SHRM https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/rss en-us 10 Failproof Employee Engagement Ideas No matter your specific business, if your employees aren’t engaged, your customers won’t be either and that is going to negatively impact productivity and your bottom line. Employees who are happy and excited about the work they’re doing have an infectious energy that makes people... No matter your specific business, if your employees aren’t engaged, your customers won’t be either and that is going to negatively impact productivity and your bottom line. Employees who are happy and excited about the work they’re doing have an infectious energy that makes people...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/8602 Fri, 11 Feb 2022 12:48:36 -0500 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/8602-10-failproof-employee-engagement-ideas 'Silent' Benefits: Not So Silent Anymore! As a SHRM HR Knowledge Advisor, I’ve received many calls asking about how to find, attract and retain talent during this hot job market. Employers have been very creative in attracting talent—offering sign-on bonuses, remote and hybrid work arrangements, increased paid leave, and education reimbursement, to name just a few benefits. Some have considered... As a SHRM HR Knowledge Advisor, I’ve received many calls asking about how to find, attract and retain talent during this hot job market. Employers have been very creative in attracting talent—offering sign-on bonuses, remote and hybrid work arrangements, increased paid leave, and education reimbursement, to name just a few benefits. Some have considered...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/8528 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 16:26:11 -0500 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/8528-silent-benefits-not-so-silent-anymore How Important Are Allies in The Workplace? When we look to build diverse and inclusive workplaces, we sometimes forget to harness one of the biggest forces of change and inclusion: allyships. Let’s start with a definition. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines allyship as “supportive association with another person or group … specifically... When we look to build diverse and inclusive workplaces, we sometimes forget to harness one of the biggest forces of change and inclusion: allyships. Let’s start with a definition. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines allyship as “supportive association with another person or group … specifically...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/8492 Fri, 14 Jan 2022 10:58:28 -0500 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/8492-how-important-are-allies-in-the-workplace Single vs. Married Employees' Benefits Aren't Equal smiller@shrm.org Nearly all U.S. companies—90 percent—offer benefits of greater value to employees who are married, according to a new analysis. Disparities between single and married employees' benefits result in significant monetary inequalities, according to... Nearly all U.S. companies—90 percent—offer benefits of greater value to employees who are married, according to a new analysis. Disparities between single and married employees' benefits result in significant monetary inequalities, according to...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/6368 Thu, 05 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/6368-single-vs-married-employees-benefits-arent-equal Single Vs Married 7 Affordable Ways to Boost Morale You don't have to spend a lot to make a big difference in your workplace. We asked HR practitioners, via the SHRM Connect online community and LinkedIn, to share their ideas for easy, affordable ways to boost morale in the work environment. Many of the ideas show... You don't have to spend a lot to make a big difference in your workplace. We asked HR practitioners, via the SHRM Connect online community and LinkedIn, to share their ideas for easy, affordable ways to boost morale in the work environment. Many of the ideas show...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/6340 Thu, 14 Nov 2019 03:00:00 -0500 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/6340-affordable-ways-to-boost-morale Moral Boosting 2020 Payroll Taxes Will Hit Higher Incomes Starting Jan. 1, 2020, the maximum earnings subject to the Social Security payroll tax will increase by $4,800 to $137,700—up from the $132,900 maximum for 2019, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced Oct. 10. The SSA also posted... Starting Jan. 1, 2020, the maximum earnings subject to the Social Security payroll tax will increase by $4,800 to $137,700—up from the $132,900 maximum for 2019, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced Oct. 10. The SSA also posted...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/6279 Thu, 17 Oct 2019 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/6279-payroll-taxes-will-hit-higher-incomes Social Security Wages Last-Minute Tips for Complying with EEO-1 Pay-Data Reporting Employers have less than two weeks to file their EEO-1 Component 2 data—pay information broken down by job category, race, sex and ethnicity—to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). To avoid technical issues and delays... Employers have less than two weeks to file their EEO-1 Component 2 data—pay information broken down by job category, race, sex and ethnicity—to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). To avoid technical issues and delays...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/6217 Fri, 20 Sep 2019 02:00:00 -0400 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/6217-last-minute-tips-for-complying-with-eeo-1-pay-data-reporting September 30th Should Employees Who Have Been Evacuated Be Paid During a Hurricane? As Hurricane Dorian makes its way up the United States' Southeastern coast, many businesses will close and workers will be displaced. Employers should be prepared to answer important questions, including... As Hurricane Dorian makes its way up the United States' Southeastern coast, many businesses will close and workers will be displaced. Employers should be prepared to answer important questions, including...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/6180 Fri, 06 Sep 2019 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/6180-should-employees-who-have-been-evacuated-be-paid-during-a-hurricane Hurricane Dorian Employer Makes $1.3 Million FMLA Mistake by Firing Worker After Mexico Trip A recent decision from the highest court in Massachusetts emphasizes the risk to employers of taking employment actions based on outrage rather than reason—particularly when it comes to decisions about leaves of absence. In this case... A recent decision from the highest court in Massachusetts emphasizes the risk to employers of taking employment actions based on outrage rather than reason—particularly when it comes to decisions about leaves of absence.

In this case...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/6161 Mon, 26 Aug 2019 01:00:00 -0400 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/6161-employer-makes-13-million-fmla-mistake-by-firing-worker-after-mexico-trip Vacation Travel Viewpoint: Select Your Next HR Leader Based on These 6 Senses You're building a profile of the ideal HR executive and start with an inventory of compulsory attributes: technical and soft skills, a certain level of education, certifications, experience and proven accomplishments. Of course, this person must possess... You're building a profile of the ideal HR executive and start with an inventory of compulsory attributes: technical and soft skills, a certain level of education, certifications, experience and proven accomplishments. Of course, this person must possess...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/6106 Fri, 26 Jul 2019 02:00:00 -0400 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/6106-viewpoint-select-your-next-hr-leader-based-on-these-6-senses Internship Young Workers Report an Alarming Increase in Depression dana.wilkie@shrm.org Symptoms of depression have surged among U.S. workers in the past five years, with younger employees showing the most dramatic increase, according to a survey of nearly half a million workers. The proportion of workers with symptoms of depression rose... Symptoms of depression have surged among U.S. workers in the past five years, with younger employees showing the most dramatic increase, according to a survey of nearly half a million workers.

The proportion of workers with symptoms of depression rose...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/6011 Fri, 31 May 2019 02:00:00 -0400 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/6011-young-workers-report-an-alarming-increase-in-depression Work Depression Workers Around the Globe Face Age Discrimination allen.smith@shrm.org In the U.K., job applicants routinely include photos of themselves, along with personal details, when applying for positions. For one 2019 study... In the U.K., job applicants routinely include photos of themselves, along with personal details, when applying for positions. For one 2019 study...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5971 Thu, 16 May 2019 01:00:00 -0400 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5971-workers-around-the-globe-face-age-discrimination Older Workers Stakes Are High When Choosing Background-Screening Providers There may be more at stake in choosing a background-screening provider than in any other decision a HR leader makes when partnering with an industry vendor. A tight labor market means recruiters can't afford to dither when offering jobs to top candidates, yet... There may be more at stake in choosing a background-screening provider than in any other decision a HR leader makes when partnering with an industry vendor. A tight labor market means recruiters can't afford to dither when offering jobs to top candidates, yet...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5889 Thu, 18 Apr 2019 01:00:00 -0400 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5889-stakes-are-high-when-choosing-background-screening-providers Woman on Computer 2 Viewpoint: How to Use Humor to Increase Employee Engagement Before I got into stand-up comedy, I was a salesperson at a pressure gauge company. Talk about fun. One of my strongest memories working there was when... Before I got into stand-up comedy, I was a salesperson at a pressure gauge company. Talk about fun. One of my strongest memories working there was when...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5855 Thu, 04 Apr 2019 01:00:00 -0400 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5855-viewpoint-how-to-use-humor-to-increase-employee-engagement Increased Employee Engagement State Legalization of Marijuana Presents Thorny Issues for HR As more states legalize medical and recreational marijuana use, HR continues to struggle with the challenges presented by applicants and employees who use the drug, said Vantaggio HR President Lauraine Bifulco, speaking March 19 at the... As more states legalize medical and recreational marijuana use, HR continues to struggle with the challenges presented by applicants and employees who use the drug, said Vantaggio HR President Lauraine Bifulco, speaking March 19 at the...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5813 Thu, 21 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5813-state-legalization-of-marijuana-presents-thorny-issues-for-hr Legal Marijuana Viewpoint: Why Millennials Hate Waiting and What HR Can Do About It Imagine you are standing in line at a grocery store, and the line is deep and going nowhere. Your fellow shoppers are shifting impatiently from side to side while incessantly checking the time. Along comes... Imagine you are standing in line at a grocery store, and the line is deep and going nowhere. Your fellow shoppers are shifting impatiently from side to side while incessantly checking the time. Along comes...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5765 Thu, 07 Mar 2019 02:00:00 -0500 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5765-viewpoint-why-millennials-hate-waiting-and-what-hr-can-do-about-it Waiting How Much Parental Leave Is Too Much? smiller@shrm.org The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation recently announced that, effective later this year, it will halve the amount of paid parental leave it offers employees, reducing it from 52 weeks to 26 weeks. The reduction raises the questions: How much parental leave is enough, and how much may be too much?... The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation recently announced that, effective later this year, it will halve the amount of paid parental leave it offers employees, reducing it from 52 weeks to 26 weeks. The reduction raises the questions: How much parental leave is enough, and how much may be too much?...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5722 Thu, 21 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5722-how-much-parental-leave-is-too-much Parental Leave Manager Who Clocked Out Late Loses Discrimination Claim A federal district court dismissed an employee's race-discrimination claim by finding that any alleged demotion by the employer was justified by the employee's continuously clocking out of her shift late. The plaintiff was employed as... A federal district court dismissed an employee's race-discrimination claim by finding that any alleged demotion by the employer was justified by the employee's continuously clocking out of her shift late.

The plaintiff was employed as...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5671 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 17:32:00 -0500 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5671-manager-who-clocked-out-late-loses-discrimination-claim Time Clock Supreme Court Sides with Truck Driver in Arbitration Dispute The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Jan. 15 that a trucking company can't compel arbitration in a wage and hour case brought by a truck driver who was classified as an independent contractor. In an arbitration agreement... The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Jan. 15 that a trucking company can't compel arbitration in a wage and hour case brought by a truck driver who was classified as an independent contractor.

In an arbitration agreement...

]]> http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5611 Thu, 17 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5611-supreme-court-sides-with-truck-driver-in-arbitration-dispute longhaul trucking The 10 Biggest Mistakes New HR Professionals Make Do you remember your first job? Whether it was three years ago or three decades ago, chances are that one of your strongest recollections is of a mistake you made. You might have trusted the wrong person, made an error in judgment that affected a colleague or customer, or inadvertently... http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5536 Mon, 19 Nov 2018 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5536-the-10-biggest-mistakes-new-hr-professionals-make How About Ditching The Annual Holiday Party? Is the annual company holiday party still a thing? In recent years, many companies have downsized their holiday parties to less lavish affairs or hosted other types of events that replaced the traditional after-hours holiday soiree. The decision whether to host a holiday party may come down to... http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5469 Mon, 05 Nov 2018 10:00:00 -0500 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5469-how-about-ditching-the-annual-holiday-party For 2019, 401(k) Contribution Limit For Employees Rises To $19,000 smiller@shrm.org Employee 401(k) contributions for 2019 will top off at $19,000-a $500 increase from 2018-while the "all sources" maximum contribution (employer and employee combined) rises to... http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5468 Mon, 05 Nov 2018 10:00:00 -0500 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5468-for-2019-401k-contribution-limit-for-employees-rises-to-19000 Phone Zombies Create Problems At Work You're leading a meeting and notice your colleagues, their heads down, responding to those annoying little pings coming from their smartphones. Their attention is absorbed by their devices, answering e-mails, responding to texts, or scrolling through Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram. You might as well be invisible, because... http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5313 Fri, 24 Aug 2018 07:59:49 -0400 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5313-phone-zombies-create-problems-at-work Viewpoint: 10 Ways To Fight FMLA Abuse In The Summertime With the increase in summertime temperatures comes an increase in Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) abuse-when it's 82 degrees and sunny outside and we're headed toward a weekend, employees find it hard to work. We cynics don't call it the Friday Monday Leave Act for nothing. Fortunately for employers... http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/71 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/71-viewpoint-10-ways-to-fight-fmla-abuse-in-the-summertime Beach Relax Viewpoint: 10 Ways To Fight FMLA Abuse In The Summertime With the increase in summertime temperatures comes an increase in Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) abuse-when it's 82 degrees and sunny outside and we're headed toward a weekend, employees find it hard to work. We cynics don't call it the Friday Monday Leave Act for nothing. Fortunately for employers... http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5281 Fri, 03 Aug 2018 08:42:57 -0400 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5281-viewpoint-10-ways-to-fight-fmla-abuse-in-the-summertime Workplace Drug Policy Updates: Just Say Yes Although marijuana is still against federal law, 30 states have permitted the drug for medicinal purposes and nine of them also allow-or soon will allow-recreational use. Moreover, in the past year, some state courts have held that employers can't discipline workers based on their status as medical marijuana cardholders. The conflict between... http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5259 Fri, 20 Jul 2018 08:10:22 -0400 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5259-workplace-drug-policy-updates-just-say-yes Catching A Boomerang? Pros And Cons Of Rehiring Former Employees In today's highly competitive talent market, companies that have opted not to recruit former employees might want to reconsider. More employers appear to be open to returning workers. Kronos, in a dedicated section of its website... http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5103 Mon, 07 May 2018 05:51:32 -0400 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5103-catching-a-boomerang-pros-and-cons-of-rehiring-former-employees When Should Employers Use Nondisclosure Agreements? Nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) are used for a variety of reasons-including to protect employers' sensitive business information. But when should NDAs be used, and what types of information should be protected? News about overreaching noncompetes that prevent low-wage earners from working for competitors and NDAs that may silence victims of harassment have motivated state legislators to... http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5028 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 11:25:18 -0400 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/5028-when-should-employers-use-nondisclosure-agreements Ask An Expert: Can We Fire An Employee For Sharing His Pay Increase With Co-Workers? Probably not. Under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), employers are prohibited from taking adverse action against employees who participate in a "protected concerted activity," which can be defined as any discussion aimed at improving the terms and conditions of their employment. Such conversations might be about wages, benefits and workplace safety. These rights apply to most union and nonunion employees in the private sector. That said... http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/4997 Fri, 23 Mar 2018 10:41:00 -0400 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/4997-ask-an-expert-can-we-fire-an-employee-for-sharing-his-pay-increase-with-co-workers Viewpoint: FMLA Surveillance Of Employees Requires A Good Reason The federal district court in Idaho was troubled that surveilling an employee-in this case, John Walker, a longtime police officer with the Pocatello police department-without any basis might "chill" an employee from taking Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave. The court said in its Jan. 31, 2018 ruling... http://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/4953 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 09:19:18 -0500 https://www.businesswatchnetwork.com/articles/4953-viewpoint-fmla-surveillance-of-employees-requires-a-good-reason