Timely Opportunity

More Pointers on Building a Loyal, Productive Staff

What does it take to create a workplace in which employees work hard, productively and enjoy their jobs? The Gallup Organization has been studying the question for years. Read on to find out what they discovered -- and how your company's practices align with those Gallup has linked to the best performing organizations.

Becoming a Great Place to Work: It’s Not About the Money

What are the ingredients of a great workplace -- the kind of place where employees stick around and work hard? They may not be what you think, and you don't have to be a huge "hip" company like Google or Apple to make it happen. The Gallup Organization has been studying the question for years, and has come to some conclusions. Read on to find out what Gallup has discovered -- and what you can do to leverage the research firm's insights.

Understand Employer Duties Regarding Retirement Plan Expenses

A recent U.S. District Court ruling offers a timely reminder of the importance of maintaining proper procedures when administering qualified retirement plans. The consequences of acting inconsistently with stated policy, perhaps even with good intentions, can be costly indeed. Read how to avoid that trap.

Smart Hiring Decisions Begin with Asking the Right Questions

Bad hiring decisions can be costly, especially for small employers who lack the staff "cushion" to absorb the impact of non-performers and turnover. Some of the costs are calculable hard dollar expenses while others are hard-to-measure. The intangible costs may include damaged customer relations, missed business opportunities and low morale among co-workers who bear the brunt of another employee's shortcomings. Avoiding these costs can be accomplished by investing time upfront in better hiring techniques. Keep reading for some steps to accomplishing that goal.

Capitalize on the Power in Exit Interviews

As with some other standard human resource activities, exit interviews sometimes are carried out almost on a perfunctory basis, resulting in missed opportunities -- or worse. There is a better way. This article provides an overview of how employers can gain helpful insights about their businesses, as well as ways to turn what might otherwise be a negative situation into a positive one. Also in an unrelated story, the National Labor Relations Board has changed an important deadline. Details in the sidebar.

Trend: Employment Lawsuits Based on Obesity Discrimination

The problem of obesity in the United States has been well documented. The impact is being felt in the workplace with the EEOC reporting that weight discrimination has become almost as common as bias based on race, gender or age. What protections do employees have? This article answers that question, along with details of some recent cases of employment weight discrimination.

Take Steps Toward Achieving Retirement Plan Success

The "success" of a company's 401(k) retirement plan is important to employers and employees alike. Offering a plan that workers find appealing and take full advantage of can attract and retain human capital. It can also enable them to retire at a time that's advantageous for your company. For employees, a successful plan offers the prospect of financial freedom. This article highlights some opportunities for retirement plan success.