Updated daily, the HR News home page is your one-stop shop for the latest news and featured articles. This page compiles top staff-written and external news of general interest to HR, plus major stories in the HR Disciplines.
So Long, Farewell: Securing Effective Release Agreements
By June D. Bell 2/4/2015
When workers are laid off or let go from their jobs, a prudent employer will send them on their way with a document that’s worth its weight in gold: a separation or severance agreement.
A carefully crafted release agreement that complies with state and federal law provides some extra cash to departing employees while giving employers confidence that they’ve headed off the likelihood of costly, time-consuming claims and lawsuits.
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Work-Sharing Programs Expanded in 13 States
By Roy Maurer 2/4/2015
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) awarded nearly $38 million to 13 states on Jan. 29, 2015, to develop or expand work-sharing programs, also known as short-time compensation programs.
Work-sharing programs enable employers contemplating layoffs to temporarily reduce work hours for a group of employees as an alternative during hard economic times.
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Are You in Compliance with OSHA’s Poster Requirements?
By Roy Maurer 2/4/2015
Employers are required to display a poster prepared by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that informs workers of the protections afforded them under the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act.
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Four Steps to Effective Performance Management
By D. Albert Brannen © Fisher & Phillips 2/4/2015
Getting the most out of employees has always challenged employers. It is particularly difficult in today’s highly regulated business environment with increased global competition and changing employee attitudes. Performance management is not just about dealing with the poor performers. Instead, it’s a more holistic process that begins with getting the right people, setting employee expectations, coaching employees, and ultimately dismissing the poor performers or employees that do not fit into the organization.
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Flexible Mobility Policies Key When Moving Talent to Africa
By Pamela Babcock 2/4/2015
JERSEY CITY, N.J.—Staffing positions in Africa with expatriates is challenging given security concerns, skyrocketing housing costs in some regions, limited education and medical options, and infrastructure issues. Flexible mobility policies and incentives that factor in these issues are key to creating successful assignments.
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DOL Takes Aim at Independent Contractor Misclassification
By Allen Smith 2/3/2015
Employers need to make sure workers aren’t being misclassified as independent contractors in the wake of vigorous U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) enforcement, according to Michael Moschel, an attorney with Bass, Berry & Sims in Nashville, Tenn.
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Not Just Millennials: Older Working Americans Struggle with Debt
More feel compelled to work past normal retirement age
By Stephen Miller, CEBS 2/3/2015
A larger share of older American workers and their families have debt loads that are considered problematic, according to a January 2015 report from the nonprofit Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI).
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