Besides being a brilliant war strategist, Gen. Douglas MacArthur also proved a gifted administrator and charismatic figure. To guide his own behavior as a leader, he...
You don't need to let an employee set a bad example by trying to force concessions from you that aren't required in a collective-bargaining agreement or employment...
If your organization pared back during the economic slide, you may be joining other employers that are rebuilding their staffing levels. More employers expect to pick...
After being burned a few times early in life by “rogues of dubious character,” Benjamin Franklin started finding himself more attracted to practical,...
Issue: Should you set a probation period for new employees? Risk: It can jeopardize your employment-at-will rights by implying that once the period ends, employees...
Issue: Should you provide notice about commission-formula changes that could alter employees' pay? Risk: If you rework pay formulas behind employees' backs, you could...
Standardized replies save you time but can cost you good will. Create templates and common paragraphs that you can pop into an e-mail or letter, then easily...
As a manager, you need to let employees express their religious beliefs while, at the same time, making sure those expressions don’t infringe on the rights of...
Overly friendly staff members can pose a real dilemma for managers. How can you keep a professional distance and avoid the appearance of favoritism, yet still make sure...
Issue: Can you tell an employee to take a bath? Risk: You risk a discrimination claim because, unlike other grooming-policy issues, odor lies in the eye (or nose) of the...
Thorough background checks can help you defeat any negligent hiring claim. But what if applicants' background checks come up clean, yet they begin displaying...
Issue: Is pursuing a graduate degree worth the effort? If so, which one should you pursue? Benefits: An advanced degree can build your HR and business know-how, plus...
Issue: When can you refuse to rehire a former employee who may be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? Benefit: You don't have to rehire people who...
Issue: Employees who miss work frequently often show predictable patterns. Benefit: Knowing which people are likely to avoid work can help cut costly absenteeism. ...
Issue: Poorly managed disability-management programs and rising costs can reduce your organization's profits. Benefit: By making disability programs more efficient, you...
Sir Ernest Shackleton never did get to walk across the South Pole. The explorer’s huge ego had betrayed him when he set off for Antarctica in the dead of winter,...
