By Julie Ellison bio For many employers, the idea of creating an Employee Handbook is overwhelming. But the importance of having one should outweigh that hesitancy given the peace of mind it can provide you while you are busy running your law firm or business. An Employee Handbook is your road map for what your employees can expect from you and what you expect from your … [Read more...] about Yes! You need an employee handbook
Policies
Compliance perspective: How to keep an employee from damaging your practice on social media
In the cyber age, protecting your practice from the potential threat posed by employee blogging, tweeting, Instagramming, and other social networking is a business imperative. But how? To find out, keep reading. . . It is your business The starting point is recognizing that social networking by employees is not purely a private matter. Over the past decades, courts and … [Read more...] about Compliance perspective: How to keep an employee from damaging your practice on social media
Worried about a data breach? Here’s why you should be
Your greatest asset, your employees, can represent your greatest threat—a data breach— according to computer security experts John Simek and Michael Maschke. "If you are worried about a data breach, you should be," says Simek, who is vice-president of Sensei Enterprises Inc., a Fairfax, VA-based digital forensics, IT and cybersecurity company. "If somebody really wants to get … [Read more...] about Worried about a data breach? Here’s why you should be
Can your employee handbook help you safely terminate an employee?
If you ever need to terminate an employee, one of the best tools you can have is an employee handbook that sets out clear policies and is kept up-to-date with changes in employment laws, says Chris Lessard, a California attorney who specializes in HR issues. Lessard, who is J.D. Solution Center Advisor to CEDR HR Solutions, says employee handbooks can protect legal practice … [Read more...] about Can your employee handbook help you safely terminate an employee?
An HR ghost story
By Lynne Curry bio My client asked me to find him the one "right" applicant for a critical management position in his company. Out of more than 50 resumes, I chose my favorite. "Jacob" did a great job on his phone interview, so I called him in for an interview. Ten minutes before the interview, he called saying an uninsured motorist had rear-ended him and the … [Read more...] about An HR ghost story
Sexual harassment in the workplace: how your practice’s policy can make a difference
Employees are more likely to report sexual harassment they witness at work when there is a zero-tolerance policy in place, according to a new study conducted by Florida International University (FIU). The study's findings show that companies where zero-tolerance policies are a top-priority are particularly effective in increasing the reporting of the most common forms of … [Read more...] about Sexual harassment in the workplace: how your practice’s policy can make a difference
Defuzzifying dangerous company cultures
By Rex Conner bio Google's recent events have called into question its company culture, and the cultures of others in Silicon Valley. The questions swirling around the company culture will continue long after the current situation is resolved. With that news and other high-profile company cultures in the spotlight, it's strange that no one is talking about the roots … [Read more...] about Defuzzifying dangerous company cultures
Model Policy: Workplace Bullying Policy
Why you need this model policy: Your firm is committed to the goal of ensuring that all of its employees are treated with dignity, civility, and respect in the workplace. Bullying behavior is not compatible with this commitment. How this model policy helps you: This model policy explains what bullying is and helps you communicate to all employees that bullying behavior will … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Workplace Bullying Policy
Model Policy: Jewelry and tattoos
Why you need this policy: This model jewelry and tattoos policy establishes guidelines for staff wearing jewelry or displaying tattoos. How this policy helps you: This policy recognizes the value of personal self-expression and establishes parameters for when personal appearance enhanced by jewelry or tattoos exceeds appropriate and reasonable workplace limits. How to use … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Jewelry and tattoos
Model Tool: Catastrophic Leave Program Donation Form
Why you need this form: Leave-sharing programs must meet certain criteria in order to be valid under the Internal Revenue Service's general tax rules and under various state laws. How this form helps you: A leave-sharing program must be in writing and created as a "leave bank" into which employees may deposit donated leave. How to use this form: Check with your state law to … [Read more...] about Model Tool: Catastrophic Leave Program Donation Form