Recent Articles From EvanCarmichael.com http://www.evancarmichael.com/ http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/Performance-Review-Disagreements.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/Performance-Review-Disagreements.html What do you do when an employee disagrees with something you've written on their performance review? http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/CostCutting-Actions-Lead-to-Decline-in-Morale.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/CostCutting-Actions-Lead-to-Decline-in-Morale.html The 2009/2010 U.S. Strategic Rewards Survey conducted by Watson Wyatt and WorldatWork, found that cost-cutting actions made by U.S. employers in 2009 to deal with the economic downturn have contributed to a sharp decline in the morale and commitment of their workers, especially top performers. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/Protect-Intellectual-Property-When-Employees-Leave.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/Protect-Intellectual-Property-When-Employees-Leave.html When employees leave a company, managers and HR professionals should follow a process to ensure the protection of the company's intellectual property. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/Improving-Annual-Performance-Reviews.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/Improving-Annual-Performance-Reviews.html Employees and managers alike complain about the annual performance review process being a tedious, biased, ineffective morale-buster. A 2007 study of 2,200 employees by Salary.com found that more than 60% of workers say reviews don't do anything to help their future performance. Nearly eight in ten companies conduct performance appraisals, and of those, 72% report being only somewhat satisfied, not very satisfied or extremely dissatisfied with the process, according to a 2006 SuccessFactors study of 1,000 HR professionals. So why have a performance appraisal system in place when everyone is so unhappy with them? http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/Rehiring-After-Layoff.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/Rehiring-After-Layoff.html Employers who have laid off employees during the past couple of years may now find themselves in a situation where they want to rehire some of those employees as the economy turns around. Before rehiring, employers will need to review a number of benefits issues to ensure compliance with separation agreements, employee handbooks and Internal Revenue Codes, just to name a few. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/How-To-Retain-Top-Talent-During-An-Economic-Recovery.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/How-To-Retain-Top-Talent-During-An-Economic-Recovery.html To prepare for the economic recovery that is coming our way, employers should focus now on boosting employee engagement in order to keep key employees when the economy recovers, the job market is expanded and more attractive employment opportunities arise elsewhere. Many skilled employees may be frustrated by the actions of their employers during the recession and are just waiting for the opportunity to run for the doors. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/Creative-Rewards-on-a-Budget.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/Creative-Rewards-on-a-Budget.html When cash is tight, business leaders may need to get creative to attract, retain, support and fully engage key employees. The following suggestions require minimal investment but can represent sustainable alternatives that truly satisfy what employees need and want. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/More-Discrimination-Lawsuits-Expected-in-2010.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/More-Discrimination-Lawsuits-Expected-in-2010.html More discrimination suits can be expected in the future and employers need to make sure they have proper procedures and policies in place so as to mitigate the risk of such claims. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/Supreme-Court-Ruling-May-Lead-To-More-Unionization.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/Supreme-Court-Ruling-May-Lead-To-More-Unionization.html The recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that labor unions and corporations are permitted to spend as much as they want on their own campaign ads to support or oppose federal political candidates will have a significant impact on employers who face union interference with their workforce. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/Enforcement-Audits-and-Investigations-to-Increase-in-2010.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/3395/Enforcement-Audits-and-Investigations-to-Increase-in-2010.html In 2010, all of the federal agencies responsible for enforcing federal employment laws will step up enforcement audits and investigations.