THE PROBLEM:  Employers commonly obtain consumer reports as part of a routine background check.  Plaintiff's attorneys have recently latched onto some lesser-known consumer report requirements within the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).  Possibly, c...

Yes! My junior year I enjoyed a marketing class taught by a former VP of Marketing for RJ Reynolds. He knew both theory and practice and used many anecdotal stories from his real world business experiences. It has helped me think outside the HR box i...

The employer mandate fee is officially referred to as a "shared responsibility payment," as the fee will help fund marketplace subsidies and fund other aspects of the Affordable Care Act.The annual employer mandate fee (officially called an Employer ...

1.    Hire the Right People for the JobIt may be tempting but don’t hire people you know for your open positions.  Interview qualified, experienced professionals from outside your immediate circle.  Make sure you check references and pay for a backgr...

Just being an up-to-date HR expert won’t make you an all-star HR Manager anymore. These four skills are as important to your success as knowing what FMLA and EEOC stand for.Critical Thinking SkillsAs an HR strategic leader, you are privy to informati...

Did you know that a new staff member makes up their mind within the first days of your employ whether they are going to stay or leave, become a star or a dud.Six Rules to New Hire Happiness1.  The first impression of your company really begins with t...

Is yours one of the many Houston-based businesses that hires employees who do not speak English?  Here are some points to ponder:Federal Posting Requirements maintain that if 20% or more of your workforce is not proficient in English and speaks anoth...

The phone screen is an important part of recruiting. It can save you a lot of time by letting you assess potential candidates before committing to a face-to-face interview.Warning: Don’t treat a phone interview lightly!Tip Number 1 – Quiet, please.. ...

May is Disability Insurance Awareness Month and we encourage you, both the business owner and executive, to take a hard look at your current disability coverage.Some sobering facts:1.       Most group disability plans are designed to cover up to 60% ...

Hot Topic:Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was banned for life and fined $2.5 million by his employer, the National Basketball Association (NBA). The punishment came after public outrage was aimed at Sterling who was recorded making racist ...

Your website is great, your jobs are posted, your candidate tools and company information are ready. Now continue to represent your brand during the rest of your recruiting process.  While you're selling your company as the Best Place on Earth to Wor...

Today’s Internet-based security/surveillance solutions, like many new web-based technologies, are both inexpensive and amazingly efficient. How cool is it to have ‘24 by 7’ access and a view of multiple areas of a company’s offices from a manager’s s...

"Don't"  Number One -  Showing No RespectOne of the quickest ways to run off a great candidate is to cancel the interview at the last   minute because you're disorganized or your day has run away from you.Don't leave them waiting for you in the lobby...

According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association (FSTA), there are about 30 million fantasy players in the United States alone and this number is increasing. According to a study by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, fantasy football is played by 22....

The Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) is designed to provide job protection and work/life balance for American workers.  FMLA provides time off for employees with an illness or injury, to care for their loved ones, or for the birth or adoption ...

After all, you are adding someone to your payroll, to the work life of your staff and to the future of your company.Don't rush! Hiring a CFO should take more than 5 days! If you think you can post an ad and get someone fast - you’re short-changing yo...

We’ve all been there.  A coworker has dropped a verbal bomb and you don’t know what to do about it.  We suggest the following best practices in dealing with inappropriate and unprofessional workplace behavior.1.  Don't Confront:  In many cases it's b...

A stellar candidate deserves a worthy interview.It’s not difficult; just practice these painless steps: Prepare your interview for the correct position. (bring job description, org chart, etc) Prepare and follow an agenda. Know whom you are interview...

1.  Ensure that your long-tenured employees will remain valuable to your organization.  Require your employees with 20 years of experience to attend conferences, training programs and networking events.  This will help them stay current with industry...