Massachusetts recently signed into law An Act to Establish Pay Equity, S.2119, which takes effect on July 1, 2018. The new law prevents wage discrimination based on gender. The law includes several noteworthy changes related to the employment process, but perhaps the most significant is that it prohibits employers from requiring applicants to provide their salary history … [Read more...] about Why the new Massachusetts law matters, regardless of where your firm is located
Risk management
Avoid these tricky ADA pitfalls when hiring staff
Every manager is aware of the wider doorways, lever handles, curb cuts and so on required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). And every manager is aware of providing accommodations for employees. But not every manager is aware of the less obvious ADA requirements that apply to electronic job applications, says Beth Loy, PhD, principal consultant with the Job … [Read more...] about Avoid these tricky ADA pitfalls when hiring staff
What to do when you suspect substance abuse in the firm
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio He's one of your best litigators, but is he worth the risks he takes that could backfire on the practice—or are there ways to mitigate those risks? Rumors abound fueled by his erratic behavior and the behavior changes that his regular trips to the bathroom create. You suspect substance abuse, but if you tackle these problems, will you … [Read more...] about What to do when you suspect substance abuse in the firm
Who’s the most prepared for the future? Survey results may surprise you
When it comes to preparing for the future, Millennial small-business owners are seemingly the most concerned generation in recent history. They are more likely than Gen X or Baby Boomers to have plans for natural disasters, retirement benefits, cyberattacks, and even business succession. Those Millennial generation facts stem from Nationwide's second annual Small Business … [Read more...] about Who’s the most prepared for the future? Survey results may surprise you
Are you still complacent about mobile security risks?
Organizations continue to fall short when it comes to protecting corporate data on mobile apps and devices, according to the Mobile Security and Risk Review, recently released by MobileIron. Mobile threats are on the rise but only 8% of companies are enforcing OS updates and less than 5% are using App Reputation or Mobile Threat Detection software. The second edition of the … [Read more...] about Are you still complacent about mobile security risks?
6 steps to prepare for an active shooter event in the workplace
Active shooter events are devastating and unpredictable, says Melissa Gonzalez Boyce, a legal editor for XpertHR. She also points out that, unfortunately, the frequency of these incidents has increased, and often occur in a place of business. "Due to recent events, I believe more organizations are seeing the need for policies to prepare their employees for such an … [Read more...] about 6 steps to prepare for an active shooter event in the workplace
Protect your firm from costly EEOC claims with these three layers of protection
To avoid the risks of employment law claims, an office needs three layers of protection, advises employment law attorney Peter T. Mavrick of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. They are: A handbook, A procedure for progressive discipline, and Candid reviews. With those three elements in place, the office is safe from just about any type of EEOC claims. Here's what each … [Read more...] about Protect your firm from costly EEOC claims with these three layers of protection
Is your firm’s sensitive data being sold on eBay?
Ecommerce sites are reselling used electronics without permanently erasing data from them, according to The Leftovers: A Data Recovery Study recently released by Blancco Technology Group. Based on an analysis of 200 second-hand hard disk drives and solid state drives purchased from eBay and Craigslist in the first quarter of 2016, 67 percent of the used drives contained … [Read more...] about Is your firm’s sensitive data being sold on eBay?
Five dangers in dealing with harassment complaints
As with firing, the rules are well known, yet employers still fall into the common violations that spawn claims of sexual harassment, says management consultant Joseph Godwin of F&H Solutions Group in Asheville, NC. Here are five areas that warrant attention. 1. No, it's not sour grapes Don't dismiss any complaint, particularly one from a fired or demoted employee, as sour … [Read more...] about Five dangers in dealing with harassment complaints
Follow these 7 guidelines to protect your firm’s digital data
According to a recent study, American business leaders are unprepared for the increased threat to information security that comes with flexible office environments. The 2016 Shred-it Security Tracker information security survey shows that leaders are not providing the protocols and training needed to ensure customer and competitive information remains secure in a mobile work … [Read more...] about Follow these 7 guidelines to protect your firm’s digital data