HRIS / Technology

After NLRB ruling, can employees really trash you on Facebook?

02/21/2011

Don’t read too much into the recent foray by the NLRB into the brave new world of social media. Employees don’t receive a free pass on social media posts. They don’t have license to defame, disparage or otherwise trash their company, management, product or co-workers. Until the NLRB says otherwise, employers shouldn’t treat social media any differently than any other form of employee communications.

It’s time to ban texting while driving

02/21/2011

If you provide either cell phones or vehicles to your employees, lay down the law: No sending or reading text messages if you’re driving as part of your job. It’s illegal in 30 states.

Should we forbid supervisors from becoming their subordinates’ friend on Facebook?

02/09/2011

Q. A supervisor recently asked if he was allowed to accept a subordinate’s “friend” request on Facebook. How should we advise our supervisors?

How to legally make the digital leap to electronic HR records

02/09/2011

Given the low cost and the easy accessibility of electronic records storage, many employers are making the digital leap to “paperless” HR. But despite the many benefits of going paperless, a host of legal problems could derail even the best-intentioned digital records plan. Carefully consider these legal issues when transitioning to an electronic personnel records system.

Hand-held phone ban for commercial drivers?

02/03/2011

In 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration prohibited commercial truck and bus drivers from texting while driving. Last month, the agency proposed banning such drivers from reaching for, holding or dialing a cell phone while operating a commercial vehicle.

NLRB to decide: Are Facebook posts protected discussions?

01/26/2011

Let’s say one of your union employees has used her own computer to make negative comments about her supervisor on her personal Facebook page. Co-workers—Facebook friends of the employee—see the posts and start chiming in with further smears. Can you lawfully terminate these employees for violating your social media policy? Probably not.

Put in charge of social media? Avoid the top 10 pitfalls

01/21/2011

HR pros are sometimes tasked with leading the organization’s social media strategy. But in the Facebook/Twitter world, half the battle is knowing mistakes not to make.

Warn bosses: E-mail is smoking-gun evidence

01/18/2011

The risk isn’t new—e-mail has been around for a while. But managers and supervisors still continue to play fast and loose with their e-comments. E-mail messages are increasingly finding their way into employment-law court battles. Remind managers in the hiring process that it’s typically better to pick up the phone or walk down the hall to discuss a candidate than it is to send an e-mail.

Twittering away the day on FMLA

01/03/2011

Have you ever searched Twitter for the term “FMLA”? You’ll find some interesting interpretations on how people use their “family” or “medical” time off. Chicago law firm Franczek Radelet PC collected these recent tweets:

New tax law delivers savings–and benefits changes–that affect HR

12/21/2010

The contentious tax law signed by President Obama last week brings tax savings to workers nationwide—and contains several provisions that will affect HR. Here’s a round-up of various elements—from Social Security withholding to tuition reimbursement to on-site child care—that you’ll have to deal with when the law takes effect on Jan. 1.