If you’ve handled workers’ comp claims, you’re probably used to some common injuries: wrenched back, torn ligaments, pulled muscles, etc. But did you ever imagine having to deal with implants? [Read more…] about Implants eligible for workers’ comp claim
Articles
Worker wants to use gift certificate from his company to hire a hooker
Does your company use gift certificates to try to retain excellent employees? Apparently, some workers need to be told there are limits on what they can pay for with the certificates. [Read more…] about Worker wants to use gift certificate from his company to hire a hooker
My best HR management idea: Providing valuable HR reports that get attention
HR manager Kim Baker put together some great HR reports for her managers. Problem was, no one was reading them, until she figured out how to get the managers’ attention (part of an ongoing series).
[Read more…] about My best HR management idea: Providing valuable HR reports that get attention
Can you get sued for “gun-owner discrimination”?
If a few pending laws are passed, employers in some states soon won’t be allowed to tell employees to keep firearms off of company property. Will your state be next? [Read more…] about Can you get sued for “gun-owner discrimination”?
What HR managers told us: Do you give benefits to part-timers?
We asked 314 HR managers if their company’s part-time employees got some sort of benefits package. Here’s what they said.
[Read more…] about What HR managers told us: Do you give benefits to part-timers?
Answers to two tricky HR questions: Dealing with HSAs and military leave
Our team of experts fields real-life, everyday questions from HR managers and gives practical answers that can be applied by any HR pro in the same situation.
[Read more…] about Answers to two tricky HR questions: Dealing with HSAs and military leave
High Court makes 401(k)s fair game for lawsuits
Heads up for HR: The Supreme Court has just given individual employees the green light to sue to recover losses in their 401(k) accounts. [Read more…] about High Court makes 401(k)s fair game for lawsuits
Discrimination: Can you set different probation periods for different employees?
One area of discrimination that’s drawn attention is so-called “PIPs” – improvement plans and periods for low-performers. The key question courts are answering: Can you set different probation periods for different employees?Here’s the situation a lot of HR managers face:
You have two low-performing employees, one white and the other nonwhite. You and their managers want to place the employees in a probation status – in which they have a set time, say 90 days, to get themselves on track or face termination.
Then the manager of the white employee lets the 90 days play out. But the manager of the nonwhite employee comes to you before the end of the 90 days and says, “Let’s terminate now.”Two guidesA touchy situation, to be sure. Here’s the guidance that’s come out of some federal-court cases on how to avoid the appearance of discrimination:
1. To begin, you’re OK if, when deciding on probation periods, you set different ones for different employees. Courts generally recognize that not all employees are the same, and that you may have good business reasons for setting different periods. For example, it might be crucial that an employee gets up to speed quickly on a short-fuse project, while another employee’s quick progress might not be so critical.
2. Even if you set the same periods, you’re not stuck with them if you stipulate in the PIP documentation that a lack of progress on the part of the employee could cause the time to be cut short. In other words, in a 90-day program, a supervisor could see after 60 days that the situation is hopeless and recommend termination. Just make sure that option is spelled out in the paperwork covering the PIP.
Bad managers blame HR
When asked the question of why they’re not doing a good job, many managers have a stock reply: “It’s HR’s fault.”
[Read more…] about Bad managers blame HR
Tougher Homeland Security penalties for employers kick in Mar. 27
Be aware: Effective March 27, new, stiffer penalties kick in for employers who don’t follow the latest Homeland Security rules.
[Read more…] about Tougher Homeland Security penalties for employers kick in Mar. 27