human resources

August 1, 2009

Categories

Compliance

Wage Theft

The term wage theft is gaining popularity among plaintiffs’ attorneys who are filing wage and hour claims. These are attractive cases because the employer bears the burden of proof and it’s relatively easy to get class-action certified. Wage and hour class actions are filed more often than all other types of employment class actions combined. The Department of Labor (DOL) estimates 70% of employers are not in compliance with wage and hour regulations. Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis is committed to protecting workers’ rights; planning to hire an additional 250 new field investigators; a one-third increase in its staffing. Employers […]

July 1, 2009

Categories

Performance

Re-Orientation

Employee orientation, now referred to as onboarding is a human resource tool that may be repurposed to re-orient employees to their companies. Onboarding is a systematic approach to integrate a new employee with the company. It is a process that is frequently overlooked or poorly executed. However, when onboarding is done effectively, employees become productive faster and voluntary turnover is lower. There is a great deal of evidence that onboarding increases employee engagement. The process is designed to reduce stress of the new employee, familiarize the employee with the company’s culture, products, procedures and how their job functions contribute. Watson […]

June 1, 2009

Categories

Civility

Pointy-Haired Boss

We can laugh at the pointy-haired boss whom Dilbert suffers and with Michael Scott on “The Office” because almost everyone has had a bad boss. More than one study reveals nine-out-of-ten employees have worked for a bad manager. John Hollon of Workforce Management recently proclaimed Sam Zell, the CEO of the Tribune Company as the winner of the Stupidus Maximus Award. This award honors the most ignorant, shortsighted and dumb workforce management practitioner of the year.

May 1, 2009

Categories

Civility

Reducing Personnel Costs

If the recession doesn’t kill you, the recovery will is an expression that has made an impression on a number of companies. Personnel have been cut to the bone and companies are realizing that former employees walked away with institutional intelligence. Robert Olson, Winnebago Industries’ CEO uses furloughs and moved to a four-day work week to remain poised for the market’s turn around. Olson said, “You can’t cut your way to prosperity.” Furloughs (temporary lay-offs) are growing in popularity. Furloughs can reduce overhead expenses and retain employees. Until recently, furloughs were thought to reduce morale and productivity. However in these […]