August 2006 

HR MAGAZINE · August 2006
Vol. 51, No. 8
Table of Contents

COVER STORY
HR in Manufacturing . A jump to the manufacturing sector may be a good career move, but first consider the differences and issues.
Kathryn Tyler

EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATIONS
The Unintended Word. Unintended messages from management are common. Here’s how to spot and reduce the frequency, and costs, of unintentional communications.
Eric Krell

DIVERSITY
Diversity Finds Its Place. Chief diversity officers can help an employer’s diversity initiatives connect with the bottom line.
Robert Rodriguez

SPECIAL REPORT ON BENEFITS

Health Advocates. Providing outside experts to help employees with health claims and treatment decisions can be a productivity plus all around.
Susan J. Wells

When Plans Freeze, HR Duties Don’t. Many employers are opting to freeze their defined benefit pension plans, but before making a move, know what ongoing obligations must be met.
Carolyn Hirschman

Is Self-Funded Health a Path for Small Firms? Self-insuring for health benefits can trim expenses for small firms but carry some financial risks as well.
Nancy Hatch Woodward

HR AGENDA: HR MANAGEMENT
Capitalize on Your Budgets. Budgeting is an important way for HR departments to make their mark.
Susan Ladika

HR AGENDA: TRAINING
Partners in Finance Training. Compliance mandates are bringing together HR and finance to train all employees in basic finance.
Eric Krell

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS(Members Only)

From the President: To Keep Employees, Talk—and Listen—to Them!When it comes to engaging and retaining employees, talk is cheap—and effective. Susan Meisinger
From the Editors. Behind-the-scenes benefits; HR in manufacturing Terence F. Shea; Patrick Mirza
HR Solutions: Alumni, Personnel Files, Recording Exempts’ Hours. Anne St. Martin, Amy Maingault and Dyane Holt
Management Tools: Turning Right in a Left-Brain World. Create a “star profile” by using right-brain adjectives to get more out of your employees. Jathan W. Janove
Legal Trends: Crisis Alert!. Organizations that still think an emergency management plan is a nice-to-have rather than a must-have could be in for a rude awakening if victims of workplace crises haul them into court for negligence. Kevin Lindsey
Future Focus: Workplace Prognosis. The health policy changes most important for the workplace— and for HR—may come from an unexpected direction. Jennifer Schramm
Executive Briefing. Small companies hit harder by Sarbanes-Oxley; top executives get involved in talent management; more.
From Readers. Signing performance evaluations; Sarbanes-Oxley opportunities; more.
HR Technology. HR technology user groups offer HR professionals support and advice.
Court Report. Posting of religious messages in cubicle was harmless; individual agreements to arbitrate USERRA claims upheld; more.
Books in Brief. The Human Resources Revolution; more.
What's New. Internet-based award service; ergonomics software; I-9 employment eligibility verification tool; more.

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