human resources

April 25, 2013

How To Avoid Retaliation Claims

Employers must be aware of the wide and deep exposure to retaliation claims. Retaliation hit the top of the charts for claims of discrimination. In 2011, it comprised over 37% of all Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) claims, compared with race at 35% and gender (28%). The number of retaliation claims have doubled since 2000. There were 37,334 retaliation claims filed with the EEOC in 2011. Legislative and case law have broadened the scope of retaliation and those protected against retaliation. EEOC’s 2013 agenda includes a focus on retaliation. Case law has lowered the burden for establishing retaliation. There has […]
March 26, 2013

New and Improved Federal Forms

The Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated forms on March 8, 2013. DOL issued updated Family Medical Leave Act’s (FMLA) regulations, certification forms and a new poster. USCIS revised their I-9 form which establishes an individual’s right to work in the United States. FMLA has been around for twenty years. Its most recent amendment was in October 2009 when the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) expanded the military leaves which were less than two years old. Two types of military leaves were added in January, 2009; qualifying exigency and military caregiver leave. Initially, […]
February 26, 2013

Feedback Is A Gift

Anytime one receives a gift, the right thing to say is Thank you. Whether you cherish the gift, throw the gift away or re-gift it; the giver should be thanked. A gift and feedback have so much in common. Whether feedback is positive or negative, and regardless of whether the feedback will be used or not the proper response of gratitude remains. Delivery has a lot to do with our ability to accept feedback gracefully. Organizations in general have had a tough time providing employees feedback. Most organizations force the feedback once a year during the annual performance appraisal. During […]
January 28, 2013

Optimize the Most Valuable Asset

Several terms depict managing a workforce: human capital management, talent development and performance management. The understanding of each of these terms is varied. Perhaps the new terms are an effort to move from a narrow view of employee discipline to making the best of each employee’s work-life. Yet, many organizations continue to focus on discipline or corrective action; others add the performance appraisal process; and some look at the effort to optimize the employee’s life from recruitment to retirement. There are several strategies to increase employee engagement, and many can be considered performance management, or talent development strategies. Performance management […]