Cheer Leaders Inspire Others Effective leaders understand the power of sincere appreciation. Jim Clemmer shares more.
Myth of the Jerk BossMany managers think there is a fine line between being stern and being a jerk. Little do they know, it's the weak who draw the criticism. Bruce Tulgan explains.
Surviving the Current EconomyTips for Employers
Joan Lloyd's HR Words of Advice: When the Economy Tanks It’s Time to ShineWhen the economy gets shaky, smart employees step up their performances. Joan Lloyd shares more.
Hiring Sitution Not What You Thought: 68% Predict Normal Hiring Will Return by Q3New 2009 Survey results show that the hiring freeze may not be as fierce as first believed.
Global Economic Recession, Lay-off’s and its Impact on You – Survival of the FittestMost of the countries all over the world are going through this phase of economic recession. Many old and big companies have already been brought down on their knees to bite the dust. Many companies as well as countries have become bankrupt or are on the verge of it. Millions and millions of people have lost their jobs. Many people have lost millions and billions of dollars. People in general are scared and fearsome. This is not the first time that the global economy is going through recession and this is also not the last time. There is a pattern involved in it. On an average it is happening after every 8-10 years. This article is an attempt to highlight some of the issues involved and some of the possible solutions.
Supreme Court Upholds the Primacy of ERISA Plan Documents over Divorcee’s Waiver of Pension BenefitsIn a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has held that under ERISA, plan administrators must distribute plan assets in accordance with the terms of lawful plan documents without regard to a waiver of benefits contained in a divorce decree. In Kennedy v. Plan Administrator for DuPont Savings & Investment Plan, the plan administrator distributed the proceeds from a savings plan to a deceased employees ex-wife who was listed as the beneficiary on the plan documents despite the fact that she had earlier waived all rights to the benefits in a divorce decree. Littler Mendelson shares more.
Bridging the COBRA Gap When Layoffs LoomHR departments coping with the fallout of layoffs should make sure departing employees are aware of temporary medical coverage that is available to them. Samuel H. Fleet investigates.
Leading by Example: Setting Personal Goals and PrioritiesHow do you measure importance? By the number of emails? By the crazy hours you work? What importance do you place on goal setting? Jim Clemmer shares his advice on how to lead by example.
how you 'show up' mattersThe worst of times demand the best of leaders. Senn Delaney Chairman Dr. Larry Senn offers some principles that will improve the ability of leaders to keep their companies financially and emotionally healthy.
The Secret to a Happy Life is More Love Than CareerA recent survey conducted by SnagAjob.com reveals 75% of Americans value a successful relationship over a career. What's more, 66% say they are okay with sacrificing their own career for a significant other.
USCIS Issues Interim Final Rule on I-9 Employment VerificationThe USCIS has submitted an interim final rule that revises Form I-9 and the list of documents that are acceptable to prove identity and employment authorization. Employers will be given a 45-day grace period to begin using the new form. Failing to do so may result in fines. Littler Mendelson shares more.
Training Programs on the Chopping BlockTraining programs are often the first victim of cutbacks. That includes safety training. As Jeff Dickey-Chasins explains, cutting safety training is not always the best decision.
Should You Outsource HR?Is outsourcing HR functions cost effective? Should something that enhances the core competencies of an organization be outsourced? Don Phin shares more.
Recession-Wary Employers Seek Better Ways to Find Star Job Performers in a Flood of ResumesAlthough staff reductions are expected by most employers, 76 percent of recruiters agree that the recession is an opportunity to bring in higher quality job candidates, according to a new Jobfox poll.
The Best Companies Hire the Best PeopleWhat is the ROI of your hires? Do you calculate the quality of your hires the same way you do your other business investments? Marjorie Slater explains.
Great Expectations: Building the Employee Recognition Program Your CEO WantsDespite the challenging times, a strategically executed employee recognition program costs little but reaps great rewards. Derek Irvine explains.
Leadership Track Record Can Help Differentiate Laid-Off Managers and Executives From CompetitionManagers who are looking for jobs need to take a more focused approach to the job market.
The Power of a Thriving to Win MindsetExecutive leaders who play offense are more likely to navigate their companies through challenging times and come out ahead as the economy turns around. I call this approach “thriving to win,” rather than “managing to survive.”
President Obama Signs Legislation Extending Time For Employees To File Discrimination ClaimsPresident Barrack Obama has made amendments to the federal employment discrimination laws in the United States. Timothy Keegan and Denise Brucker share more.
Managing Email Risks - Guidelines for the Human Resources ManagerIf your company is potentially at risk every time an employee sends an Email, what steps can you take to mitigate that risk? Tom Politowski has some answers.
Playing By the Numbers—Reducing the Costs of Leadership FailureThe cost of leadership failure extends beyond severance payments. Nat Stoddard and Claire Wyckoff explain.
The Real Problems and Challenges for Health Reform: A Post-Election PerspectiveThe economic crisis nudged out what was thought to be a common concern in the United States election: Health Care Reform. Jeff Bauer explains the Post-Election look at health care in the United States.
Retention InterviewsTrying to find the reasons why an employee quit after he has left is too late. K. R. Ramakrishnan explains.
With All These Displaced People in the Job Market, Why Does it Continue to be so Difficult to Hire? You'd think that hiring top talent would be easy with the amount of job losses worldwide... think again. Vikki Pachera investigates.
Be RepetitiousRepetition drives retention. Dianna Booher explains.
Today’s Businesses Need “Gladiator” LeadersThe time is right for a more heroic style of leadership. Do you have a gladiator in you? Greg Smith explains more.
Lead, Follow, or WallowLeadership is an action, not a position. Jim Clemmer explains.
How Green is Your Software Solution?SaaS solutions are much greener than hosting your data on a local server, says Curt Finch. He explains more.
Preparing for the TurnaroundThe basics on what to do in a down economy and ways to get ready for the upswing
Top Five Mistakes Leaders Make in These Troubled TimesWise guidance from a business consultant and leadership expert who offers alternative action to the top five mistakes leaders made during difficult times.
Coached Employees Want Most to be ChallengedWhat do employees want most from coaches... challenges. BlessingWhite shares its recent study.
Management In Real Life: Everyone But Me"When you come across a new leadership theory or practice, explore its inherent principles," says Kevin Herring. He shares more.
Recession-Proof Your CompanyOften the first thing to happen in economic downturn is to cut the headcount. This more than anything should tell you a key relationship exists between business profitability and staff count. It is not difficult to swap out the appraisal and performance interview for the exit interview.
NY Makes Employers Post and Disclose Laws Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Criminal ConvictionsBeginning February 1, 2009, New York employers must add to their workplace postings and provide information to applicants and employees information regarding the state’s law and regulations limiting how criminal convictions may be considered in employment decisions. Littler Mendelson shares more.
Long Haired Freaky People Need Not ApplyWhich workplace grooming standards can employers legally implement? Pepper Hamilton LLP explains more.
Joan Lloyd’s HR Words of Advice: Helping a Friend With a ResumeYou lend a friend a hand and next thing you know you have a double! What do you do when your style is duplicated? Joan Lloyd shares her advice.
Leave ManagementDon Phin shares information and tips on a recent California medical leave case that involved a woman and her disability.
Top Ten Things to Do If Your 401(k) Plan Fails Nondiscrimination Testing401(k) plan sponsors generally do not relish the annual call from their 401(k) consultant with their plan's nondiscrimination testing results. If your plan regularly passes testing, that's great news. However, if you are not so fortunate or your plan is on the cusp, there are steps you can take to greatly increase your plan's chances of success. This article discusses those choices. (Note: article requires one-time registration on TRI-AD's Web site).
Visit http://www.tri-ad.com/library?ID=10692 for complete article.
How to Deal With the Constant Stress of a Battered EconomyEight out of ten Americans say they are stressed about money and the economy. Dr. John Schinnerer shares tips on how to handle the stress.
How to Coach Your Boss"At the core of every toxic working environment is the toxic boss," says Keith Rosen. He shares his advice on how to coach the toxic boss.
The Engagement Dilemma: An Investment or a Cost?One-in-Five Workers Plan to Change Jobs in 2009Despite slower hiring rates predicted for 2009, some workers are saying they intend to leave their current job in search of a new one.
Attracting Top Talent: Do You Have What It Takes?Today's employees are attracted by a hiring package with both extrinsic (pay and benefits) and intrinsic (motivation, training opportunities, etc.) elements. But does your organization have the right mix?
What HR Professionals Need to Know About Social Media Searches (When Vetting Potential Candidates)Social media searches can be beneficial to any organization. But should they be used when making hiring decisions? Joshua Levy shares some answers.
Salary Talk During the Job InterviewCan your interviewer afford you? Carole Martin shares ways to answer the salary questions during an interview.
Hiring Practices During a RecessionHiring practices don't often change during a recession. But, companies are more careful in evaluating the need for more staff. Juan Morales explains.
Leadership Story: You Need to Get It StraightAre you getting down to basics with your leadership skills? Are you promoting dramatics instead? Jim Loehr explains more.
Responding to Employees Who Push BackManagers facing resistance from employees may want to listen to how their requests sound. Bruce Tulgan explains.
Access to Latest Technology Key to Keeping Workers Creative and ProductiveAlmost 40% of American workers would consider switching jobs to an employer with greater commitment to workplace technology, according to a study by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.
Most Brand Management is Misguided and Makes Things WorseMost organizations are not investing in improving the companies' effectiveness. Jim Clemmer explains more.
Downsizing: 7 Steps to Help Employees CopeLayoffs affect more than those who have been let go. It's up to the HR department to make sure everything goes smoothly even those who are left behind. M. Lee Smith Publishers shares this article from Carol A. Hacker.
Cutting Costs with a Scalpel, Not a ChainsawIt's a tough economy and one that is going to continue to cause layoffs and cuts to projects. But as Curt Finch explains, the cuts can be avoided.
Salary Increase Budgets 2009: Financial Crisis EditionThe continuing negative economic growth forecasted well into 2009 is having an impact on compensation decisions in real-time. About a quarter of our matched case sample of companies report
change in their salary budgets since the last survey in April/May 2008 — with the clear trend being downward. The Conference Board shares their results.
US Employees Earn Least Amount of SeveranceEmployees laid off in the United States earn the least amount of severance pay worldwide, according to a recent study by Right Management.
Indian Spices, Legumes, and Employee WellnessEmployees with unhealthy habits have higher medical costs. In the current economic crunch, HR needs to find creative and cost-effective ways to solve this problem. Alamelu Vairavan explains how.
Help Your Bottom Line by Retaining Hourly WorkersEven within the hourly workforce, turnover comes at a significant expense to employers. Shawn Boyer explains how to retain your hourly workers.
Retirees Win Right to Sue for Fund MismanagementIn a major ruling, the First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that employees who retire and receive lump-sum distributions from their company's defined-contribution plan, such as a 401(k), have the right to sue the administrators of the plan if they don't believe their moneys were managed wisely. M. Lee Smith Publishers shares more.
Business AcumenBusiness Acumen: What is it and how do I get it? Silvia Johnson explains.
HIRE FOR WHO THEY ARE NOT ONLY WHAT THEY KNOWWhether you're hiring a web designer, or a high-level executive, it is essential to look well beyond experience and expertise. Your new hire needs to be the right person at the right time to do the right job for the right reasons.
Dr. Rhoberta Shaler, psychologist, coach & consultant, is an expert teambuilder. In this article, you'll find the how's, why's and what-to-do's to avoid hiring errors and to use best practices to find the right person. You cannot afford not to read this article. It will save you time, energy and money!
Hitting the Ground RunningA recent survey shows new Financial Managers are finding increasing productivity and building rapport with staff are their top challenges.
The Art (or not) of Blamestorming When the pressure is on, the blame game starts for some employees. How do you handle the art of blamestorming? Bryn Meredith has some answers.
Candy Canes in Your Pen BowlHomemade paper snowflakes, pre-Thanksgiving holiday lights and carol-singing stuffed animals decorate your co-worker's office. While this person may have gone a bit overboard, they are clearly taking responsibility for creating their own happy work environment, and as "Candy Canes in Your Pen Bowl" explains, it wouldn't hurt you to do the same.
Training: To Be or Not To Be?In business, there is little debate about the importance for companies to invest in their people by offering training and other learning opportunities. The premise is that money spent in training expenditures will eventually come back in terms of enhanced shareholder value. However, is this really the case?
Migrating to the Next Generation of the IntranetHow are intranets changing? What should the next generation of intranets look like, in light of the differing needs of both geographically dispersed and a new breed of workers? Tony Bailey shares more.
Searching For The Right Talent – An Overlooked Resource The 53 million Americans with disabilities are an untapped resource that can easily meet most challenges in many companies, says Lora Villarreal.
The Upside of Starting at the Bottom RungIs it still possible in today's economic climate to work hard, rise up the corporate ladder, and get ahead? Paul Facella shares his answers.
Ten Ways to Quiet Your Mind During the Holidays Author Jim Loehr, Ed.D. shows ten ways to use your inner conversations to achieve balance during the holidays, especially in this year of uncertainty and surprise.
Tone of Voice: It’s All in How We’re Saying ItRead this! Those two words can sounds demanding or exciting depending upon how you say it. Jim Clemmer shares reminds us it's all in the tone of your voice.
Productivity Got Run Over by a Reindeer During the Holidays The holidays create an unproductive workplace full of potlucks, parties and gatherings, but it's not the only season that challenges productivity. M. Lee Smith Publishers shares more on the year round productivity killer.
Joan Lloyd’s HR Words of Advice: Performance Plan May Help ProcrastinatorHow do you handle a promising employee who puts off getting the job done? Joan Lloyd shares her advice.
Concierge Helps Keep Holidays Healthy and Stress-FreeHealth concerns are higher over the holidays. Kimberlee Mineo shares tips on how to stay healthy during the festive season.
Holidays Mark Turning Point for Many Families with Aging RelativesA recent survey shows a growing interest in Employer-Sponsored Elder Care Assistance.
The Employers of Excellence National Conference - Simply the Best Conference You Will Ever AttendThis year, there are so many options available at the Employers of Excellence National Conference it can be confusing! Join us at this brief webcast that outlines in detail all of the tracks we are running and the options we have to help you be part of this top-quality conference.
The webcast will outline the four tracks plus the forum that is running this year in Vegas and will also explain the Virtual Component we are offering.
Estimated time for the webcast is just 30 minutes, with plenty of time for you to ask questions and get the information you need.
Extra Training May Boost Productivity, Ease Stress in Uncertain TimesA newly released survey reveals that there is a growing interest in employer sponsored training programs.
The Missing Link: Measuring How People Drive Enterprise ValueSimply put, the board and the CEO want a clear, credible, and simple picture of how much bang the organization’s getting for the money it invests in people and human resource programs. Frank DiBernardino explains.
You Can’t Manage It If You Don’t Measure It: Cape Fear Valley Health System opened its doors in 1956 as a 200-bed, one-building hospital and has grown into a regional health system with 619 beds, four hospitals and primary care physician offices throughout Cumberland County and surrounding areas. Yet it was not until 45 years later, that Cape Fear Valley embarked on its first full-census Employee Survey.
Hiring the Right Skill Set And Motivating the MillennialsAre recent graduates from some of the best schools really all they are thought to be? Tony Wagner says, "look beyond the applicants' pedigrees" when choosing an employee.
Five Non-Financial Rewards That People WantMoney isn't everything and organizations are finding that not every employee is looking for a financial reward. Bruce Tulgan explains.
Leaping the Intrapreneurial HurdlesCorporate entrepreneurship is vital to the future of every enterprise, but it presents difficult challenges for companies and their entrepreneurial employees. New research suggests that success comes from managing these unique relationships differently. Susan Foley shares more.
What's Most Important in a Flat, Diverse World?How much do your people feel that you value them? Do you demonstrate your interest in your employees in words and actions? Patricia Wheeler shares her advice.
Innovation and Engagement: Learning from the OlympicsWhat can we learn from record-breaking human achievements like those in the Olympics? They can guide us to creating a more innovative and engaging culture. Caela Farren explains.
Avoiding Legal Pitfalls During RIFs and When Reducing Workers' Hours If your company is considering reducing workers hours or pay or laying off employees, it's important to avoid legal pitfalls that could land your business in court. M. Lee Smith Publishers shares this report by John Vering.
Holiday Parties: How Businesses Can Avoid Sexual Harassment LawsuitsAs holiday decorations start to go up around the office and everyone is full of seasonal cheer, many businesses may find that work parties, along with a more relaxed environment, can lead to sexual harassment claims.
Becoming a Strong Strategic PartnerBecoming a strategic business partner has become a goal of many organizations as companies focus more on their human capital. Silvia Johnson shares more.
Employees Need Help De-Stressing This Holiday SeasonThe holiday season is stressful enough, but the current economic challenges have created is making the holidays even more pressure on employees. Gus Stieber explains.
Employment of Non-Regular vs. Regular Workers in KoreaThe Ministry of Labor in Korea is looking at changing the current Non-Regular Workers' Act. Pacific Bridge explains more.
Putting Human into Human ResourcesHuman Resources is relatively new, and its evolution can also be tracked in the name of the field: Personnel, Industrial Relations, Human Resources, Human Capital in the future?
Online Job Demand Drops 70,200 in NovemberThe Conference Board studied online job demand in November and found that the overall job demand had dropped by 264,000 in the last three months. The board shares its results.
Using Microsoft SharePoint for Acculturation OnboardingAs many onboarding vendors pitch a socialization product that is basically a portal with content targeted at new employees, the astute HRIS analyst might ask, "Why don't we use SharePoint for socialization; why do we need yet another portal?" This article, by Emerald Software VP Jeff Hayden, outlines the pros and cons of using Microsoft SharePoint as a socialization, or more properly put, acculturation platform.
The Many Faces of a Corporate Video and 3 Reasons You Should Create OneA corporate video can be used for more than just training. It can be an effective way to get messages out. Dirk Phannenstiel explains.
Selecting a Screening ProviderHas your organization ever considered a screening provider for potential employees? What should companies know before searching for a screening provider? Scott Viebranz has some answers.
What Can You Learn From “The Sam Walton Way?” What has made Wal-Mart so successful? Michael Bergdahl shares Sam Walton's 10 self-professed rules for the success of his Wal-Mart empire.
Add the -ly to Your AdverbsAre you productive or you working productively? -ly is really the question. Dianna Booher shares this grammatical lesson effective-ly.
The Diversity Leadership Imperative: The Need to Progress from Diversity Management to LeadershipDiversity is a reality that is here to stay, and its impact is increasing exponentially as our demographics continue to change. Al Vivian explains.
Telecommuting Might Be The Answer For Workers Who Change Their Retirement PlansTeleretirement. It has a nice ring, but will it really be the answer for workers who have to change their retirement plans? M. Lee Smith Publishers shares this article.
Employee Relationships: Workplace Communications Critical in Good Times and BadThe financial infrastructure is collapsing and there isn't an employee in any organization that isn't nervous. What is the employers’ role during these times? They need to have a plan says Daniel G. DePuydt of Oi Partners.
How HR Professionals Can Play a Role in Protecting the EnterpriseKeeping your organization’s data secure requires the cooperation of every employee - but what role should HR play? W. Hord Tipton has some answers.
Employers Will Continue to Aggressively Reduce Payrolls Well Into 2009The Conference Board Employment Trends Index (ETI)™ suggests economics conditions will continue to batter payrolls well into the new year.
IRS Publishes Guidance on Distributions from Health FSAs to Employees on Active Military DutyThe IRS recently issued clarifications on the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (the HEART Act) which became law on June 18, 2008. This Act allows, but does not require, distributions from a pre-tax health flexible spending account (health FSA) to employees who leave for active military duty. This article contains a summary of the new IRS guidance issued in Notice 2008-82.