increasing employee participation rates, adding significantly to the accuracy and meaningfulness of survey results. Regardless of the format, if used properly, they can be... (Continue reading)

Love in the Workplace: Dreamy or Dangerous?

Written on 14 Feb, 2008 at 1:28

In this special guest post, Cynthia Shapiro, career expert and best selling author, says that, contrary to conventional wisdom, you CAN have an office romance without hurting your career if you know (and heed) a few “insider secrets.” He’s got... (Continue reading)