Thursday, December 14, 2006

Minimum Wage Increase

I heard a discussion on NPR about the effect of the increase in the minimum wage that will occur in January with the new Democratically controlled Congress. It will increase over a three year period ending at $7.25 per hour. Obviously, being presented on NPR the discussion had both pros and cons.

My question for you is: How do you feel about? Will it effect your business? Do you think it will affect the economy? Will people gain from it? Will people lose as a result of it? Will we, the consumer, ultimately pay for it? Weigh-in on this discussion and lets hear what you have to say.

However, regardless of what you think about it, it is coming, so you had better be thinking of the issues and how it will effect your company.

Monday, December 11, 2006

Holiday Parties

Here is some guidance from the US Department of Labor on Safe and Sober office parties. Many employees ruin careers at holiday parties and more and more companies run the risk of being sued. The possibility of sexual harassment charges are now possible too. So be careful, control the alcohol and keep everyone happy.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Thinking Competitively in the HR Department

I just finished reading an article on Thinking Competitively by John Sullivan. He states "Having the competitive advantage is now essential to the survival of any business function, especially human resources. In the past, it was possible for HR to focus 100 percent on internal issues, never demonstrating superior performance when compared with talent competitors.
This internal perspective is no longer acceptable. The business world has changed dramatically, and global competition for talent has been ratcheted up several levels. Now more than ever before, the HR function and its activities affect the success or failure of the business."

He outlines a number of steps that HR departments must take in order to become competitive or to provide a competitive advantage for the company or organization. Those of you who have taken classes from me will have heard me say many of the same things he says.

At this time of the year if you are doing some planning for next year perhaps you can incorporate some of these steps.

The only issue I have with this article is that it was written by someone who has been in the academic world for 30 years. So I wonder if he has ever run an HR department. Regardless, the advice is still sound. Read the article by clicking on the link and tell me what you think.