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Employee Relations

Skipping disciplinary meeting is insubordination

10/29/2015
An employee who refuses to attend a disciplinary meeting and is terminated as a result probably isn’t eligible for unemployment benefits. It amounts to insubordination and willful misconduct.

‘I got stuck under my bed’ and more priceless absenteeism excuses

10/28/2015
CareerBuilder has learned that some employees take their excuses to the next level, from claims of poisoning at grandma’s hands to the urgent need to dumpster dive. Real-life bosses no doubt cringed when they heard that a subordinate missed work because he or she …

Document carefully when disciplining for injury

10/27/2015
Sometimes, employees who carelessly injure themselves deserve discipline. That’s fine, as long as you carefully document the carelessness.

In praise of praise

10/25/2015
New leaders tend to get tripped up on praise because they worry that it will seem unprofessional or that people will get overconfident and complacent. It isn’t … and they won’t.

Connect with younger co-workers

10/25/2015
If you’re surrounded by co-workers half your age, it can feel isolating. They’ve grown up in a different world than you, and they have different priorities. How do you talk to them?

3 types of underperformers who taint your workplace

10/23/2015
Underperformers really come in only three varieties, and most of them can be repaired, but more easily, prevented from becoming one in the first place.

Suit: State didn’t accommodate disability–alcoholism

10/22/2015
A former Assistant Director of the State Lottery has filed suit against the Minnesota State Lottery, the Department of Management and Budget and her former boss, Ed Van Petten. She was fired after being charged with drunken driving in 2012 after injuring an elderly man in a traffic accident. She is yet to stand trial on those charges.

Fired county official denies harassment charges

10/22/2015
The former head of the Dakota County Community Development Agency denied the charges that led to his firing in a meeting with the County Board.

Sobering statistic: The hidden business cost of hangovers

10/22/2015
Binge drinking and the resulting hangovers cost U.S. employers $77 million in lost productivity at work, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Workplace detective: 10 investigation mistakes to avoid

10/15/2015
How you look into misconduct can have huge legal implications for your company. Get the process right the first time.