Employee Negativity

It isn’t talked about often – but it should be discussed. Here’s an extensive discussion at About.com.

Paychex Customer Sues

Not all payroll processing companies are the same. Paychex has landed in hot water for its alleged “nickel and diming” pricing policies.

Here’s the full story, from MSNBC.

Improving US Medicine – does small business have a role?

Here’s an interesting one: Newt Gingrich and John Kerry team up to pen this prescription for healthy healthcare in the New York Times.

Rehire Someone You Fired?

About.com explores the eternal question….

Gossip On The Rise

Concerns over economic uncertainty are not the only thing growing in America’s workplaces… gossip seems to be gaining ground as well.

The Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette has the skinny.

Performance Review Loses Fan

From today’s Wall Street Journal:

You can call me “dense,” you can call me “iconoclastic,” but I see nothing constructive about an annual pay and performance review. It’s a mainstream practice that has baffled me for years.

To my way of thinking, a one-side-accountable, boss-administered review is little more than a dysfunctional pretense. It’s a negative to corporate performance, an obstacle to straight-talk relationships, and a prime cause of low morale at work. Even the mere knowledge that such an event will take place damages daily communications and teamwork.

Finance Sector Impacts on Job Market

The New York Times writes:

As an employer, you want to try to calm people, but there is a fine line to walk in giving people reassurance without overcommitting. If management makes representations to employees that they will still have jobs and gets it wrong, the company may be liable to employees who act in reliance on the statements by, for example, closing on a house.

Here’s the full story.

Social Networks Scuttle Careers

One in five hiring managers now check social networking sites on job applicants, and it’s scary what they find.

Here’s the scoop, from Cheezhead.com.

Fifteen Small Businesses to Envy

It’s not easy being a small employer – but this week’s Wall Street Journal Small Business has picked the fifteen who do it best.

Ladies and gentlemen: the Top 15 Small Workplaces 2008!

Creeping Outside The Shirt: Tattoos

The New York Times tells America’s employers that it’s fine for employees to show off tattoos at the office…