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The Workforce is Ageing....Are Your Young Managers Ready?

A former executive claims he was fired because he was no longer a "cultural fit." Know the age discrimination laws and how to avoid illegal age bias in your workplace.

Getting Rich from Blowing the Whistle - What Employers Need to Know

The new Dodd-Frank Financial Reform Act provides new incentives for whistleblowers and hefty penalties for retaliation. Learn about the new Act and how to prevent retaliation against whistleblowers.

Stopping Rampant Racism in Your Workplace

A roofing contractor will pay $1 million for years of racial harassment and disparate treatment. Learn why racism is so dangerous and how to prevent a racist workplace culture.

Make Social Networking Sites Work for Your Workplace

Social networking sites are reaching new milestones in number of users. Learn what risks they bring and why network policies are more important than ever for employers.

Need a Leader with Problem Solving Skills and Professionalism? Hire a Vet

According to a recent poll by the Society for Human Resource Management, 50 percent of organizations that hired veterans made specific efforts to recruit them.

Poll results show the greatest barrier for veteran applicants is how they translate and describe their military experience to prospective employers. In support, the poll also showed that sixty percent of Human Resource (HR) professionals said that transitioning military skills to civilian job experience presents a challenge in job matching.

As for the success rate of military veterans in the civilian work force, only 13 percent of HR professionals reported issues in transitioning. Performance feedback from 97 percent of employers of military veterans said that veterans bring a strong sense of responsibility to their work. Ninety-six percent said that veterans work well under pressure, and ninety-two percent noted that veterans follow through on tasks. Ninety-one percent highlighted strong leadership skills; 91 reported a high degree if professionalism; and 90 percent observed strong problem-solving skills among veterans. "Why Aren't More Military Veterans Getting Hired?" www.prnewswire.com (June 28, 2010).

Commentary and Poll

Congress passed the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) in 1994 to protect civilian job rights and benefits for military service veterans. The law prohibits employers from discriminating or retaliating against employees or applicants because of past, current or future military obligations. Despite USERRA, veterans returning from active duty, struggle to find jobs.

According to the survey, part of the problem is that employers are unaware of the tools and resources available to support efforts to recruit and hire military veterans. The Department of Labor provides extensive resources for military veterans and civilian employers to support the successful employment of veterans.

Despite the numerous programs to help veterans, many private HR professionals are unaware of the programs that assist employers to identify veterans looking for jobs.

Veterans’ Employment and Training Service(VETS), a division of the U.S. Department of Labor, sponsors several websites to help employers understand applicable laws and match employers with veteran employees. The Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) is one such website. The Local Veteran's Employment Representatives (LVER) program provides additional resources for veterans.

The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service espouses the several advantages to hiring veterans.

Veterans often train to lead by example as well as through direction, delegation, motivation, and inspiration. Veterans also understand how teamwork grows out of a responsibility to colleagues and how to involve a blend of team members for individual and group productivity.

Veterans understand the rigors of tight schedules and limited resources. They know the critical importance of staying with a task until it is done right. Similarly, veterans have learned respect for procedures. They grasp their place within an organizational framework.

This informational piece is part of "News to Use" published on July 20, 2010.

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July 20, 2010

A New Offer From Chubb and HR Acuity On-Demand

Top HR Product of the Year, HR Acuity On-Demand - a New Offer for Chubb EPLI Customers. Reduce legal and financial risks associated with employee misconduct with HR Acuity On-Demand, a complete employee relations tool including a workplace investigation methodology.

Are Your Employees "Tipping" Your Trade Secrets?

A couple is accused of stealing confidential Disney communications and trying to sell them for a profit. Learn what you can do to curb this type of employee theft.

Proper Record Keeping - An Important Part of Avoiding Wage and Hour Liability

The Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor charges an employer almost $1.4 million for not paying wages on time. Learn what the FLSA has to say about paying employees on time and accurate record keeping.

OSHA Cracking Down on Organizations that Trade Safety for Money

An employer will pay $16.6 M in OSHA fines after six workers were killed and 50 others injured in what OSHA is calling a "willful" disregard for safety.

Do You Practice the 20/20/20 Rule with Your Computer?

Employees are spending an average of six hours a day in front of digital devices. Learn how to minimize symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome and other desk-related health issues.