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1/30/2012
Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States? Or that one American will experience a heart attack every 25 seconds?
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1/10/2012
No, we’re not asking you to step back into the classroom -- you can put down your pens, textbooks and notepads! Instead, take a few moments to test your knowledge of proper recordkeeping practices. Your awareness of what to keep and what to toss can keep you in compliance and protect you from time-consuming and costly HR mistakes.
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12/7/2011
This holiday season, many families will receive an extra special gift: the return of their loved ones from military service in the Middle East. In fact, more than 40,000 U.S. troops are expected to exit Iraq by year’s end, which means employers need to get ready for their arrival. After the heartfelt homecomings with friends and families, these courageous veterans will be stepping back into the work world and putting your HR strategies to the test
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11/8/2011
Sitting down to a delicious Thanksgiving dinner wouldn’t be complete without giving thanks for all the good fortune and happiness of the past year. High on the list are the friends and family who bring us joy and enrich our lives.
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10/5/2011
Ah, Halloween. When we’re kids, we can’t wait to dress up as our favorite action hero or fairytale princess, parade through the neighborhood and collect scads of candy. And although we’re adults now, we’re still kids at heart, looking to capture a bit of that Halloween magic. Perhaps that’s why Halloween is the third most celebrated holiday after Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
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10/5/2011
Last month, we kicked off a three-part series on holiday party planning. We already shared some cost-cutting ideas for holding a festive gathering on a budget. But limited funds might not be your only challenge with end-of-year celebrations.
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5/4/2011
A solid appraisal system encourages both personal and organizational achievement, and it heads off performance problems before they get out of hand. No matter what kind of appraisal system or method you use, understanding the pillars of effective appraisa
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4/14/2011
When an employer revises its handbook, it needs to make every effort to ensure that a copy of the new version is given to all employees and it should obtain a signed acknowledgement of receipt from each employee
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4/12/2011
In light of recent NLRB poster proposals, and an increase in labor union issues in the news and in the courts, many businesses are concerned about the impact of a union on their business. Learn about the pros and cons of labor unions, and what they mean for your company.
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4/9/2011
Rising gas prices can affect employee productivity, so what can employers do to help their staff deal with the high cost of commuting to work
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7/1/2009
Though the current economic recession leaves little for businesses to cheer about, it may be prompting more workers to adopt healthier lifestyles, according to a recent survey.
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6/23/2009
While it's not always welcome, receiving negative feedback from a supervisor or manager can have just as much, if not more of an impact on our careers as positive feedback.
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6/12/2009
Employees are ignoring data security policies and engaging in activities that could put their employers’ security in serious risk, according to a new survey.
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6/5/2009
Employee engagement has been deteriorating steadily since the recession began. Learn how training can turn it around.
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5/20/2009
When you think of instant messaging at work, “effectiveness” and “productivity” may be the last two terms that come to mind. But a new workplace study may have some singing a different tune.
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5/11/2009
Employee feedback is a gift managers should know how to deliver daily, not just during performance review time.
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4/24/2009
A lack of team spirit in the office combined with a poor work climate can be causing employees to feel stressed and depressed. The key to reducing that stress may be hidden in your organization’s team spirit, according to a new study.
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4/18/2009
Anyone who has moved across the country will agree that it reveals valuable lessons in planning and project management. It doesn’t matter how smooth you think the move will be, something is bound to go wrong.
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4/7/2009
Most organizations aren’t doing enough to prepare employees to handle changes at work. Without preparation, change management strategies are almost always destined to fail. Managers can help reduce the impact those changes can have on employees by taking a few basic actions.
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3/30/2009
Are hard working employees being rewarded with a sincere thank you? Or just more work? Recognizing employee efforts is key to your company's success.
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3/26/2009
In a study based on basketball scores, Wharton professors found a surprising connection between the motivating factors in sports and what motivates employees in the workplace.
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3/20/2009
When businesses are facing adverse challenges, some experts suggest that creating smaller goals is the best way to get your teams motivated.
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3/11/2009
You may think employees across various generations in your workplace may want completely different things out of their jobs, but a new study has revealed that they are much more alike than we once thought.
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3/11/2009
While personal protective equipment (PPE) can prevent chemicals from coming in contact with your body, material safety data sheets (MSDS) are your first line of defense when it comes to protecting employees who work with hazardous chemicals.
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2/20/2009
Looking for the best way to encourage employees to quit smoking? New research reveals that cash incentives may be the most effective method to help your workers quit smoking for good.
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2/20/2009
As businesses continue to muscle through this recession, their employees are taking on added responsibilities and working harder than ever before. It turns out that most workers feel rewarded by low-cost incentives that are simple to deliver.
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2/13/2009
As changes in labor law occur, it is important that organizations ensure employees understand the changes and what impact the change may have on their job. When employers fail to inform themselves and employees on the latest legislative changes they put everyone at risk.
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12/18/2008
It’s estimated that one quarter of workers will be staying in touch with the office while on vacation this year, with another one in ten people reporting that their boss is expecting them to complete work or check voice and email messages while on vacation.
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12/12/2008
Reaching the peak of your personal productivity is a process that involves dedication, experimentation and time. The following tips and tricks will help you get started with personal productivity and improve your time management skills.
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12/10/2008
The end of the year marks a natural time for giving, but many have been forced to cut back this holiday season. When times get tough and revenue drops, corporate philanthropy is one of the first things companies cut. But, cutting corporate giving out of the budget is an unwise decision.
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12/10/2008
Research shows that companies with happy employees perform "notably better" financially than lower-ranked companies. Happiness at work has also been proven to keep employees healthier and improve productivity.
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11/24/2008
The holidays always have a way of keeping our attention on everything but work. Between vacations and buying holiday gifts, many employees find it difficult to stay focused enough to finish their to-do lists by the time the ball drops in Times Square. Here are a few tips to improve employee morale during the holidays and at any other time of the year.
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9/8/2008
At their best, performance appraisals can put your organization on solid legal ground, provide current feedback to employees and set clearly defined objectives for the future.
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9/8/2008
The weak economy finally leaves you no choice: You must lay off some people and distribute their duties among the rest. How can you integrate these positions effectively? Try these suggestions
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9/2/2008
With the 2008 election in full swing, politics is on the minds of many employees and their employers. Here are the answers to some of the recent questions that have been posed to G.Neil’s HR employment law experts.
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8/26/2008
How can managers best gather information for performance reviews? Some HR trainers recommend that they keep a diary. Should you, an HR manager, pitch the practice to those in your company?
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8/22/2008
The human resources department has the perspective and resources to help new supervisors get off on the right foot from their very first day. HR staffers who share the following suggestions with fledgling managers during their initial training become part
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8/22/2008
A company’s character can be judged by the faces it shows to the public. Fairly or not, customers form lasting impressions from how your front-line people speak, look, and act.
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8/21/2008
Salary surveys. Surveys are among the most reliable ways to come up with or compare salaries. Your challenge: to get hold of a current survey that reflects your industry, the occupation(s) you’re trying to benchmark, and locale.
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8/20/2008
Perhaps the best approachto finding promotable people is by using input from department managers and supervisors, is to examine job knowledge and other factors that are general predictors of success at higher levels.
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8/20/2008
Improving employee productivity is one of the most profitable investments business owners can make. What’s more, a properly executed system for conducting employee performance reviews can help prevent wrongful termination and discrimination lawsuits
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8/20/2008
If you haven’t heard, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is on the move again. Are you making it your business to stay informed? You should be.
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8/20/2008
Office bullying can take different forms, and can consist of intimidation, humiliation, aggressive behavior, sabotage and verbal abuse
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8/20/2008
How do you keep valuable people productive and content? Show them you care and reward them for doing what you want them to do. That’s best done with a well-planned recognition/rewards program.
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8/20/2008
Many employers and employees dread the evaluation process. But they shouldn’t have to. The important thing is to consider an evaluation as a year-round procedure instead of a one-time annual event. It’s a very efficient way to document both outstanding ef
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8/20/2008
Teens might not be aware of the laws and processes in place to help protect them and their coworkers — unless you make a point of educating and informing them.
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8/20/2008
Although tough times may call for tough measures, they often require some highly creative ones, too. That’s especially true when it comes to avoiding layoffs. Here’s an array of suggestions HR and higher managers can use to help keep some of their workfor
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8/20/2008
Workplace romances can create awkward situations within the company, and sometimes lead to litigation but no-dating policies often lead to secretive relationships, so create a solid and reasonable office romance policy for your company
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8/19/2008
On some issues related to sexual harassment, the laws have been fairly clear. For example, if an employee is demoted, fired or subjected to an extreme pay cut due to supervisor harassment, the employer is automatically held liable
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8/19/2008
"Experienced HR hands know that prying eyes sometimes go through the department’s garbage looking for information. Shred any document that mentions a specific individual"
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8/19/2008
Recent court rulings have made it clear that employers who make “good faith” efforts to eliminate workplace discrimination can, in some cases, avoid punitive-damage awards
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8/12/2008
Following up on attendance problems can be a tricky proposition, but here are some tips to help you through it
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8/12/2008
Having a disaster recovery plan in place could make the difference between keeping your doors open, or scrambling to get operational while your profits plummet
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1/29/2008
Employee recognition programs are proven to increase productivity, motivate employees to higher performance, reduce turnover costs and — most important — improve your bottom line.
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7/31/2007
Create a strong workplace harassment policy that states the company’s “zero tolerance” for harassment of any form - not just sexual harassment.
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7/31/2007
Most workplace violence is perpetrated by non-employees, such as when an armed robber confronts retail help, the client of human services agency becomes physically abusive, or the spouse of one of your people comes after his or her mate at work
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7/10/2007
Conflict in the workplace is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be destructive. When managers know how to properly approach conflicts between employees – and other managers – they can resolve the situation in ways that benefit the company
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3/7/2007
When you meet with an employee to discuss a problem, Establish the facts of the situation. Listen carefully; don’t interrupt. If necessary, let the employee “vent.”
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3/7/2007
The company doesn’t exist to improve your life. Your job exists to improve the company’s long term ability to serve customers.
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3/7/2007
Before you start putting up suggestion boxes, answer the questions, “why, who, what, and how?”
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3/7/2007
When faced with a problem that requires you to make a decision, first categorize it. That helps you size it up. You’ll begin to see how deep it is and how long it’ll take to solve.
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3/7/2007
You may need to adopt or adapt policies and practices in four key areas to keep up with the times—and to ensure the safety, competitiveness, and retention of your workforce.
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3/6/2007
Taking a consultative approach to human resources will ensure that your expertise is in high demand, and it positions you as a valuable partner. And that, you’ll find, opens the door to opportunity.
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3/6/2007
Why do 66 percent of the large employers surveyed by Mercer Human Resource Consulting say their performance management systems are effective only “to some extent” in helping the company achieve its goals?
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3/6/2007
Common wisdom has it that harassed parents are the ones who want flexible work arrangements (part-time work, job sharing, flexible hours, etc.) so they can take children to the doctor or soccer practice.
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3/6/2007
If you need to inspire the members of your crew, try borrowing a page from Herman Melville’s book. Captain Ahab’s contest had at least six qualities that made it a powerful motivator for his crew or anyone else’s.
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3/6/2007
Every employee wants a promotion, right? Nope. If you think so, you might run off some great rank-and-filers who’d rather stay among the rank and file.
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3/6/2007
Whether they’re tuning engines or tuning pianos, people usually feel a greater stake in what they’ve done when they put their name on it. That act alone personalizes what they’ve done and reinforces their sense of worth.
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3/6/2007
Not long ago, a new car dealer hired my pal Rod, a consultant, to investigate high turnover in his service department. “You’ll hear lots of gripes about the older equipment,” he said, “but I can’t afford to upgrade it right now.
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3/6/2007
Age and experience; youth and ambition. If you’re fortunate enough to have workers of each stripe, some strategic matchmaking can motivate everyone involved and boost your company’s bottom line.
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3/6/2007
Whether you’re discussing training needs, interviewing applicants, doing performance reviews, or settling grievances, you invest a big part of your day in listening. Here’s how to make that investment pay off.
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3/6/2007
With so many employment laws to deal with, today’s workplace can seem to be more about limiting your liability than managing and motivating your employees. For busy managers, even a minor mistake can prove costly.
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3/6/2007
Many companies can no longer afford to pull one of the main levers they’ve used to motivate managers over the past decade or two: money.
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3/6/2007
Managers and HR people often run into employees with overly optimistic—or misguided—career plans. While it’s good to be optimistic, unrealistic expectations combined with negative comments from a manager can lead to disappointment, lowered productivity, a
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3/6/2007
If you want to get all the benefits a relationship with an EAP can bring, it’s important to spot the problems EAP counselors are equipped to handle.
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3/6/2007
Although laws prohibiting harassment in the workplace were enacted years ago, employers continue to pay out substantial sums to settle employees’ harassment claims.
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3/5/2007
HR people can help managers nurture their most creative people’s talents and accommodate their quirkiness for the benefit of all. Here are talking points for an informal coaching session or more formal training.
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3/5/2007
What are the traits of effective leaders? Well, Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton, Richard Nixon and many other notable leaders have all written about their own personal “Ten Commandments” of leadership. And, not surprisingly, a common thread seems to run throu
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3/5/2007
A job-rotation program--in which your management trainees do short stints in each company department—can be an excellent way to give potential executives that all-important perspective they need to launch their careers.
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3/5/2007
Creating a positive work environment is well within reach and is largely about reshaping the work experience into something meaningful and personally satisfying for employees
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3/5/2007
Here’s a little exercise you can use to help turn a bunch of people into a team in a short time.
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3/5/2007
As an HR professional, there is a good chance you will have to deal with a complaint regarding improper conduct. Not following the proper steps in a timely fashion could spell real trouble for your company in the form of morale issues, bad press or even l
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3/5/2007
Studies show that strong human resource practices result in more profitable companies. Recent studies from Watson Wyatt Worldwide and Price Waterhouse Coopers show that companies with superior human resource execution significantly outperform less efficie
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3/5/2007
Executives who order layoffs don’t often stop to think about how the remaining employees will do all the work. Says Savage: “Simply becoming leaner doesn’t make you fitter. It just makes you thin.” That’s why you need to get fit as you trim staff.
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3/5/2007
Your group is challenged by an unusual problem or opportunity that calls for both creativity and collaboration. What’s the best way to produce a slate of useful ideas? Try brainstorming.
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3/5/2007
One of the first steps you need to do in order to deal with angry employees is to turn down the heat and gather as much information as possible.
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3/5/2007
At its most basic level, retaliation occurs when an employer penalizes an employee after the employee files a discrimination complaint. From the EEOC’s perspective, retaliation occurs when an employer, employment agency, or labor organization takes an adv
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3/5/2007
Knowing the business you’re in is essential to becoming an effective—and respected—HR professional, said Carricato. “If you don’t know the business, you’re never going to get a seat at the table, because they [senior managers] won’t trust you.”
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3/5/2007
Employers have an even more demanding task than the majority of us—they are obligated by law to take steps to prohibit unlawful harassment and discrimination against their employees
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3/5/2007
Severe weather raises several of HR issues, specifically concerning how exempt employees must be compensated during work stoppages.
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3/5/2007
Whether you catch a thief red-handed, plan to let a poor performer go, or are conducting a general reduction in workforce, take time to go through the following checklist.
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3/5/2007
How well are employers handling their responsibilities regarding sexual harassment today, and is same sex harassment increasing?
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3/5/2007
Whether it's in hiring, dealing with harassment, or trying to mandate an all English workplace, here are some the most common mistakes managers make
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3/5/2007
Employee theft is a much bigger problem than shoplifting since according to the National Retail Security Survey, employees stole $13.2 billion worth of goods last year, while shoplifters pilfered items valued at $9.7 billion
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3/5/2007
Train executives to monitor their subordinate managers’ span of control to keep track of the number of people they are currently supervising
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3/5/2007
Head off employee problems with an open door policy and a well defined communication process in the workplace
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3/5/2007
Recognize employee effort with a simple, heartfelt thank you, which costs nothing yet can motivate your employees better than money or gifts
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3/5/2007
With the price of health-care benefits expected to rise another 12 to 15 percent this year—20 percent for prescription benefits—what’s a cost-conscious Human Resource manager to do to keep benefits costs under control
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3/5/2007
Many companies are replacing traditional “one person/one task” training with cross-training. The results often speak for themselves.
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3/5/2007
Morale surveys are an excellent way to identify hidden problems that may be increasing employee turnover, decreasing productivity, and damaging your company’s reputation
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3/5/2007
Work expands to fill the time you give it, so it may seem like you’re doing something important and getting more done when you spend long hours on the job, but it may be just a workaholic tendancy
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3/5/2007
By failing to apply company policies uniformly, employers may wind up with a situation that looks like discrimination and that can lead employees file costly lawsuits against the company. How can you avoid charges of discrimination?
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3/5/2007
A recent Supreme Court decision on workplace discrimination cases against employers decision reiterates the importance of assuring that all workplace decisions are based on legitimate business reasons and not on employees’ protected characteristics
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3/5/2007
Plenty has been written about improving customer service, but little about how to retain those who deliver that service every day, whether they’re tech reps, retail salespeople, maintenance and repair employees, or workers who answer consumer complaint ho
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3/5/2007
Before launching an investigation yourself, consider two other options hiring a consultant who specializes in such investigations, or hiring an attorney
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3/5/2007
If your boss says you won’t move up until you’ve groomed a replacement,and many bosses say or think just that, here are some tips to help you ensure your own promotion by leaving your job in good hands
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3/5/2007
Discipline and termination are two of the most misunderstood but necessary actions in the employer/employee relationship. On the one hand, some managers and supervisors are reluctant to initiate any negative actions against employees because of possible l
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3/5/2007
Eliminating discrimination in the workplace based on race and color is a top priority with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Last year, the EEOC resolved 27,411 race discrimination charges and recovered $76.5 million in monetary benefits for ag
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3/5/2007
Author Tom Peters popularized the term “management by walking around.” The idea behind MBWA, as it is known, is simple: Managers can be a lot more effective when they wander around their departments
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2/28/2007
“Humor at work,” says humor consultant and stand-up comedian Claire Berger, “releases social and professional energy, creates trust, and improves morale.”
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2/27/2007
A manual isn’t something you produce simply to comply with the law.Besides promoting company values, it should say what you expect of employees and what they can expect of you
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2/27/2007
In the heat of the battle — and at the very heart of the company — are your frontline managers. Difficult tasks call for flexible frontline managers who equip themselves with strong communication and leadership skills
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2/27/2007
Sign up with an Employee Assistance Program, or EAP. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, each dollar you invest in an EAP will save you anywhere from $5 to $16
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2/27/2007
Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas says that downsizings increase significantly in the last four months of any year. Why? Employers pare down budgets in anticipation of the coming year
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2/27/2007
It’s critical to have legally sound discipline and termination procedures in place, and to follow them. Ideally, your employee handbook should provide for a progressive disciplinary system
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2/27/2007
To reach their full potential and contribute to the company’s success, your people need to understand what they’re doing well and what they can improve upon. That’s what makes performance evaluations so vital
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2/27/2007
“Gossip,” said Joseph Conrad, “is what no one claims to like, but everybody enjoys.” That’s certainly true in the workplace, where rumors can undermine morale, nurture paranoia, damage reputations, and decrease productivity
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2/27/2007
No downsizing can occur without some disruption and negative impact on the organization and its work force. However, a company can greatly reduce this impact if it communicates honestly before, during and after the downsizing process
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2/26/2007
It asked 350 HR executives across the country to list what they consider to be the top five competencies necessary for HR to have a seat at the executive table
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2/26/2007
In the meetings you lead and attend, demand value even if you become known as a curmudgeon. Meetings are among the worst threats you have to controlling your time and hence getting things done
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2/26/2007
Delegation is a tool for getting things done efficiently and for developing employees. Do not avoid critical management functions such as interviewing, merit planning, budgeting, or counseling
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