The Growth Company periodically publishes a newsletter for managers and Human Resource professionals providing timely advise and proven methods for keeping your employees happy and productive.

Click on any of the following for a useful, enjoyable read.

Do You Want Your Business to Live on After
by Lynne Curry, Ph.D. Most business owners work hard to prepare for every worst-case scenario – except the one their families, friends and employees might consider the true “worst case” – the tragedy that unfolds when the owner dies. In Alaska in the last decade, more than twenty relatively young business owners died suddenly due to accidents and heart attacks, leaving businesses leaderless and families doubly challenged. Full Article »

The Skilled Interviewer
When faced with 100-200 candidates, it's important to use tools that separate the great candidates from the many. The planning process prepares you to ask candidates about only the essential skills and qualifications required, and helps prevent you from asking off-the-cuff questions that could be illegal. Full Article »

Workplace Investigations 101
Many laws effectively require employers to undertake investigations in order to meet their obligations under the law. For example, employers who either know or should know about a harassment of an employee have a general duty to take prompt and remedial action to end the problem. In order to know what action to take, if any, the employer has to investigate the situation and ascertain the facts. Full Article »

Cutting Costs Doesn’t Have To Equal Sacrifice
Our chief executive officer Mr. Hatchet just called a department managers’ meeting and told us we have to cut costs one more time. This is his third cost-cutting initiative in two years and we’ve already eliminated every possible expenditure. We tried to tell Hatchet we’d sacrifice quality and morale if we made additional cuts, but he said we had no other choice. So we either cut essentials or lay off people. What can we do? Full Article »

Conducting Effective Employee Interviews
In today’s tight labor market successful, or unsuccessful, interviewing can make or break your recruitment goals. Although there are those who insist interviewing is an “art,” I disagree. Having conducted hundreds of interviews throughout my career, I’ve come to believe that effective interviewing is a skill. Effective interviewing, like any other skill, can be learned. Full Article »

What Defines a Hostile Work Environment
Although the term “hostile work environment” gets tossed around a lot, many managers and supervisors are confused about what hostile really means. The legal definition of hostile work environment requires that the offensive conduct be “severe and pervasive”, terms which can also seem vague and slippery.  Take this quiz to see if your managerial instincts are accurate or could use brushing up. Full Article »

Amendments to FMLA Signed Into Law
Amendments to the FMLA the federal Family and Medical Leave Act were signed into law by President Bush at the end January, 2008. These amendments expand leave rights in two situations. Full Article »

Handbooks Help Tackle Sticky Situations
If you don’t yet have an employee handbook, here are a few reasons you might want one: Protect Your Employment at Will Prerogatives. Employment at will policies provide employers greater latitude when discharging employees and can keep your company out of court! Equipment Use and Return. As the workplace becomes increasingly technologically oriented, employers are providing more equipment for employee use on the job – laptops computers, cell phones, PDAs, etc. What happens if an employee damages or loses an expensive piece of equipment? What if a discharged employee doesn’t return your businesses’ laptop and cell phone? Full Article »

Is Your Workplace a Jungle?
Is your work place office a jungle? Perhaps you’ve met a human snake or been pounced on by a two-legged puma. Maybe some of the guys you work with remind you of monkeys, boars or hyenas. If you want to avoid an unexpected mauling or other jungle disaster, try these strategies. Full Article »

Third Party Custodians- A Word to the Wise
Third Party Custodians are uniquely Alaskan. A Third Party Custodian is an individual citizen assigned by the court (at the request and designation of the accused person) to take physical custody of an accused person in a criminal case. A Third Party custodian is responsible for keeping the accused person within their sight or sound 24 hours a day until released by the court. Full Article »

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