Workplace Safety
It was a misty, cold and dreary fall afternoon in 1980 in Western New York; pretty typical for that time of year just ahead of the snow for which the region is known. It was early on in my automotive career and I was working at a 4×4 and Jeep salvage yard, rebuilding the manual
$47,476 is the New $23,660
On Dec. 1, 2016, about 4.2 million exempt employees in the United States will become non-exempt. And some of those employees probably work for you. The History of the Fair Labor Standards Act Enacted in 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) mandates things like a federal minimum wage and requires overtime pay for all
Performing Background Checks
While conducting reference checks on potential employees is a sensible way of managing your business risk, employers must carefully follow legal limits on the type and extent of background checks they can conduct. First, when making inquiries into an applicant’s past, ask for the consent of the applicant and get approval in writing. Inform the
Problem Employees
Managing difficult employees and holding them accountable in a litigation-happy environment often feels akin to walking a tightrope while wearing a blindfold. And while not every under-performing or disgruntled employee will take legal action, companies can discourage litigation by instituting and consistently following good discipline and performance policies. Two important management tools for handling challenging
Bridgestone Hires New HR Chief
Jan Steinmetz has joined Bridgestone Americas as the company’s new chief human resources officer. Effective Dec. 7, Steinmetz will lead the tiremaker’s international human resource programming for nearly 55,000 teammates. She will report to Gary Garfield, CEO and president for Bridgestone Americas and will work out of the company’s Nashville-based headquarters. “Jan joins our team
The Payday Polka
Payday. While it is music to an employee’s ears, payday presents logistical and legal challenges for your company. One of the chief challenges is ensuring your employees are paid properly under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Why does FLSA matter to you? Money. Improperly paying employees opens you up to potentially massive liability from a
Internal Investigations
The first time you learn of an employee’s complaint probably isn’t the day your company is served with a lawsuit. In most cases, the alleged victim complains to the company first. While an initial internal complaint provides an opportunity to solve the problem and limit your legal exposure, all too often an employer drops the
Using HR Consultants – How to Effectively Outsource HR Functions
Human Resources is often so intimately involved in the day to day operations of a company that a lot of employers wonder if they could ever effectively outsource it. Small business can not only effectively outsource HR to a managed services team, but can run a stronger company and more productive workforce with an external
Your Employees Are Not Expendable
This article has a strange title, right? Your employees aren’t like a faucet. My dad always used to say that. It wasn’t a concept I grasped immediately early in my career. However, I’ve come to realize how truly important it is. As the decision maker in your shop, there are many levers and knobs you
Auto Careers: How to Answer Common Interview Questions
Landing a job takes perseverance, diligence, and careful planning. A critical component on the road to landing your dream job in the auto career industry is the interview process. Nailing the interview doesn’t happen easily – and shouldn’t be taken lightly. It involves thoughtful preparation. Not sure where to start? Here are some tips to
Talent Development
Let’s face it, ours is a very dynamic industry. Vehicles are constantly becoming more technical and customers ever more demanding. For this reason, individuals working in the tire and service industry must continue to hone their skills to meet the changing needs of customers and their vehicles. Your people are your most valuable asset and
Walking the Social Media Tightrope
In today’s digital workplace, few issues cause more confusion than social media. Numerous laws are relevant to social media, ranging from Title VII to the Fair Credit Reporting Act to state-specific laws barring requests for applicants’ personal passwords. However, employers can navigate the social media minefield by identifying and addressing the risks. Screening of Applicants
