Content about HR

May 21, 2013
Managing high-risk employees

Success in workplace violence prevention is equal parts intelligent response and observation, using as many team-based resources as possible, in anticipation of the subject’s potential actions, along with a mixture of intuition, experience and a thorough understanding of people who make threats versus those who pose threats.

A lot gets written about workplace violence, either in the aftermath of an incident or about how to minimize the possibility of such an event. There is talk about the need for more vigilance in the HR and security functions, the need for more policies, more access-control devices and better partnerships with the police. Others focus on anti-bullying campaigns for the workplace and the need for more government directives, safety enhancements and state laws on related workplace crimes.

May 11, 2013
More employers link premiums to wellness

More employers are following the lead of companies such as CVS Caremark, which recently made news by requiring its employees to receive health screenings that include measuring weight, cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure, or face a $50-per-month penalty on their health insurance premiums.

May 9, 2013
Issuing final payments in the workplace

Employers must execute many tasks when employees leave the company by choice or are terminated. One of the most important items to get right is final payments to departing employees.

Employers must execute many tasks when employees leave the company by choice or are terminated. One of the most important items to get right is final payments to departing employees.

 

Be big in small things

May 8, 2013
More states passing social media privacy laws

Utah and New Mexico have joined the growing number of states that prohibit employers from requesting or requiring access to job applicants’ social networking accounts.

Utah and New Mexico have joined the growing number of states that prohibit employers from requesting or requiring access to job applicants’ social networking accounts. In addition, a social media privacy bill has reached New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s desk, and as of mid-April, 2013, measures were pending in several other states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). 

 

May 6, 2013
OSHA: Unions may represent nonunion workplaces during inspections

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released an interpretation letter April 5, 2013, clarifying that nonunion employees can select anyone, including nonemployee union representatives, to accompany OSHA officials during safety inspections of their employer’s worksite.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released an interpretation letter April 5, 2013, clarifying that nonunion employees can select anyone, including nonemployee union representatives, to accompany OSHA officials during safety inspections of their employer’s worksite.

May 1, 2013
Survey: LinkedIn remains most popular site for finding candidates

Organizations are increasingly using social networking sites to recruit job candidates, and many HR professionals use these sites to target passive candidates and those with a specific skill set, according to new research the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) released April 15, 2013.

Organizations are increasingly using social networking sites to recruit job candidates, and many HR professionals use these sites to target passive candidates and those with a specific skill set, according to new research the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) released April 15, 2013.

LinkedIn remains the most popular site for recruiting and screening candidates, followed by Facebook and Twitter, respectively.

April 29, 2013
Navigating the leave-management maze

When an employee requires a period of leave because of a medical issue or disability, the situation is not always straightforward, and the best way to manage it is not always clear. Adding to the confusion is that employers face an ever-changing alphabet soup of federal and state laws and regulations, starting with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

When an employee requires a period of leave because of a medical issue or disability, the situation is not always straightforward, and the best way to manage it is not always clear. Adding to the confusion is that employers face an ever-changing alphabet soup of federal and state laws and regulations, starting with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

April 29, 2013
Navigating the leave-management maze

When an employee requires a period of leave because of a medical issue or disability, the situation is not always straightforward, and the best way to manage it is not always clear. Adding to the confusion is that employers face an ever-changing alphabet soup of federal and state laws and regulations, starting with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

When an employee requires a period of leave because of a medical issue or disability, the situation is not always straightforward, and the best way to manage it is not always clear. Adding to the confusion is that employers face an ever-changing alphabet soup of federal and state laws and regulations, starting with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

April 26, 2013
Retailer fined $40,000 for lack of emergency action plan

The CVS pharmacy in Red Hook, N.Y., was hit with a $40,000 fine because it did not have an emergency action plan for workers to follow if a fire or other emergency were to occur at the store. Similar violations were found in other CVS pharmacies in the past three years.

The CVS pharmacy in Red Hook, N.Y., was hit with a $40,000 fine because it did not have an emergency action plan for workers to follow if a fire or other emergency were to occur at the store. Similar violations were found in other CVS pharmacies in the past three years.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed the fine April 8, 2013, after inspecting the store in response to a complaint.

April 23, 2013
On private health exchange, choice and control drive satisfaction

Data on the use of the first large private health exchange for U.S. employers -- providing an online platform for active employees to purchase employer-subsidized coverage -- reveal that enrollees chose the health plan they felt offered the best value for themselves and their family and that they liked being able to select among multiple carriers.

Data on the use of the first large private health exchange for U.S. employers -- providing an online platform for active employees to purchase employer-subsidized coverage -- reveal that enrollees chose the health plan they felt offered the best value for themselves and their family and that they liked being able to select among multiple carriers.

April 22, 2013
At Hardware Show, big brands welcomed back

The May 7-9 National Hardware Show has almost 700 new exhibitors signed up for the Las Vegas event.

The National Hardware Show has almost 700 new exhibitors signed up for the Las Vegas event to be held May 7-9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Included in the list are some veteran big brands.

“We listened to what attendees and those in the industry wanted, and they wanted the big brands to return to the show,” said Sonya Ruff Jarvis, VP attendee programs with the National Hardware Show. “We’ve brought those brands back, but we’ve also reached out to a number of new exhibitors.”

April 22, 2013
Use social media smartly when hiring

There are so many legal pitfalls to avoid when using social media in the candidate sourcing and screening processes, some employers might wonder whether it’s worth all the trouble.

There are so many legal pitfalls to avoid when using social media in the candidate sourcing and screening processes, some employers might wonder whether it’s worth all the trouble.

The answer is yes -- if it’s done carefully. Social media can significantly expand the universe of applicants and shed valuable light on job candidates -- when a disciplined approach is used, experts say.

April 19, 2013
More jobs likely available for teens this summer

Continued employment gains in lower-skilled, lower-paying hourly wage categories are expected to benefit teenagers seeking jobs this summer, according to a new outlook released April 11, 2013, by global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc.

Continued employment gains in lower-skilled, lower-paying hourly wage categories are expected to benefit teenagers seeking jobs this summer, according to a new outlook released April 11, 2013, by global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc.

Although job-seeking teens are likely to face competition from recent college graduates, as well as from those at the opposite end of the age spectrum, employment gains for 16- to 19-year-olds in May, June and July should surpass last year’s levels, Challenger reports.

April 17, 2013
Survey reveals criminal records aren’t deal-breakers

A majority of employers who responded to a recently released survey are screening candidates in a conscientious manner, auditing providers and educating themselves on legal-compliance issues.

A majority of employers who responded to a recently released survey are screening candidates in a conscientious manner, auditing providers and educating themselves on legal-compliance issues.

April 15, 2013
AEDs in the workplace: Benefit or burden?

Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). And about 10,000 sudden cardiac arrests occur while victims are at work, according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) data.

Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). And about 10,000 sudden cardiac arrests occur while victims are at work, according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) data.

Placing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the workplace, along with providing a proper management system and training for employees on how to use the devices, can mean the difference between life and death, proponents argue. 

April 12, 2013
Complications arise over healthcare choices

The Health and Human Services Department proposes to delay a requirement that offers plan choices to small firms.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule delaying by one year, until 2015, a requirement that government-run health insurance exchanges offer small businesses the opportunity to select among competing plans through health care reform’s Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). HHS cited administrative delays that will prevent the exchanges from meeting the original deadline for including SHOP options.

April 9, 2013
Know your records disposal responsibilities

“The way in which your company disposes of sensitive information can have significant consequences on your business,” said Al Saikali, an attorney and co-chair of Shook Hardy & Bacon’s Data Security and Data Privacy Practice Group, based in Miami.

How does your company dispose of sensitive information?

Are records containing personally identifiable information (such as medical records, financial or background check reports, and employment applications) thrown in the trash? Where do records go from there? Is the trash securely shredded or thrown into an unsecured dumpster? What about sensitive electronic information?

April 8, 2013
Use social media smartly when hiring

There are so many legal pitfalls to avoid when using social media in the job candidate sourcing and screening processes, some HR professionals might wonder whether it’s worth all the trouble.

There are so many legal pitfalls to avoid when using social media in the job candidate sourcing and screening processes, some HR professionals might wonder whether it’s worth all the trouble.

The answer is: Yes -- if done carefully. Social media can expand the universe of applicants significantly and can shed valuable light on job candidates -- when done with discipline, experts say.

April 5, 2013
Mandatory E-Verify central to immigration reform

Employer representatives have testified before a congressional panel that they support the expansion of the federal government’s E-Verify electronic employment verification system, which experts agree will be a central piece of comprehensive immigration reform.

Employer representatives have testified before a congressional panel that they support the expansion of the federal government’s E-Verify electronic employment verification system, which experts agree will be a central piece of comprehensive immigration reform.

April 4, 2013
On private health exchange, choice and control drive satisfaction

Data on the use of the first large private health exchange for U.S. employers -- providing an online platform for active employees to purchase employer-subsidized coverage -- reveal that enrollees chose the health plan they felt offered the best value for themselves and their family and that they liked being able to select among multiple carriers.