Featured Article Performance Management Goes Beyond the Annual Form When it comes to managing employee performance, the phrase “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” certainly rings true, according to Littler Mendelson attorney David Goldman. He says managers should start by simply telling employees what they are supposed to do. Read this article

Employee Relations Features The Power of a Pleasant Work Environment In a recent study, one in five workers said their building’s condition decreased their productivity and motivation; one-third said they have actually left a job or taken a new one based on the condition of the building and/or the amenities offered. Web-Based Onboarding Linked to Retention Effective onboarding programs that emphasize access to web-based applications can boost employee retention, experts say. Address Financial Ills To Reduce Other Workplace Problems Financial problems are toxic and manifest themselves in every area of a person’s existence, corrupting their home and work life, their relationships, their thinking and their behavior, an EAP professional says. Study: Instant Messaging Can Benefit Workplace Using text messaging at work is less, not more disruptive, even as it promotes more frequent communication, says an academic study. Some More Satisfied Working for Military than Others A new study of self-assessed job satisfaction, gender and ethnicity in the U.S. military finds that black and Hispanic men and women have higher job satisfaction than white men, says Jennifer Hickes Lundquist of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Abusive Behavior Is Workers’ Top Ethical Concern When asked what were the most egregious types of ethical misconduct they had witnessed over the past 12 months, human resource professionals responded in a study that abusive or intimidating behavior by employees on the job tops the list. Easing the Burden of Financial Stress Experts familiar with financial stress on employees say too much financial burden can lead to increased absenteeism, sick leave and even alcohol and drug abuse.

SHRM Annual Conference Coverage Appearance Standards Challenged as Discriminatory Legal challenges over personal appearance discrimination are on the rise, particularly in California and other Western states, an attorney says. Stop Whining, Be Accountable HR professionals should create a culture of accountability by establishing consistent performance measures. Employee Handbooks: Every Word Counts When it comes to employee handbooks, what you say, and what you don't say, can get you in trouble. That's why attorneys say employers should not take handbooks for granted. Janove: Manage Jerks at Work Jerks can exact a high cost in the workplace: contaminating the environment with toxic behavior, driving other employees out the door, lowering morale and productivity, and exposing an employer to legal liability. Take Out the Red Pen Document management is the “downfall of most EEO programs and should be a central focus of inquiry in HR audits, according to Timothy Davis, an attorney with Constangy, Brooks & Smith in Kansas City. Recognition Brings Out the Best in Employees Expressing employee appreciation is an art, not a science, according to Mindy Chapman, Esq.,a SHRM Annual Conference speaker. Four Steps to Successful Employee Relationships Self-evaluation techniques can help a manager improve, or even help junior-level staffers decide if they want to accept a managerial position, according to a former psychology professor. Employees Satisfied with Jobs, Hope To Stay That Way Employees and human resource professionals responding to the latest SHRM Job Satisfaction survey report employees are mostly satisfied with their jobs. But some remain skittish about what could happen.

Employee Relations News Rise of ADR for Workplace Disputes Canadians Work on Vacation but Plan Vacations at Work Utah: Governor Announces Four-Day State Work Week Companies Embrace Employee Praise Pets at Work: It's Not Just at Pet Stores Any More Employee Motivation: Copying Kinko's Success Survey Reveals Job Happiness Related to 5 Effectiveness Skills

Legal Update Supreme Court Weighs Pregnancy Bias The Supreme Court will take up a case of alleged discrimination through a loss of benefits to a woman who took pregnancy leave. Employers Should Use Caution in Dealing with Medical Marijuana Users At least 12 states—Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington—have medical marijuana laws. It is generally unclear whether employers must accommodate workers who smoke medical marijuana off the job. Coordinate GINA with Leave, ADA and HIPAA Policies To coordinate compliance among the new Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), employers first should recognize what isn’t new about GINA. High Court Allows More Retaliation Claims In two decisions, the U.S. Supreme Court opens the door wider for retaliation claims. Employers can expect more of them, experts say. Self-Audits Prevent Litigation, Unless They’re Half-Baked A half-baked employment self-audit of policies and procedures is “worse than doing nothing,” according to Maria Greco Danaher, an attorney with Ogletree Deakins in Pittsburgh. EEOC Attorney: Ignorance Is No Defense for Bias The EEOC believes that an employer can be liable even if an HR professional who fires an employee has no idea that bias was behind the termination recommendation. More workplace law news State-specific news