Youre the Expert


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You're the Expert

In every issue, we take one reader's question and ask other readers to weigh in. What do you think? What would you do? What has worked at your workplace? Please let us know your thoughts. Take a look at some of the featured "You're the Expert" questions from previous issues:

You're the Expert: What Should We Do About Informal Business Emails?
April 2008
Our employees are too informal in their work emails to clients, vendors, etc. They are saying things they shouldn't--such as speaking negatively about company policies--and their tone is too informal for outside business contacts. What can we do? . . . more

You're the Expert: What Should We Do with Supervisors Who Are in Relationships with Subordinates?
March 2008
We have two supervisors who appear to be in relatiosnships with subordinates. How do we approach them, and what should we say? . . . more

You're the Expert
February 2008
I got a little embarrassed when I learned that inappropriate behavior (such as employees making fun of their disabled co-worker) had been going on in my facility--and I didn't know about it. My goal for the new year is to "keep an ear to the ground." What suggestions do you have? . . . more

You're the Expert: A recent question
January 2008
We have some people who may be abusing our Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) policies. We approved their going out on leave, but now we suspect they don't qualify. What do you do to identify and stop FMLA abuse? . . . more

You're the Expert: How Can I Stop the Tradition of Teasing and Pranks in Our Workplace?
December 2007
A recent question: Our workplace has a tradition of teasing and pranks. "All in good fun," say the workers, but I think there are harassment suits building up in some employees' minds as this continues. How can I get the message across to stop this behavior? Here's what you had to say . . . more

You're the Expert: A Recent Question
November 2007
That radio character, Don Imus, who got fired for his inappropriate comments? I think I've got a few Imuses in my company. How do I get the "good ol' boys" to toe the line and stop with their insensitive jokes and actions . . . more

You're the Expert: What can we do to beef up our hiring system to get hires that stick with the organization?
October 2007
Last Month's Question: We're finding that too many of our new hires don't last very long at the company. We think a lot of the problem is in our selection process. What can we do to beef up our hiring system to get hires that stick with the organization? . . . more

You're the Expert: Can you give me some hints for how to make documentation more effective?
September 2007
Last Months Question: I've been told to prepare some training on documenting discipline issues. Can you give me some hints for how to make documentation more effective? . . . more

You're the Expert: Can we bend the rules and still maintain integrity in our system?
July 2007
Last month's question: Our workplace is flooded with PDAs, cell phones, flash drives, and the like. We're worried about security and productivity. What are you doing to deal with the proliferation of miniature electronic devices in the workplace? Here's what you had to say . . . more

You're the Expert: What guidelines do you give for the first few weeks?
June 2007
Last month's question: We feel vulnerable to lawsuits because our brand-new supervisors and managers haven't been trained. What guidelines do you give for the first few weeks? Here's what you had to say . . . more

You're the Expert: Can we bend the rules and still maintain integrity in our system?
April 2007
Last month's question: We have some fairly rigid discipline rules. Sometimes we want to bend them for a special employee. But then we're not being "consistent," and consistency has been drilled into us by every expert. Can we bend the rules and still maintain integrity in our system? Here's what you had to say . . . more

You're the Expert: What can I do to encourage employees to work safely?
March 2007
Last month's question: Our accident rate is rising along with our workers' comp costs, and management wants me to reverse the trend. What can I do to encourage employees to work safely? Here's what you had to say: . . . more

You're the Expert: When we want to fire someone, should we wait until we can build a "paper file"?
February 2007
Last month's question: When we want to fire someone, should we wait until we can build a "paper file"? Here's what you had to say . . . more

You're the Expert: Is it a good idea to stay in touch with employees who have left the organization?
January 2007
Last month's question: Is it a good idea to stay in touch with employees who have left the organization in the hope that we can hire them back? Here's what you had to say . . . more

You're the Expert: What can we do to get our supervisors and managers to pay attention to documentation?
December 2006
Last month's question: What can we do to get our supervisors and managers to pay attention to documentation? We're ending up too often with too little documentation to support our discipline and terminations. Here's what you had to say . . . more

You're the Expert: How can we help our employees confront co-workers whose actions make them uncomfortable?
November 2006
Last month's question was: Many of our employees are not confronting coworkers whose actions make them uncomfortable. How can we help them to take this all-important step in preventing harassment? Here's what you had to say . . . more

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