Easy Small Business HR

Are You a Micro Manager? How to Take That “Micro” Out of Your Style

Howard — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:00:36 +0000

Nit-picky. Anxious. Overbearing. These are just a few of the associations many workers make with a supervisor who is a micro manager. And while to some those qualities indicate a manager who pays attention to detail and wants the team to do well, in reality, they don’t create an effective management style. In fact, a [...]

Supervisors Toolkit: How To Supervise: What Your Boss Never Told You Before You Took The Job- A Step-by-Step Guide For New and Seasoned Managers. http://www.HowToBeASupervisor.com Your Toolkit Includes: 1. Three versions of the ebook, (Kindle/Nook/PDF) 2. Twelve months of free access to G5 Leadership webniar series 3. Exclusive Supervisor Tips video http://www.HowToBeASupervisor.com

Tips For Hiring an Intern Legally

Howard — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:47:50 +0000

Done correctly, taking on or hiring an intern is a win-win proposition. The students gain valuable work experience and the chance to prove that they’re worth considering for full time work (either at your company or elsewhere). Your company benefits from adding creative talent at low or no cost. Here’s the thing, though: There are [...]

ESBHR Podcast Interview: Field Tested: Recruiting, Managing, and Retaining Veterans With Emily King

Dianne — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:00:26 +0000

(37 mins, 41 secs) Today’s podcast features Emily King, Vice President of Military Transitions with the Buller Group and author of the book “Field Tested: Recruiting, Managing, and Retaining Veterans“. Emily sheds light on not only the best practices for hiring and retaining veterans in the workforce, but also highlights the challenges that are germane [...]

The 8 Warning Signs of an Unhappy Employee

Howard — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:55:06 +0000

Transcript of HR Podcast #28: The 8 Warning Signs of an Unhappy Employee Listen to the audio (7 mins, 39 secs) This article focuses on 8 clues that you want to pay attention to to be aware whether your employees are unhappy. These are 8 workplace behaviors that signify that employees may be disengaged or just [...]

3 Strategies to Help Small Business Owners Address Tardiness

Howard — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:38:18 +0000

The office culture in any given small business is one of a kind. Part of the romanticism, in fact, of starting a small business, or working for one, is that the constricting rules that apply in the corporate world don’t necessarily apply in the small business. Dress code is often thrown out the window, e-mail [...]

Tardiness in the Workplace: Do’s and Don’ts for Supervisors

Howard — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:46:00 +0000

$3 billion. That’s how much in productivity experts estimate American companies lose to tardiness in the workplace every year. In fact, a whopping 20% of workers admitted they were late at least once a week, according to a CareerBuilder.com survey. Chronic lateness bites into the bottom line, making tardiness solutions a priority for supervisors who [...]

HR 101: Interview Lingo: Words You Need to Know – Revisited

Dianne — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:26:23 +0000

Ever wonder what the difference is between “terminating” an employee and “firing” an employee, or if there is any difference at all? Easy Small Business HR’s “HR Dictionary” takes the mystery out some of the human resources jargon by highlighting some of the definitions of words most often used by those in the position to hire and manage staff. Some basic terms used by HR professionals when interviewing candidates: Behavioral Interview – an interview technique that requires that the person being interviewed provide specific examples that support their responses.

ESBHR Podcast #29: Five Employee Management Strategies To Start Using ASAP

Dianne — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 04:28:30 +0000

(6 mins, 59 secs) In this HR podcast episode, I discuss five strategies that you can incorporate into your management “toolkit” right now that will strengthen your employee management skills. These tips will shore up your confidence when managing staff. The recommended resource referenced in this podcast: How to Supervise Toolkit. Get more tips on [...]

Managing Workplace Stress – A Supervisor’s Go-To Guide

Howard — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:39:30 +0000

American workers put in the longest hours of any industrialized country, according to the International Labor Organization. That’s probably no surprise to you as a manager, especially when you consider that downsizing and budget cuts often mean more work is shouldered by fewer team members. But that’s also made a priority. So how can supervisors [...]

ESBHR Special Podcast: The “How To Supervise” Manager’s Toolkit

Dianne — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:36:11 +0000

(3 mins, 8 seconds) Based on your continued interest in learning the best supervisor practices, I’ve spent the last few weeks writing a new e-book called: How to Supervise- What Your Boss Never Told You Before You Took the Job, a step–by–step leadership ebook guide on how to best manage employees; from hiring best practices, [...]

Increasing Productivity in the Workplace – A How-to Guide

Howard — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:44:34 +0000

From mediating between two arguing co-workers to setting a master schedule, an effective manager juggles responsibilities like a circus pro. But at the heart of what a supervisor is “supposed to do” is the idea of building a team that’s as productive and, therefore, as profitable as possible. Here are 9 how to increase productivity [...]

MYOB Radio Interview: Blending Human Resources and Entrepreneurship

Dianne — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 07:00:48 +0000

Here’s an interview where the tables are turned and I’m the one actually being questioned! I was fortunate to be featured on Money Matters at Mind Your Own Business, (MYOB) Radio, WBNW 1120 AM in Massachusetts. We discussed the work that I’m currently doing in human resources in diversity and my HR work with small [...]

ESBHR Podcast #28: The 8 Warning Signs of an Unhappy Employee

Dianne — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:48:53 +0000

(7 mins, 39secs) Unhappy employees. Being aware of changes in behavior or performance is important as a manager if you want to stay abreast of workplace issues and have a highly functioning team. In Episode 28, I’ll discuss the 8 telltale signs of employee dissatisfaction. Read the transcript. Watch the video. Get more tips on [...]

How to Deal with Difficult Employees – Quick Guide

Howard — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 06:16:50 +0000

Looking for tips on how to deal with difficult employees? Whether you’re charged with supervising a constantly late worker or a customer service rep with an unfriendly attitude, you know that problem employees take their toll on the business. Morale suffers. Productivity suffers. And, as a manager, you probably suffer, too. Check out this quick [...]

How to Create an Unbiased Holiday Season in Your Office

Howard — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 01:30:07 +0000

As the holiday season approaches, all businesses must determine how they will recognize and celebrate this time of year. Unfortunately, the process of celebrating or observing the various holidays at work can become sticky from an HR perspective, as the season is based around religious dates. It is important to create an office atmosphere that [...]

Can Social Media Contribute to a Hostile Work Environment Charge?

Howard — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:47:36 +0000

A Tweet is just a Tweet, right? Not if that Tweet is part of a series of harassing messages or interactions that one employee directs at another. As a supervisor, you’re likely well aware of the factors that define a hostile work environment allegation. It might be an employee’s persistent racially-motivated jokes or a supervisor [...]

Sculpting Positive Self-Expectations in Your Employees

Howard — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 01:43:38 +0000

In ancient Greek mythology there was a sculptor named Pygmalion who fell in love with a statue he carved, which then came to life in response to his love for it. What does this myth have to do with managing your employees? Everything. Your employees come from diverse backgrounds, with different histories, psychologies, personalities, baggage, [...]

Easy and Cheap Ways to Build Employee Morale

Howard — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 01:12:28 +0000

When you’re trying to create a productive and cooperative workplace, improving employee morale is key. When employees are happy, they’ll want to stay with the company, be more productive, and offer ideas worthy of PhDs, which can help improve the business even more. Perks are a great way to do this, but unfortunately not every [...]

Volunteering to Build Multi-Generational Teams

Howard — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 01:56:52 +0000

Articles and books about managing multi-age workforces are legion. Most cite one or two very popular works about the characteristics of each named age-cohort. Many even offer advice on how to lead teams with a diverse mixture of generations represented, but of all this counsel, instances of over-generalization abound and specific strategies for blending could [...]

The Parental Bereavement Act: What Employers Need to Know

Howard — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:03:43 +0000

What is the Parental Bereavement Act? As a supervisor, you’re already familiar with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which provides eligible workers in specific situations with up to 12 weeks of protected unpaid leave and continuation of health insurance coverage. For example, FMLA protects employees caring for a newborn or bonding with an [...]

Things That Your Staff Do That Drive New Hires Away

Howard — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:06:09 +0000

Employee turnover is a data point that every manager wants to be conscious of no matter the size of your company. After all, who wants to spend the time energy, and money that it takes to hire the right candidates only to see them walk out the door a short time later. There are a [...]

Are You Promoting Your Employees for All the Wrong Reasons? The 411 on Employee Promotions

Howard — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 07:00:35 +0000

Supporting and encouraging career development of your staff undoubtedly goes a long way towards increasing employee satisfaction and engagement. And in most cases, it can certainly make you look good! But is your decision to move forward with flawed? Here are some reasons why you don’t want to promote you employees: As a knee jerk [...]

Do You Engage in Workplace Retaliation Without Knowing It?

Howard — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:06:09 +0000

Have you retaliated against an employee? Most would likely answer “Of course not!” After all, you know it’s illegal and, what’s more, you’re probably a pretty nice person, too. But the fact is that, in the eyes of federal law, supervisors may be engaged in workplace retaliation without even realizing it. Defining workplace retaliation. This happens when an employer takes action against an employee because the worker engaged in “protected conduct.” Protected conduct covers a range of activities, from complaining internally about sexual harassment to participating in a hearing or investigation regarding the employer.

Four Pillars: What It Takes to Succeed as a Leader

Howard — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:55:19 +0000

There are many traits that support an individual’s success when assuming a leadership or executive role. Clearly, there are numerous books, studies, and entire programs built around building leadership capacity. Here are four basic pillars that serve as a foundation for strong, capable leaders: 1. Skills. These are the raw capabilities of communication, presenting, negotiating, [...]

Bullying or Bantering – How to ID Workplace Bullying

Howard — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:29:33 +0000

Bullying or bantering. Can you tell the difference between the two? As a supervisor, you know it can be tricky sometimes to determine what is genuine workplace bullying and what is typical colleague bantering. This guide will give you a workplace bullying definition you can use to create a happier, more productive workplace. What does [...]

Management Missteps: 5 Imperatives for Hiring Your Next Employee

Howard — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:46:47 +0000

Hiring new employees is no easy task. Although the recession has created a large pool of overly qualified candidates in nearly every business sector, you may worry about taking on experienced workers at lower pay than they’re used to since a better offer from another company (which is bound to come along eventually) could leave [...]

When Cupid Strikes Co-Workers – The Fallout from Office Affairs

Howard — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:06:43 +0000

Love is in the air. At least in many offices it is. With employees spending so much time at work it’s no wonder it’s become an incubator for office affairs. About 41% of Americans between ages 25 and 40 admitted to at least one office romance, according to a survey from Lawyers.com and Harris Interactive. [...]

How to Manage the Multigenerational Workforce

Howard — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:05:43 +0000

The multigenerational workforce: If you supervise one then you know each generation brings its own set of strengths and values to the workplace. But this diversity often presents challenges for a manager charged with overseeing the newest members of the workforce, Generation Y, and the oldest, Baby Boomers and Traditionalists. So and productively? Let’s start [...]

An Employee Undergoes Gender Change – What Should Managers Do?

Howard — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:46:48 +0000

How do you manage the situations created when an employee undergoes a gender change? No matter what your personal views on the matter may be, as a supervisor, it’s your job to help the team member transition within the workplace and minimize the impact the employee sex change has on staff and productivity. What is [...]

Intercultural Management – How to Manage Diversity in the Workplace

Howard — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:06:50 +0000

The workplace is going global, even for small businesses. As a result, it’s not uncommon for managers to find themselves charged with supervising an increasingly intercultural workforce, whether it’s overseeing employees from a particular culture or working with a consultant from the foreign home office. So what does effective and productive intercultural management look like? [...]

Interviewing Tips For Startups

Howard — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 01:00:09 +0000

Today’s guest post is from Anita Campbell, CEO of BizSugar. Firing an employee can be the best thing you do for your company. Of course, it’s better to just hire good people in the first place. But sometimes people just don’t catch on, and you spend an inordinate amount of time correcting their work. When [...]

Murky Overtime Pay Policies – Ensure They Don’t Expose You to Liability

Howard — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:17:42 +0000

In an environment of shrinking budgets, it’s not uncommon for businesses to dictate that unauthorized overtime is not allowed and workers must complete their tasks during regular working hours. On the surface, it seems like a fairly straightforward policy, but it can send mixed messages about overtime pay and hours. Overtime pay violations are a [...]

Guest Post: Knowing When and Where to Cut Costs with New Employees

Howard — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:00:08 +0000

If your small business is getting back into the swing of hiring new employees, you might be looking for means to cut back on the cost of hiring these new employees. You need extra people to help with your business, but your business may not be able to operate with the full cost of hiring [...]

Dealing with Poor Performance at Work – How NOT to Manage Poor Performers

Howard — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 02:18:08 +0000

Let’s face it: dealing with poor performance at work is probably your least favorite part of the day. But in an efficient and effective way? This guide will share what not to do when managing employees who aren’t fulfilling their responsibilities. Ignore the situation. When an employee doesn’t do his or her task, it creates [...]

When the Workplace Bully is the Manager – 3 Tips

Howard — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:31:10 +0000

As a manager, you may already have experience supervising team members who bully others with behavior that is intimidating, humiliating, or just downright mean. But what can you do if the bully who’s dragging down the workplace is a fellow manager? The bully might belittle or embarrass her own charges. Or perhaps the berates his [...]

How Not to Manage – Views from an Employee

Howard — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:12:58 +0000

If you’re looking to the net for ways to establish yourself as a manager then a big thumbs up from this author for trying to improve your style. But be warned, there are many management mantras out there that will do their best to feed the ego and blind you with long words but not [...]

Managing Diversity in the Workplace – A Supervisor’s Guide

Howard — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 02:43:06 +0000

If you were to take a snapshot of the American workforce now, it would look very different than it did just two generations ago. Today’s workplace features a variety of employees, from women to immigrants, from Millennials to Boomers. But does present challenges. Employees come into the work environment with a vast range of expectations, [...]

Tips for Handling Problem Employees

Howard — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 01:44:55 +0000

When confronted with problematic employees, the first thing to do is assess the situation. If you take time to collect the information about the “who, what, where, why and how’s” of the problem it will make it easier to find a balanced approach to the best solution. When confronted with difficult situations, consider the following [...]

3 Ways To Be Accountable

Howard — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 01:00:34 +0000

Most business executives relish the perceived power behind the word accountability. For employees accountability represents either a welcomed set of expectations that drive performance, or it becomes a marker that conjures up concerns of not being able to meet the expectation. As business leaders, we are constantly trying to get the team to deliver. We [...]

Measuring Employee Performance- A Guide For Employers

Howard — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 02:50:21 +0000

Managing employee performance is a day-to-day task, not a once-a-year obligation. These tips can not only help you determine where a worker falls on a rating scale but also help you take the next steps for both underachievers and top performers. Before the Appraisal Period: Putting more thought and effort into the initial performance standards [...]

Common Employee Management Mistakes That Employers Make

Howard — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 02:25:42 +0000

is not an exact science. At the same time, research proves that certain manager mistakes can have a devastating impact on employee morale, operational productivity, and the company’s bottom line. Have you been trapped by one of these six common employee management mistakes? 1. Managing the Masses Do you view “the department” as a single [...]

How To Choose HR Services: Tips For Small Businesses

Howard — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 02:24:28 +0000

” instead of your own office? If your business does not have an HR professional on staff or an HR services provider waiting on call, you could be shortchanging your company and spreading your talents too thin. HR specialists can help with a number of tasks, the critical HR areas include hiring, employee relations, benefits, [...]

What You Need To Include In Your New Employee Orientation Program

Howard — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 06:00:58 +0000

Have you wondered why some potential superstars show up to work the first day and never return? A is the crucial link between this new employee, her supervisor, and the rest of the organization. Research shows that if that link is not established starting on day one, retention can drop by as much as 25%. [...]

How To Write An Honest Employee Performance Review

Howard — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 03:08:32 +0000

You want to tell the truth, but sometimes the truth is hard. What do you do when you need to , good or bad? Importance of Honesty . Some employees are easily offended, others become enraged at low scores or final warnings, and both managers and workers can feel awkward giving/receiving praise and punishment. Keep [...]

Why You Should Care About Workforce Management

Howard — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:13:19 +0000

You deal with workforce management every day, but you may not have a specific strategy or goals in writing. By defining a plan and putting proven tools in place, your business can take an active approach to continuing its growth, attracting additional talent, and increasing employee productivity for minimal costs. Companies like yours have high [...]

Does Your Business Need An Employee Confidentiality Agreement?

Howard — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 03:39:04 +0000

How would you react if you found out that your former employee revealed crucial information about your company to your closest rival in the industry? Unfortunately, this can and does occur. One way to be proactive and to set expectations around how proprietary company information should be handled is to have a employee confidentiality agreement. [...]

Guest Post: The New Background Check – Using Social Media To Evaluate Job Candidates

Howard — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:34:22 +0000

For hiring managers and human resource departments, background checks can be an important part of choosing the best candidate for an open position. The standard background check includes items like driving and financial records, employment history and personal references. But as digital interactions become more common, social media gives hiring managers and HR professionals another [...]

Working Parents- What Employers Can Do To Ease The Load

Howard — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 01:22:52 +0000

You want your business to retain talented, productive individuals, but you may be overlooking the needs of an important segment of your workforce: working parents. can have a dramatic impact on morale and performance. How the Challenges of Working Parents Can Impact Your Business The obligations of raising healthy, responsible members of society can overwhelm [...]

Guest Post: 4 Benefits of Keeping in Touch with Former Employees

Howard — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:00:58 +0000

When a trusted and long-time employee quits, moving on to bigger and better things, your work environment may suffer a few days of sadness. Soon enough, however, a replacement comes in, and the world moves on. As an employer, it may initially make more sense to focus on your employees who are here to stay, [...]

How Lack of a Dress Code Policy Can Impact Your Business

Dianne — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 02:33:31 +0000

Do you really need a dress code policy? Short answer: absolutely! When developing or tweaking your businesses’ policy, you’ll want to take the following into consideration: •The type of business. •The clientele. •How often employees meet clients. •What, if any, dress code is currently in your employee handbook.Although the type of clothing that should be [...]

The Remote Workforce: Tips for How to Manage Employees

Dianne — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 08:00:24 +0000

Did you know that 45 million Americans work from home and another 24 million work from a client/customer work site? From to sales staff in the next state, supervisors increasingly find themselves tasked with learning how to manage employees who work somewhere other than the corporate office. And though employees who are is becoming increasingly [...]

Employee Theft Statistics and What You Can Do To Protect Your Business

Dianne — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 08:01:47 +0000

Transcript of HR Podcast Episode #27: Employee Theft Statistics and What You Can Do To Protect Your Business Listen to the audio (7 mins, 49 secs) An estimated 50 billion dollars are lost annually from US businesses due to . Stats show that, a whopping 75% of all employees have stolen from their employers at [...]

HR Podcast Episode #27: Employee Theft Statistics, and What You Can Do To Protect Your Business

Dianne — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 08:00:39 +0000

(7 mins, 49 secs) statistics bear out the fact that a whopping 75% of all employees have stolen from their employers at least once. In today’s HR Podcast episode, I share details about employee theft statistics and share with you what you can do to lessen your exposure to [...]

Handling Difficult Workplace Issues: How to Terminate an Employee

Dianne — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:07:30 +0000

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Few managers dread any task more than the hiring and firing of employees. The hiring process is long and full of unknowns, while the firing process adds layers of personal emotions to an already highly-charged situation. The Complete Hiring and Firing Handbook shows you how to take these difficult decisions and turn them into profitable and positive endeavors.State-by-State ResourcesQuick access to essential state agency' contact information on employment security and new hire reporting is at your fingertips.Recruitment ToolsFind better employees with job descriptions and applications that identify the worker you want.Employee HandbookKeep employment related problems to a minimum by crafting[Read More]

The Top 11 Reference Questions – Hire The Best Candidate

Howard — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:00:38 +0000

are a critical part of the employment process. In today’s job market, it’s likely that you’ll have more than one finalist for a position. There are a million questions you can ask, but here are the top eleven reference questions you should include in any . Including these questions will give structure to the interview, [...]

Gone Viral! How To Write Employee Performance Appraisals From Start To Finish

Dianne — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:01:22 +0000

Today, I’m sharing a re-published blog article that I wrote that went viral: How To Write Employee Performance Appraisals From Start To Finish. Supervisors and business owners recognize the importance of using some type of tool to evaluate employees. And although there recently has been a lot of buzz around just how effective employee reviews [...]

How To Reward Staff

Howard — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 16:35:52 +0000

Transcript of Podcast # 26: How To Reward Employees Listen to the audio (6 mins, 28 secs) Thanks for tuning in to Easy Small Business HR’s Employee Hiring and Managing Tips. Similar to episode #24, this podcast focuses on another very popular blog topic: how to reward staff. I’m thrilled that so many small business [...]

ESBHR Podcast # 26: How To Reward Employees

Dianne — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:00:45 +0000

Are you struggling to come up with ways to improve employee morale, increase employee motivation, and retain employees? One of the best, yet under-valued actions that you can take, whether you are the owner of a small business or a manager in a large corporation is reward your employees for a job well done. [...]

Why Your Company Needs Job Descriptions, Revisited

Dianne — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 08:00:51 +0000

HOW TO WRITE ONE IN 30 MINUTES OR LESS It may seem like an unnecessary step. You know what work needs to be done. Does putting the job down on paper really even matter? Absolutely! Five advantages to “putting it in writing”: 1. Helps you to clearly define the work that needs to be performed. No second-guessing or figuring what work needs to be done once the employee is hired. 2. Allows you to think about how the role interrelates with other positions within your company or organization, which in turn can eliminate work redundancy. 3. Creates transparency about your job expectations, which helps to significantly reduce the potential of making a “bad hire”.

The Quick 5 Step Hiring Process For Managers

Howard — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:41:43 +0000

Hiring the best starts with a . Here’s a quick 5 step guide that will help you to make better hiring decisions and ensure that your hiring process is a smooth one. Step 1: Define your company’s job requirements and create or update the job description. Without a clear idea in mind of what [...]

New Supervisor Survival Tips – How To Supervise Effectively

Howard — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 12:55:01 +0000

Transcript of ESBHR Podcast #25: New Supervisor Tips – How To Supervise Listen to the audio. Today’s podcast is based on an article that I wrote for new supervisors. New supervisor tips is a very popular search term on the Easy Small Business website so I wanted to be sure to create a podcast for [...]

ESBHR Podcast #25: New Supervisor Tips – How To Supervise

Dianne — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 08:23:46 +0000

Calling all new supervisors, (and experienced supervisors)! When you are new to supervising employees, learning how to supervise doesn’t always come naturally, but we’re here to help. Podcast Episode #25 focuses on 4 quick tips supervisor tips that will help contribute to your success if you are a new supervisor, and reinforce, or offer different [...]

Employee Handbook – The Top 9 Policies That Should Be Part Of Every Employee Handbook

Howard — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 08:00:58 +0000

Does your company have an employee handbook? If you don’t you should. An employee handbook serves three purposes. It highlights your expectations for the workplace, puts in writing any legal requirements requirements and sets employee guidelines for workplace practices and behavior in black and white. Even a bare bones employee handbook is better than no [...]

The Top 12 Bad Supervisor Practices

Dianne — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 08:00:47 +0000

This is probably my shortest post to date, but no less important for supervisors who want to continue to perfect their responsibilities as a supervisor. Here’s a quick list of the 12 top worst supervisor practices: 1. Avoids difficult workplace situations when they really should intercede in order to keep issues from escalating. 2. Does [...]

Family Medical Leave Act: What Every Business Needs To Know

Dianne — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:00:15 +0000

The Family Medical Leave Act, also known as FMLA is a law enacted in 1993 which states that qualified employees have the right to access an unpaid leave for a total of up to 12 weeks during any 12-month period, and in some circumstances, up to 26 weeks; (see “Recent Changes to the Family Medical Leave Act”). Certain employers are required to grant their employees access to unpaid leave due to the following reasons: *Caring for a child after Birth *The adoption of a child or becoming a Foster parent *The care of spouse, son, daughter, or parent with a serious health condition

8 Clues That Signal That You May Need To Change Your Management Style

Howard — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:13:30 +0000

Transcript of ESBHR Podcast #24: 8 Clues That Signal That You May Need To Change Your Management Style Listen to the audio. Supervising employees as we all know can be complicated. If you are faced with employees who are under-performing, or who are disruptive at work, it adds an additional burden to an already demanding job. [...]

ESBHR Podcast Episode #24: 8 Clues That Signal That You May Need To Change Your Management Style

Dianne — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 08:03:50 +0000

There are so many different styles of management. Did you know that your management style can influence how your employees perform? Do any of these behaviors sound familiar: * You have difficulty speaking with your staff about their challenges or goals ? * You’re just not interested in understanding the [...]

Supervisor Techniques For Dealing with Difficult Employee Situations

Howard — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:15:57 +0000

Although all employees tend to put their best faces forward when they are starting a new job, personalities may change as they become more comfortable in the workplace. If you find that you have been charged with the task of managing employees who have become difficult or contrary, it can be stressful. With the right [...]

Effective Communication in the Workplace – Keep The Lines Of Communication Open

Howard — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:00:13 +0000

No matter how large or small your office is, the best way to keep up productivity and maintain high levels of employee satisfaction is to emphasize open and effective communication in the workplace. Without the proper level of communication, there is the potential that employees won’t know what is expected of them, leading to a [...]

Staff Management – Best Management Practices To Keep In Mind

Howard — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Running a small business can be challenging enough, but effective staff management is also a large component of keeping your team functional. I could easily create a list of “101 Best and Worst Staff Management Practices” but let’s focus on a short list of best practices. Best Management Practice #1: Keep any staff records [...]

Employment Offer Letter – How to Write an Effective Job Offer Letter

Howard — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 07:05:10 +0000

Although some companies will choose to extend a job offer in an informal way, such as over the phone, another approach is to “put it in writing”. I recommend always extending a verbal offer, followed up with a written offer. Putting your job offer in writing helps to clearly spell out your job offer to [...]

Supervisors : 7 Reasons Why You Can’t Afford to Ignore Poor Workplace Behavior

Howard — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:30:09 +0000

Transcript of ESBHR Podcast #23: Supervisors : 7 Reasons Why You Can’t Afford to Ignore Poor Workplace Behavior Listen to the audio. One of the things that I’ve found to be consistent when working with supervisors is that there is a reluctance to deal with behavioral issues in the workplace. This of course is not [...]

ESBHR Podcast Episode# 23: 7 Reasons Why Supervisors Can’t Afford To Ignore Poor Workplace Behavior

Dianne — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 08:00:52 +0000

There is a reluctance to deal with issues centering around behavior in the workplace for some supervisors; and understandably so. Who wants to deal with difficult issues? But, there are reasons why issues become a lot more complicated when ignored. In Episode #23, we’ll review why as a supervisor, you can’t afford ignore inappropriate workplace [...]

Supervisor Responsibilities 101: Tips For New Supervisors

Howard — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 07:20:41 +0000

Once you have been promoted to supervisor, you may feel overwhelmed with the new level of responsibility. It’s not uncommon to shift into the role of a new supervisor without any practical knowledge on how to be most effective in the role. Just what does it mean to be a supervisor? Supervisors are responsible for [...]

Sample Termination Letter – How to Write an Effective Letter of Termination

Howard — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:00:59 +0000

Unfortunately, at some point most supervisors will find the need to write a letter of termination for an employee who is not meeting expectations or who has violated the company code of conduct. There are a few factors to take into consideration before you begin to write a termination letter. First, consult your company’s employee [...]

Workplace Theft Statistics – The Latest Statistics and How to Prevent Theft

Howard — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 08:13:00 +0000

An estimated 50 billion dollars are lost annually from US businesses due to employee theft. According to the International Foundation for Protection Officers, approximately 75% of all employees have stolen from their employers at least once in the duration of their careers. Of those, about half will steal again from the same employer. To [...]

The Office Romance: An Employers Guide to Dealing with Dating at Work

Howard — Wed, 25 May 2011 10:30:45 +0000

When the love bug bites two employees, it’s often left to managers and HR personnel to deal with the consequences of the office romance. It’s not an uncommon situation. A CareerBuilder.com survey revealed that nearly 40% of participants had dated a co-worker, and 18% admitted to having at least 2 inter-office relationships. What does all [...]

Workplace Drama? Employer’s Guide to Understanding Work Stress Reactions

Howard — Tue, 24 May 2011 09:00:31 +0000

Does a worker react with all the drama of a five-year-old when they feel they’ve been treated unfairly? Does a staffer respond to a reprimand by being mean to co-workers? Work stress caused by feelings of unfair treatment can trigger a host of counterproductive reactions, such as tardiness, theft, and insubordination. So what determines how [...]

The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act: Employer FAQs

Howard — Fri, 20 May 2011 10:00:14 +0000

Did an outgoing worker copy client data files and use them for his or her new job? Has an employee accessed a company database to obtain a fellow employee’s home address? If a worker taps into business data without authorization or exceeding the authorization they’ve been granted, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act may give [...]

12 Things That Your Employees Don’t Like About You

Dianne — Wed, 18 May 2011 09:26:39 +0000

In my role as employee relations consultant for both supervisors and employees at various companies, I’ve met with scores of workers who have voiced a litany of concerns about the things that they don’t like about their managers. The goal of this list is not to pass judgment, but to make supervisors more aware of employee perceptions and to give those managers who may identify with the list an opportunity to make changes over time. Some of the most common complaints that employees have leveled against their supervisors: 1. Regularly showing preferential treatment to some employees over others 2. Micromanager; no faith in the employee’s ability to perform the job 3. Supervisors who don’t have an understanding the work that they do and the daily challenges that they face

Taking Charge- Dealing With An Angry Employee

Dianne — Mon, 16 May 2011 10:14:27 +0000

What manager doesn’t dread the idea of dealing with an angry employee? How do you respond to an employee who is obviously angry? What if your employee yells at you? Should you yell back? Maybe just walk away until they calm down? Or, you can stand there and let them vent. Here are a few [...]

Problem Employees- Are You To Blame?

Dianne — Wed, 11 May 2011 11:39:44 +0000

Are you the reason why your employee isn’t the strong performer that you thought that you hired? Ask yourself these questions: 1. Did you take the time to orient your employee to the workplace when you hired him or her? 2. Does your employee know your business goals and how his or her role fits [...]

Compensation Guide: Fair Labor Standards Act Requirements

Howard — Mon, 09 May 2011 09:00:59 +0000

Should you pay an employee who answers the office phone over lunch break? Do you compensate a worker who is on-call while at home? Figuring out when to compensate workers can be tricky in some situations. This basic fact sheet will help business owners navigate the finer points of the Fair Labor Standards Act and [...]

Professional Dress in the Workplace: Communicate Your Dress Code Policy

Howard — Fri, 06 May 2011 10:00:22 +0000

Shorts and flip flops. Sneakers and sandals. Denim jackets, halter dresses and t-shirts. Sounds like the way people dress when they are taking a trip to the mall or the beach. These days, it’s also the dress code for many an employee in the modern workplace. Gone are the days when there seemed to be [...]

Employer Recordkeeping Requirements Facts, Part 2

Howard — Wed, 04 May 2011 08:00:11 +0000

Small businesses run on people power. Employing those people, however, requires business owners and managers to meet a number of obligations outlined by the Fair Labor Standards Act. Here is part two of our guide to employer record keeping requirements. You may keep records by any method you choose. Although the Fair Labor Standards Act [...]

Employer Record Keeping Requirements Facts, Part 1

Howard — Mon, 02 May 2011 08:00:13 +0000

Got records? The Fair Labor Standards Act says that, as an employer, you need to have them. Employer record keeping requirements aren’t complicated; but they are necessary to ensure your small business is compliant with federal regulations. What is the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)? It’s a federal law that sets employment standards for a [...]

Tips on Orienting Your New Employee

Howard — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 07:00:30 +0000

Transcript of ESBHR Podcast #22: Tips on Orienting Your New Employee Listen to the audio. I can’t believe that we are at the end of the hiring series of podcasts! Orienting employees during their first few days is an essential step and a management best practice that every business should incorporate into their new hiring process; [...]

ESBHR Podcast #22: Tips on Orienting Your New Employee

Dianne — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 07:00:20 +0000

Now that your new employee has been hired, what are your next steps for inducting your new employees? In Podcast #22, I’ll share with you 6 new employee orientation tips that you can use immediately. Download mp3 Read the transcript Watch the video Supervisors Toolkit: How To Supervise: What Your Boss Never Told You [...]

Finding the Key to Keeping Your Employees – Reducing Employee Turnover

Howard — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 07:25:20 +0000

It’s estimated that employee turnover costs the average business owner 150 percent of the person’s salary. Between the hiring process and training, you put a lot of time and energy into finding the right people for your team. But, losing a talented and productive employee is a cost you can avoid. Simply put, employees will [...]

5 Employer Advantages To On The Job Training and Employee Development

Dianne — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:24:22 +0000

Are you a manager that has trouble understanding the value of on the job training for staff? There is the perception that there has to be a “need” to develop staff. It’s not unusual for some managers to reason that if there is not another job opportunity available, why take the time to develop employees? [...]

Ways to Alleviate Stress For Overworked Employees

Dianne — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 19:52:32 +0000

Here’s an interesting article for the week written by Heather Huhman with Business Insider: “Working Long Hours Can Kill You“. The article focuses on tips on how employers can support employees who are being asked to do more with less. I’m honored that Easy Small Business HR was quoted in the article! Are your employees [...]