HR Bulletin

According to a recent article in The Economist, software firms are using big data analytic tools to identify patterns in recruiting.  For some organizations, these data patterns are actually influencing new hire decisions. 

Many employers engage interns for summer work or to introduce a person to the business activities of an organization.  Some organizations welcome students or recent graduates as part of an annual tradition, or as a new opportunity for what appears to be a win-win employment relationship.  Engaging an eager intern can be an ideal option for employers with limited budget for recruiting talent.

It matters who runs an organization and how they behave. Everyone from venture capitalists to ordinary shareholders of public companies know this to be true. We frequently hear complaints from business leaders expressing concern over the changing attitudes, motivation and ethics of younger workers.  What some fail to recognize is the critical role that their own behavior plays in the culture of an organization and that business leaders can, and should, be responsible for an organization’s ethics. New research suggests that while all of us may be susceptible to ethical pitfalls, the environment and behavior of an organization’s leaders can set the tone for ethical behavior throughout the organization.

Due to the number of issues and cases related to leaves, SharedHR has decided to share its internal leave analysis chart with Bulletin readers as this month’s Attachment.  This document, normally available only to SharedHR subscribers and consulting clients, presents the complex number of leaves that must be considered by California employers.  We review this chart, as well as our multi-state leave chart, with employment counsel annually.

This month’s Bulletin attachment provides a mini-audit for contractor files and contractor relationships. For more detailed information or to assist with a pre-audit of worker relationships please contact our offices.

The Society for Human Resources Management recently reported on a Hackett Group, Inc. study which showed that high-performing HR organizations have 27% lower costs per employee and use 24% fewer staff members than average companies.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) whistleblower provisions present another upcoming compliance hazard for employers.  ACA provides protection from retaliation for employees who report potential violations.  On top of this, OSHA has issued its interim regulations governing how it intends to enforce whistleblower complaints under ACA.  The new regulations establish timeframes, procedures, investigation protocols, administrative proceedings and finally court action.

Accenture recently released its report on what employees define as “success”. The study probed not only what workers view as a “successful” workplace and career, but what they view as a “successful” life in general.  The report provides insights into the three main generations that populate the current workforce (baby boomers, and Generations X and Y).  The research and surveys included over 4,000 professionals.  Here are some highlights: 

The Department of Labor (DOL) has finalized an amendment to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to cover military caregiver leave for a veteran, qualifying exigency leave for parental care, and the special leave calculation method for flight crew employees.  This change requires updated language on worksite posters for employers covered by FMLA to be in place by March 8, 2013.  

In times of budget cuts and austerity, training programs are often one of the first expenses to be slashed. Many employers are starting to reinvest in training as they realize the lack of skilled workers persists even in a down economy with high unemployment.