SHRM Blog

It's tough to prove age bias after getting caught sleeping on the job

by Eric B. MeyerOn July 19, 2012 0 comments

I was reading this Third Circuit decision yesterday about an employee who got demoted for sleeping on the job, and all I could think of was Homer Simpson. For not unlike Homer J., a nuclear safety technician, this employee was responsible for monitoring his plant's equipment to prevent malfunctions that could result in explosions, property damage, injuries, and fatalities. Except, unlike Homer, the former employee was allegedly found sleeping on the floor of his office, with a pillow, blankets, and an alarm clock nearby. Now that's what I call an all-out Costanza! All that's missing here...

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Nextchat: Next Generation Leadership

by Mary Kaylor, SHRM-CPOn July 18, 2012 0 comments

Today’s workplace is experiencing a revolution. Technology and the introduction of new methods of communicating, networking and collaborating have changed the way we do business and have created new challenges for leadership.

It's also a transformative era for the human resources profession. We’ve entered a unique epoch in history where four generations are intersecting in the workplace. Each carries with it deeply held convictions, attitudes, ideas and expectations about the value and meaning of work.

Of course, these challenges will exist any time a new generation comes of age, but younger professionals today have markedly different philosophies about...

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Five Ingredients For Virtual Success

by Rick LepsingerOn July 18, 2012 0 comments

"Globally linked virtual teams will transform every government and company in the world. Any of our peers who don’t do it won’t survive."

-John Chambers, CEO, Cisco
 

Rising travel costs, coupled with the global dispersion of talent, are just some of the reasons that organizations have migrted toward telecommuting and virtual work.  While numerous organizations have made significant investments in virtual teams and the technology to support them, a surprising number of virtual teams are not reaching their full potential.
 
OnPoint Consulting surveyed 48 virtual teams across industries...

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Executive Book Club: July 2012

by SHRM StaffOn July 17, 2012 0 comments

Recognized as a leading expert on executive compensation, Robin A. Ferracone combines her own 20 years of experience with interviews with executives and compensation committees to provide a clear examination of and guidance on determining pay packages, actions, and designs in Fair Pay, Fair Play.

Ferracone is founder and executive chair of Farient Advisors LLC and founder and CEO of RAF Capital LLC. She is a 30-year veteran of the executive compensation consulting world and has worked at Farient Advisors, Mercer, SCA Consulting, and Booz Allen &...

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Eight Ways To Run Great Meetings

by Dan RockwellOn July 17, 2012 0 comments

Poorly run meetings start in the wrong place and end up rushed before they’re done.

Right place: Leave inconsequential items for the end. Deal with big items at the beginning. I’m tempted to check off a few quick agenda items before digging into the meat of meetings. It’s seductive but ineffective and inefficient.

Don’t prioritize insignificant agenda items by placing them first.

Starting with insignificant issues raises their significance. Trivial items frequently take longer than expected. Additionally, you’re wasting your best moments on least important issues.

Better to rush through less consequential items – at the...

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#SHRM12 Social Recruiting Session Wrap: Don't be quick to judge

by Steve BoeseOn July 16, 2012 0 comments

The last dispatch from me from #SHRM12, aka, the SHRM Annual Conference & Exposition which wrapped up yesterday from Atlanta.
 
Aside: which major industry event will be the first one to actually adopt as its 'official' name the event hash tag? It would be kind of cool to see SHRM or some other organization to just drop the tired and formal sounding 'Conference and Exposition' part and just go with #SHRM12 as the event name.
 
Where was I? Oh, yeah, wrapping up the final day at #SHRM12 which for me was highlighted by...

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Is Business a Combination of Sport and War?

by John BellOn July 13, 2012 0 comments

The notion of business as a combination of sport and war was attributed to Emile Herzog (1885-1967), a French author who used the pen name, Andre Maurois. I’m going to admit at the outset that I was a strong proponent of Herzog’s concept for most of my career. However, now that I look back from the CEO afterlife, I realize that this view need not be pervasive.

The man who preceded me in the corner office lived by the credo that a company’s success wasn’t enough; the other guy had to fail. That may sound extreme. The truth...

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Economic Woes Yield a Talent Search Lacking Urgency

by Joe CoombsOn July 12, 2012 0 comments

America’s got talent. So why is it so hard to find?

Maybe it wouldn’t be great theater, but why not develop another reality-based television show based on marriage—one that would tie the knot between those elusive skilled workers and job openings at thriving U.S. employers.

You can have your manufactured pop stars and your weight-loss champions. And please, keep your dancing celebrities. Give me something that’s a little more connected to reality—the continuing struggles of those who make up the U.S. labor market, showing how the short- and long-term effects of the latest recession are truly...

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I Would Die For You

by Lars SchmidtOn July 11, 2012 0 comments

“I would die for you.” Those were the closing remarks of Colonel David Sutherland, former Special Assistant to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and career warrior, as he closed his speech to the RecruitDC attendees last week. For the 300+ of us in the room his words hung in the air and lingered long after he left the stage. He had just given a moving 30 minute speech about the value of hiring veterans and the need for a trinity of support: public, private, government for returning vets. His presentation focused on the Warrior’s Ethos, the foundation of...

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Sign Up Now for 2012 SHRM Seminars!

by SHRM StaffOn July 10, 2012 0 comments

Make an impact in your career with SHRM Seminars!

SHRM has programs that will challenge you and help your career grow. Whether you're a newcomer or seasoned HR professional, make sure your professional development this summer includes one of our exceptional programs. SHRM has trained thousands of HR professionals worldwide and knows what goes into succeeding in the profession.  

On-site registration is available but space is limited. Expedite your registration today by registering online.

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