One need not look far to find turmoil, conflict, anger, and in some cases aggression in today’s climate. We can blame it on a lot of things, the George Floyd incident, the Coronavirus pandemic, or other reasons. We hear about shaming, the “cancel culture,” conservatives, liberals, and so on. These issues are dividing friends, families,…
HR Blog
Managers, How are you “Communicating” With Your Furloughed or Temporary Layoff Employees?
Nearly every survey of employee satisfaction and engagement reveals that employees value upper management two-way communication, and the relationship with their supervisor. So, how do you accomplish this with remote work, and furloughed employees? Before you answer, let’s think about a few facts. Communication has three parts: 7% is the words that you use (e-mail,…
Getting Ready to Re-Open Your Business?
Wanted to pass along some useful resources as you prepare to re-open your business. First, NYS will re-open regionally based on the attainment of certain health measures. Find that information here: https://lnkd.in/epcf9U6. Second, businesses will re-open in phases in those regions that are allowed to re-open. Find that information here: https://lnkd.in/e2tfNf4. Third, each employer should thoroughly document…
As You Re-Open, Time to Review Your Attendance Policies and Employee Handbook
We hope that the start of re-opening is a good sign for your business. As you begin to bring employees back to work, or as you look at ongoing remote work for members of your staff, the employment regulation landscape has changed drastically since the start of the pandemic shutdowns. Here in NYS, we have…
NYS WARN Act: One More Thing To Keep In Mind if Covid Forced Your Company To Furlough / Lay Off Staff
Employers, you need one more thing to worry about right now… NYS employers who have more than 50 full time employees, and are being affected by the governor’s orders to close restaurants, bars, casinos, movie theaters, stores, reduce on-site staff first by 50%, then by 75% just a few hours later, may be facing the…
I Am Ready to Re-Open! As a Manager, What Should I be Doing to Make Sure My Employees are Ready to Re-Open?
I find it exciting that more and more conversations and news stories are talking about re-opening the economy. I know that I’m ready to get back “out there” and start meeting people again. I have my PPE, I’m ready to go! Maybe you have been able to keep your business open, or maybe you have been able…
I Knew This Day Was Coming! How to Manage Employees Who Want to Use Coronavirus as a Reason Not to Come to Work.
And so, it begins. Had my first client call today with an employee who wants to work from home because of Coronavirus fears. Mind you, nobody at her place of work has been sick, or tested positive for Coronavirus. She isn’t sick, and is not claiming to be sick. This is a manufacturing facility, too,…
NYS Sexual Harassment Requirements for Employers: Don’t Just Comply Because It’s the Law, Comply Because it is the Right Thing To Do
How does the New York State Sexual Harassment Policy and Training Rules for Employers change the workplace in New York State? Truthfully, it depends. Good companies have had policies, investigation procedures and training programs in place for decades, that’s right – decades. But the landscape has changed, so employers, even the ones with good policies…
The Building Blocks that Allow HR to Become a Strategic Function
Any number of magazine articles and publications argue Human Resources (HR) should be “at the table” as a key part of corporate strategy. While that is true, I believe that it is a position that is earned in a very logical progression within an organization. But what is this progression? A helpful model is Maslow’s…
The Albany Law Prohibiting Inquiries Regarding Salary Can Be an Opportunity
The recent announcement of a law in Albany County that prohibits employers from inquiring about a job applicant’s wage history is really an opportunity for employers to take control of this topic. Instead of guessing at how much to pay an applicant, or instead of relying on a “free” wage information web page, consider developing…