HR Cafe

Giving Superstars Money

How to have a salary conversation with a superstar employee

September 8, 2010 by Stephen Meyer

If you talk to superstar employees about salary and frame the conversation in terms of money, you're doomed. Superstars care less about money and more about exposure and opportunity. Read on to find out how you should model your next salary conversation with a superstar.

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Fire Alarm

Supervisor's petty snit made his company look vengeful

September 7, 2010 by Stephen Meyer

Just days after a confrontation with her supervisor, an employee was arrested for having allegedly pulled a fire alarm. No charges were filed, and the employee sued. Did the courts see this as a case of wrongful retaliation? Read on to find out.

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Female Manager

How women managers can fight gender-linked perceptions

September 3, 2010 by Stephen Meyer

In a recent study, a majority of legal secretaries said women bosses were emotional and demanding and harder to work for than male bosses. Those surveyed said females in positions of authority have "more to prove" and "put on airs." So what can women managers do to combat these perceptions? Keep reading to learn why confronting them head on might be the best solution.

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Employee getting transferred

FMLA condition or insubordination?

September 1, 2010 by Stephen Meyer

A supervisor claims that an employee was being insubordinate in refusing to carry out an order. The employee claims an FMLA-related illness prevented him from performing the task. The employee was suspended, and promptly sued the company. How did the courts see it? Read on to find out.

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Be Ready for a Confrontation

Prepare for that confrontation & help ensure a positive result

August 30, 2010 by Stephen Meyer

Anytime you confront an employee about an attitude or behavioral problem, you need to make sure you're prepared for it. Rushing into a confrontation can result in arguments and half-baked decisions that can come back to haunt you. Keep reading to learn a series of questions you should ask yourself before engaging in a potentially confrontational conversation.

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Courtroom

Boss persecuted employee for the way she dressed, and got sued

August 27, 2010 by Stephen Meyer

A female employee was reprimanded for wearing clothing that her supervisor found inappropriate, despite the fact that there was no dress code violation. The employee sued for sexual harassment. Did the courts rule in her favor? Read on to find out if the supervisor made a costly mistake.

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Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down

Why you're not getting enough bang for your training buck

August 25, 2010 by Stephen Meyer

When trying to evaluate the success or failure of employee training, asking the right questions is key to getting meaningful feedback. Simply asking employees if they liked the training won't get the desired results out of your employees. Read on to find out what you should ask in order to determine the effectiveness of training.

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A Dangerous Pitfall

4 pitfalls with interview questions – and how to steer clear of them

August 23, 2010 by Stephen Meyer

Some job interview questions, if worded poorly, can put supervisors at risk for claims of workplace discrimination. So how do you get the information you need to make the right hiring decision without running afoul of the law? Read on to find out how to ask these important questions in a way that avoids potential discrimination claims.

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Good Bosses

The credo of good bosses

August 20, 2010 by Stephen Meyer

Rather than focusing on what you should do to be considered a good boss, focus more on how you should think. Finding a balance between humility and decisiveness will go a long way toward boosting your credibility as a leader. Read on to find out how to walk that fine line.

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Terminate an Employee

A lesson in how NOT to fire an insubordinate employee

August 18, 2010 by Stephen Meyer

Firing an insubordinate employee on the spot can certainly have a therapeutic effect, and it might seem like the right thing to do at the time. But more often than not, it can lead to disastrous results. Keep reading to learn why terminating an insubordinate employee requires patience and a level head.

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