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Employee Relations

Photo contest unites global IT workforce

08/07/2009

Execs at IT provider Dimension Data had three challenges: (1) promote employee awareness of the company’s “green” initiatives; (2) address low morale as workers and the organization struggle with the economy; and (3) encourage a global workforce to interact more with each other. It solved all three problems with a photo contest.

Cincy doctor to feel some pain

08/07/2009

Dr. Walter Broadnax, owner of Cincinnati’s Pain Group, will serve five years’ probation and pay $56,246 in restitution to the state Bureau of Workers Compensation.

Beware long suspensions, even with pay! They could be adverse employment actions

08/07/2009

Traditionally, a temporary suspension with full pay hasn’t been deemed an adverse employment action, mainly because courts want to give employers time to determine what an appropriate disciplinary action might be. But if the employer extends that suspension or turns it into a transfer to a no-duties position, courts may take that into consideration.

Make sure your promotion process gives all qualified candidates enough time to apply

08/07/2009

Supervisors who want to hand-select a particular employee for a job may be tempted to play fast and loose with the company promotion process. Watch out!

Recession revisited: Is it time for cautious optimism on pay?

08/07/2009

As hard as this recession has been on everyone, it has forced organizations to look at how to spend compensation budgets more efficiently and more effectively. What has shaken out is a new system of pay raises and bonuses that rewards employees for doing top-notch work rather than for simply showing up for work. Here are five lessons compensation pros have learned during these hard times:

Court: We won’t micromanage hiring decisions

08/06/2009

The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that an employee who was passed over for a promotion can’t later use the poor performance of the person who got the job to prove the decision was discriminatory. The case shows that courts are willing to let employers make mistakes; they won’t micromanage hiring and promotion decisions.

Compare disciplinary records before firing

08/04/2009

Employers know they are not supposed to discriminate against employees based on protected characteristics such as race, age or sex. But HR can’t be everywhere, and in large organizations, it may be hard to monitor equal treatment. A centralized discipline-tracking system can help you check for possible hidden discrimination by comparing proposed discipline against past discipline.

Feel free to let the punishment fit the ‘crime’ when disciplining for off-duty conduct

08/04/2009

Many employers have rules that prohibit off-duty conduct that may reflect negatively on the company. But even with such policies, it’s tricky to discipline employees for the things they do on their own time away from the workplace. In fact, you’re free to use discretion in deciding whether an employee should be warned, suspended or terminated.

Progressive discipline and pregnancy: Can the process continue?

08/04/2009

Q. If an employee is already on probation when she becomes pregnant, can we continue progressive discipline measures, including possible discharge?

Interviews: The legal way to ask 5 risky questions

08/04/2009
Job discrimination claims are running at record-high levels in the past two years. Way too many problems start when hiring managers ask the wrong questions during job interviews. Here’s how to ask five key questions without risking a hiring discrimination charge. (Plus 16 questions no one should ever ask.)