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Onboarding Strategic Planning

The 5 Biggest Mistakes of Onboarding New Employees

What do you think of when the term “onboarding” is used?  It has come to mean the process of getting new employees “into the system,” so they can start working for you. But onboarding can be much more – it can be one of the most powerful employee recruitment, training and productivity systems that you…Continue readingThe 5 Biggest Mistakes of Onboarding New Employees

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HR Policies Strategic Planning

Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreements: Which is Better, and How to Make Yours Hold Up in Court

Companies often require new employees to sign non-compete and non-solicitation agreements.  What is the difference between them, how enforceable are they, and is one better than the other? Non-Compete Agreements A non-compete agreement prohibits an employee from leaving to go to a competitor, or to start a competing business, for a stated period of time…Continue readingNon-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreements: Which is Better, and How to Make Yours Hold Up in Court

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Employee Relations

How to Handle a Termination Meeting Like a Pro

At some point you may have to tell an employee that their employment has been terminated.  Naturally, many managers are uncomfortable with the process.  I have put together an effective offboarding checklist that will save you a lot of time and stress. General Tips The best person to tell the employee of the termination is…Continue readingHow to Handle a Termination Meeting Like a Pro

Categories
Managing Employees

Keeping Your Remote Team Motivated

Are you finding it difficult to keep your team motivated and focused, especially if they are working remotely?  This is more common than you think. After all, you do not have the benefit of all the face to face social interactions and informal conversation that can give you a sense for how the team is…Continue readingKeeping Your Remote Team Motivated

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HR Policies Paid and Unpaid Leave

Breaking Down Your Vacation Policy

All employees look forward to a little vacation. Some look forward to a lot of vacation.  Meanwhile, you have to keep the business running.  As the employer, how do you handle this? Vacation policies can be grouped into three categories: Case-By-Case Some businesses do not have a formal policy.  All requests are on a case-by-case…Continue readingBreaking Down Your Vacation Policy

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Compliance

Compliance Issues and Your Multi-State Work Team

Remote, distributed work teams have become a mainstream approach to business.  There are many advantages.  You can attract talent from anywhere, independent of the “home office.”  Many employees enjoy a more flexible and balanced lifestyle without long commutes.  Technology has made communication and collaboration doable in real time over long distances.  However, having employees in…Continue readingCompliance Issues and Your Multi-State Work Team

Categories
Hiring

6 Tips to Supercharge Your Recruiting Results

All employers are challenged by recruiting. It can seem a long and complicated process with uncertain results. But there are proven ways to turn the process to your advantage. Here are 6 tips to give your recruiting a supercharge. Write a Clear Job Description If your job description doesn’t make sense, reduce it to a…Continue reading6 Tips to Supercharge Your Recruiting Results

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Hiring

How Employers Should Discuss Salary During a Job Interview

The Scene:  Final interview for a position.  After several interviews, the hiring manager thinks that the candidate is right for the job.  Only one question . . . how much salary to offer? Traditionally, at this point the hiring manager would ask the candidate, “what is your current salary?” Often that would used as a gauge of how…Continue readingHow Employers Should Discuss Salary During a Job Interview

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HR Policies

Managing Employee Risk

Managing employees also means managing risk.  Unhappy employees may start legal actions; so may former employees.  Issues can include discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, or complaints for back pay or overtime.  Many business owners and managers do not have basic policies and procedures in place to protect their business in such cases.  Implementing some simple personnel policies will greatly…Continue readingManaging Employee Risk

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HR Policies

Tips on Breaks and Meal Periods

Give me a break!   Employee breaks and meal period requirements are confusing to employers and employees alike.  I will attempt to make it clearer, or at least less confusing. The Fair Labor Standards Act, the federal law better known for regulating minimum wage and overtime, divides breaks into two categories, rest breaks and meal periods. Rest breaks The FLSA…Continue readingTips on Breaks and Meal Periods