Are you moving with the #MeToo Movement? Read More
Category: Human Resources
Hiring Iowa Teens This Summer
It’s almost spring break time in Iowa, thank heavens! Which means longer days, warmer weather (hopefully) and students starting to look for jobs in anticipation of the spring/summer months. Read More
Harassment Training = Positive Change
Workplace sexual harassment was a serious issue long before the recent national dialogue, but the spotlight on the issue has caused many organizations to take a fresh look at their anti-harassment training, policies and practices. Read More
Handbook Checkup
Your employee handbook is an important asset for your company, providing new and even longtime staff members with the details on your corporate policies, office rules and company culture. Because this is an item that will be seen and utilized by everyone in the organization, it’s important to revisit and update your handbook on a regular basis. An outdated handbook can be a liability. The first of the year is a perfect time to revisit and revise.
‘Tis The Season, To Know Your Gift Policy
The end of the year is a time for celebration and festivities. But it can also be a time when questions arise in the workplace about the appropriateness of gifts from vendors and clients. This is a good opportunity for managers to review gift policies with all employees.
Performance Management Process; Is it working hard for you?
Performance reviews encompass more than an individual employee’s career path. Read More
Employee Healthcare! Do you know what your employee’s really want?
Benefit Open Enrollment meetings happen once a year and many employers go through this process bracing themselves for (what can be) dreadful news. Usually the message is, “your health premiums are going up”! Do you customize your benefits to fit the needs of your staff? Take the time to find out what your employees really want!
What do you know about FMLA?
The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires employers to grant up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year to individuals recovering from a medical condition, caring for sick family members, or following the birth or adoption of a child under the age of 18. This act covers private sector companies with 50 or more employees. Although this law seems to be so confusing, many answers are found within the FMLA regulations found at www.dol/fmla.
I have an employee who performs two different jobs for my organization—should I allow this?
You can do this as long as you are paying them overtime for those hours worked over 40. Calculating overtime in these situations can be tricky, therefore, I encourage you to contact your HR Consultant for guidance. Read More
What is your definition of a professional dress code?
With the changing of seasons comes changes in the workplace along with changes in dress code. This is the time of year when employees typically stretch the dress code policies to try new styles and wardrobe trends. Consistent and uniform enforcement not only reduces potential liability exposure, but also prevents the slow deterioration of your dress code policy in the workplace.
More changes effective July 1, 2018! Are you keeping up?
The Iowa’s statute regulating drug and alcohol testing for private sector employers has changed. For employers who conduct alcohol and/or drug testing… this impacts you! Please read on.
Do your personnel file folders hold the correct documents? Keeping Personnel Files Confidential
Personnel files should be treated as private company records belonging to you and your individual employees. You don’t want to allow just anyone in the company to rummage through the performance evaluations, salaries, and job applications of coworkers. Keep employee files in a locked cabinet. Make them available only to those people in your company who have a legitimate business need to access the files.
Do you have a strategy to prevent harassment in your organization?
With so many stories in the news that have heightened the awareness of sexual harassment, employers are showing concerns about whether they may be at risk of similar claims. There are three key components in having an effective anti-harassment strategy and they are detailed below. Read More
Now that spring has sprung are you considering hiring an Intern for the summer? Should your Intern be paid?
Some employers think it’s not necessary, reasoning that Interns are still in school, live with their parents, receive valuable experience and may even drive their own new cars to work. These employers believe using unpaid Interns is a smart financial move that allows their companies to save money on wages. However, this line of thinking has become risky based on recent court decisions and the filing of new lawsuits.