Day: September 20, 2013

Employee Documentation Q&A: Job Descriptions, Performance Appraisals and Personnel Files

“Documentation can be extraordinarily helpful when it’s done completely, timely, and appropriately.” Ann Bowden-Hollis told us in a recent BLR webinar. But it can also be problematic if done improperly or without oversight. At the conclusion of the webinar, Bowden-Hollis answered participant questions including questions regarding how to address cognitive abilities in job requirements (to […]

Pension Plan Fiduciaries Should Know Basics of ‘Responsible’ Investing

Working with investment managers on optimal asset mixes and maximizing returns long has been important for employer retirement plan sponsors and committees. But in recent years it also has become advisable for those overseeing fund managers to understand responsible investing principles — at the same time they have become more important for many plan participants. […]

Is Giving Shoes Away a Great Business Strategy?

Giving feels good on its own, says TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie, but it’s also a great business strategy. TOMS’ one-for-one philosophy (the company gives away a pair of shoes for every pair it sells) has led it to success, he says. Giving feels good on its own, says TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie, but […]

Questions and answers on CFRA, FMLA leave in California

It’s crucial for California employers to get the information needed to properly designate absences so that FMLA/CFRA leave can be administered legally. But proper administration isn't always black and white. For example, if an employee's doctor advises that he or she is under the care of specialists, can an employer require that the specialist complete the FMLA certification?

Equal opportunity offender

No discussion of the film Horrible Bosses is complete without covering Kevin Spacey’s character, David Harken. Although he is arguably the most intimidating and even frightening of the three horrible bosses (two of which I covered in earlier posts, #1 and #2), his workplace conduct gives rise to the lowest litigation value from an employment […]

Expert answers on employee leaves of absence in California

At the end of a recent CER webinar on FMLA/CFRA certifications, Allen Kato fielded several questions from employers related to leaves of absence in California. Topics included requiring notice for intermittent leave, timing of receipt of certification, and employee requirements when calling out of work

Is Giving Shoes Away a Great Business Strategy?

Giving feels good on its own, says TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie, but it’s also a great business strategy. TOMS’ one-for-one philosophy (the company gives away a pair of shoes for every pair it sells) has led it to success, he says. Mycoskie announced at the recent SHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago that […]

Does Training Millennials Differ from Training Employees of Other Generations?

“There is a cultural aspect of the times you’ve grown up in,” says Beth N. Carvin, CEO and president of Nobscot Corporation (www.nobscot.com). With Millennials, “it’s just become much faster paced. Whether it’s because of video games or the Internet, everything moves faster. “From a training perspective, we have to be aware that we need […]

Do credit and criminal checks discriminate against minorities?

Over the past few years, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has aggressively challenged the use of credit reports and criminal history checks in hiring decisions, alleging that use of the information results in a discriminatory impact on candidates in protected groups. In 2012, the commission successfully negotiated a $3.13 million prelawsuit settlement of a […]