Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

One of the necessary evils of being an employer and having employees is dealing with sexual harassment. I know plenty of employers who believe it would never happen in their workplace and/or there was no need to worry about such things, only to be proven wrong in very big, messy ways.

Clearly written sexual harassment policies and procedures help. The policy not only lets the employee know what is not acceptable behavior but it lets the employee know what the consequences are for participating in that unacceptable behavior. Procedures are great because they concisely (hopefully) tell employees what the steps are for addressing the offending behavior. It gives the help (and hope). However, sexual harassment policies and procedures are not enough.

In today’s world, a sexual harassment case can easily escalate into a lawsuit and employers – whether they want to or not – must prepare themselves for such a possibility. And while a sexual harassment policy and procedure will help in the due diligence arena, the courts have repeatedly stated employers need to take it a step further and implement sexual harassment training.

Sexual harassment training allows the employer to take the information they have in the policy and procedures and make sure employees and supervisors/managers understand and implement what is in writing. It provides a layer of protection for the employer, employee, and workplace that would otherwise create vulnerabilities.

So, if you do not have a written sexual harassment policy and procedures – get busy. It doesn’t matter how small of an employer you are, you still risk it all if you don’t have the proper policy and procedure in place. And if you really want to put the cherry on top, begin the process of training employees and supervisors/managers on those policies and procedures. Otherwise, your vulnerabilities still exist.

HR and Technology: Social Media Sniffers

Social media is becoming more prevalent in the workplace.  If it isn't an employee updating their Facebook status, they are going home to blog about what happened at work (and sometimes not waiting until they go home to blog).  And while employers are utilizing software and blockers to prevent employees from doing this on company time, it isn't stopping employees - who simply pull out their smart phones and do it anyway.

Here is an interesting article about human resources and the technological obstacles presented by social media.  It is well worth the read:  Article.

Assertiveness Communication Skills for Women Workshop

Since our Assertiveness Communication Skills for Native Women and Women Working in the Native Community workshop was so popular, we have decided to conduct another assertiveness communication skills workshop.  Only this time it will be for women in general.

This workshop is taking place on Friday, April 29, 2011.  For more details about the workshop, please click on the image above or go to our website.

Team Building Workshop

We are conducting a workshop on Team Building on Thursday, April 28, 2011 for native women and women working in the native community.  For more information on the workshop, please click on the flyer above or simply go to our website.

We would love to see you there!

Seminar: Human Resources and Technology Issues in the Workplace

HR Balance LLC's Jack McCallum is leading another community education seminar for Whatcom Community College.  This seminar will focus on human resources and technology in the workplace.  The details include:

Spotlight on HR: Managing Cyber/Technology Issues in the Workplace

Are your personnel policies and procedures up-to-date with the demands and challenges of today's cyber-world? As technology makes the world far more accessible, employers must contend with increased privacy, confidentiality, and proprietary concerns. Learn what your policies should cover to address smart technology, cyber communications, and social media as they impact the workplace.

Date and Time:  Thursday, April 21, 2011 - 9 a.m. to 12-Noon
Cost:  $45
Location:  WCC - Foundation - 201C

To register today for this informative seminar, simply go to the Community Education page for Whatcom Community College.  The seminar can be found under "Business and Professional Development."

Human Resources and Social Media Seminar

HR Balance LLC's Jack McCallum is presenting another seminar through Whatcom Community College's Continuing Education program.

Spotlight on HR: Managing Cyber/Technology Issues in the Workplace

Are your personnel policies and procedures up-to-date with the demands and challenges of today's cyber-world? As technology makes the world far more accessible, employers must contend with increased privacy, confidentiality, and proprietary concerns. Learn what your policies should cover to address smart technology, cyber communications, and social media as they impact the workplace.
Cost:  $45
Date/Time:  April 21, 2011   |   9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location:  WCC - Foundation - 201C

To register for this seminar, click HERE.

10 Best Companies to Work For...

Do you consider your company one of the 10 Best Companies to Work For?  Fortune Magazine recently released their list of top companies to work at and decided to feature 10 employees from 10 companies.  So what sets these companies as "top" companies to work at?  According to Fortune magazine, "Interesting assignments, big scholarships, stints abroad..."

Read on for more...

Staying Ahead of the Technology Curve

The Mt. Baker Chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) has a monthly luncheon event which features a topic-specific speaker.  January's speaker is HR Balance LLC's own Jack McCallum.  We would love to see you there!  To sign up to attend the luncheon and hear the program, click HERE.

January 12, 2011 - Starts 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Northwood Hall

STAYING AHEAD OF THE TECHNOLOGY CURVE:  Policies and Procedures to Keep Pace with Today's New World

Are your technology policies and procedures up-to-date with the demands made by today’s technologies? What about the demands of tomorrow’s technologies? Sure, you probably have a policy addressing general computer usage, equipment, and email, but there is a lot more to consider.

In this program, we’ll be discussing what your policies should include, the use of smart technology, and the need for social media rules in the workplace. Also on the agenda are suggestions on procedures you should adopt when those policies have been violated, and what employers need to brace for when tomorrow’s technology becomes today’s everyday tools.

As technology makes the world far more accessible, employers must contend with increased privacy, confidentiality, and proprietary concerns. Yesterday’s IT policies and procedures just aren’t useful any longer.

About the Presenter:  Jack McCallum is the President/Principal Consultant for HR Balance LLC – a consulting company specializing in human resources management and leadership coaching.   Jack’s experience includes management roles in both for-profit and non-profit organizations in a variety of industries.  When not consulting, Jack provides continuing education opportunities through workshops, seminars, and on-site training. She also teaches human resources, ethics, leadership, and management at several colleges and universities, has been a keynote speaker for business organizations from Bellingham, Washington to London, England, and has been called upon to share her expertise for magazine and newspaper articles, as well as guest appearances on radio.

Business Seminars

The New Year brings 3 new learning opportunities.  Whatcom Community College is sponsoring three classes focused on personnel management.  These classes will be taught by HR Balance LLC's founder, Jack McCallum, and will offer a good foundation for employers and managers at an affordable price.  Go to Whatcom Community College's Community Education to sign up today.

Personnel Series Bundle: All Three Classes

W8340 / Sessions 3
Cost:  $99
Start Date:  February 24, 2011
End Date: March 10, 2011
Time:  8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Location:  WCC - Foundation Building - Ste 201C

Personnel Series: Record Keeping: Are You Current?
As an employer, do you know which employment records you are required to maintain? Do you know how long to keep personnel records after an employee leaves your employ? This seminar will provide the lowdown on what records you are required to keep, records advisable to keep, how long you should keep them, and why the records are important.

W8343
Cost:  $39
Date:  February 24, 2011
Time:  8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Location:  WCC - Foundation Building - Ste 201C

Personnel Series: Employee Relations: It's Not Just for Unions!
As the economy continues to weigh heavy on businesses, employers are looking for options to retain their employees and increase productivity. Find out how improved employee relations can help you! This seminar will cover the basic principles of good employee relations, how enhanced employee relations can increase communication between employees and management, why improving employee relations actually save employers money, and the key employee relations tactics to increasing productivity.

W8346
Cost:  $39
Date:  March 3, 2011
Time:  8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Location:  WCC - Foundation Building - Ste 201C

Personnel Series: Employment Policies: Get the Scoop!
Thinking about developing a set of policies for your employees to follow? Do you have policies but need to fine-tune them? This class will discuss important policies for small and medium-size employers to implement, the key principles in writing employment policies, and tactics for introducing and enforcing new policies in the workplace. Participants will walk away with sample policies, a completed policy they have written, and a better understanding of why policies are important protections for both the employee and employer.

W8349 / Sessions 1
Cost:  $49
Date:  March 10, 2011
Time:  8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Location:  WCC - Foundation Building - Ste 201C

Holy Human Resources!

Comic book character captures dual nature of human resource professionals. For more information on the Just US League, The Man, The Boot, and The Outsourcerer... Click HERE.