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Clark Schaefer Strategic HR's wheel of HR Services, including HR Strategy, Recruitment, Training & Development, Benefits & Compensation, Communications, Employee Relations, Recordkeeping, and Health, Safety & Security
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Communication During the Holidays

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Question: I’m concerned about productivity during and after the holidays. How can I communicate my expectations in a friendly yet forceful manner? Answer: It’s a wonderful time of the year — shopping for gifts, decorating our homes, baking, traveling to be with family. Stress can also increase for many people during the holidays with the overall […]
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Improving the Flow of Communication

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Question: Until recently I thought we did a good job of communicating with our employees, but now I’m getting blind-sided with issues that I had no idea were brewing and it is obviously affecting productivity. How can I improve the flow of communication? Answer: As you have learned, the role of communication in the workplace […]
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Starting An Employee Newsletter

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Question: My CEO would like HR to publish an employee newsletter. What should I include in the newsletter? Answer: The first question I would ask is ‘what is the purpose of the newsletter?’ Why does your CEO think a newsletter is needed and what is the goal? You will select topics and include articles that […]
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Requiring Employee Contact Information

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Can my company require our employees to provide their personal cell phone number and home email address?
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Employee Newsletter – Planning

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Question: My CEO wants HR to start producing an employee newsletter. How do I start? Answer: This is a huge undertaking – but one that is surmountable with the proper planning. To get started you need to outline your plan by determining the following: Objective: Why are you doing this? What is the newsletter’s objective – […]
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Attendance Point System Policy

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Question: We have an attendance point system policy for our nonexempt employees that gives points for each occurrence of absence.  It feels like people have learned to “play” the system, either by missing multiple days in a row (which count as one occurrence) or always missing Mondays or Fridays.  Do you have a suggestion on […]
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Are Holiday Gifts, Prizes or Parties Taxable Wages?

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Question: Are holiday gifts, prizes or parties taxable wages? Answer: With the holiday season approaching, organizations may find that individuals or groups who benefit from the organization’s services, desire to make year-end gifts to the organization’s employees for their loyal service. Employee gifts in the form of cash or gift certificates/coupons, regardless of the amount, are […]
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NEWSLETTER DISCLAIMER

The recommendations and opinions provided by Clark Schaefer Strategic HR and its staff are advisory only and are based on general human resource management fundamentals, practices and principles, and are not legal opinions or guaranteed outcomes. This information is provided with the understanding that the user assumes the risk of verifying information used from this site when interpreting it for their own use. We strongly recommend, as part of a team approach to management, that companies consult with their legal counsel to address specific legal concerns related to human resource issues.