Your career is like a ship and you’re the captain. You can drift along or take command to guide it in a clear and positive direction. These are some suggestions for setting your course and sticking to it so you so wind up where you want to go. Setting a Course for Your Career Conduct […]
HR Girlfriends
HR Girlfriends™ is a Human Resources networking organization dedicated to advancing the practice and culture of people empowerment. Our team of Girlfriends consult, train, educate, develop, share, promote, and advocate for solutions in the field of human resource management.
Q&A: Are We Required to Provide Additional Smoke Breaks?
Question: Do we have to give employees who smoke additional smoke breaks or allow them to return to work smelling strongly of smoke? We’ve received complaints from both other employees and customers. Answer from Emily, PHR: No, you’re not required to provide additional breaks to employees who smoke, and you also don’t have to tolerate […]
Career Mondays: How to Discover the Career of Your Dreams
Do you work in a career that doesn’t satisfy you? It’s easy to feel stuck because your job is providing you with security. It’s a scary thing to leave that security for the pursuit of your passion! At the same time, there are steps you can take today to build the career you truly desire. […]
Q&A: Harassment Investigation – How To Figure It Out
We suspect that one of our employees harassed another, but we only have their conflicting stories to go on—no witnesses, video, or emails. The accuser’s account of the incident seems much more credible than that of the accused. Can we discipline with only this information? Answer from Monica, SPHR, SHRM-CP: Probably. It would be a […]
Affirmation: 8 Things I Can Do Each Day to Enhance My Self-Development
Some things matter more than others. Since your time is so limited, it’s wise to use your time as effectively as possible. You can’t do everything, but you can do the things that matter the most. Fortunately, many of the most important things are also easy to do. If you’re serious about taking your self-development […]
Career Mondays! 7 Success Tips For Changing Careers
Weather forecasters can’t reliably predict the weather three days from now. How is a 22-year old supposed to pick the right career for the next 40-plus years? Most of us will contemplate a career change at some point. It might be a conscious decision or the loss of a job might be the genesis of […]
Q&A: When does the I-9 need to be completed?
All new employees must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 on or before their first day of employment. Then, within three business days of their start date, they should submit acceptable proof of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. As the employer, you should complete Section 2 within those same three […]
Career Mondays! 9 Tips for a Better Cover Letter
While there’s always some argument about whether or not prospective employers actually bother to read cover letters, no one seems to dispute the fact that you need one anyway. Since cover letters are often your first impression, they must be flawless. There are several common mistakes that are easy to make on your cover letter. […]
Q&A: How do we determine whether a position is exempt or non-exempt?
Answer from Kara, JD, SPHR: Exempt and non-exempt are classifications under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), a federal law requiring that most employees receive at least minimum wage for each hour worked and overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Employees who are entitled to both minimum wage and overtime are […]
Q&A: We have an employee who is joining the Army Reserves. What are our responsibilities as their employer?
In short, your responsibilities are to not discriminate because of their service and to offer them their job back after military-related absences. The rights of applicants and employees who serve in the uniformed military services are protected by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act (USERRA). Under this act, it is unlawful for an employer […]