Scheduling
Time & Attendance
Forecasting
HRIS
Payroll
Task Management
Performance Management
Employee Engagement
Workplace Culture
By Staff Report
Sep. 7, 2011
Issue: As you walk into work one day, you notice that smokers have congregated at the entry way to the building, despite a workplace no-smoking prohibition. On the way to your office, you see a conversation between men wearing casual clothing. As you approach them you hear talk of strategic issues, but the next thing you hear is “Go to hell.” You remember that yesterday you heard complaints about one employee who was “snapping” at her coworkers for no apparent reason. What’s happening here?
Answer: These types of behavior in the workplace show a lack of civility and respect for others. Employees in charge of entertaining clients who lack knowledge of the “social graces” may put the employer at a considerable business disadvantage. Even worse, employees who do not know the boundaries of appropriate workplace conduct can put the employer at risk for litigation by, for example, posting offensive cartoons on a cubicle wall or becoming intoxicated at a company function and driving home.
Many employees do not understand that their behavior is improper or offensive or do not understand the potential ramifications of their behavior. If an employer fails to provide clear guidance to employees, the employer may well be liable for unauthorized conduct that has been tolerated.
What should HR do?
Take proactive steps. Depending upon the need and the context, employers should give some consideration to communicating appropriate manners and conduct to their employees:
Source: CCH Incorporated is a leading provider of information and software for human resources, legal, accounting, health care and small business professionals. CCH offers human resource management, payroll, employment, benefits, and worker safety products and publications in print, CD, online and via the Internet. For more information and other updates on the latest HR news, check our Web site at http://hr.cch.com.
The information contained in this article is intended to provide useful information on the topic covered, but should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion.
Schedule, engage, and pay your staff in one system with Workforce.com.
Staffing Management
4 proven steps for tackling employee absenteeismabsence management, Employee scheduling software, predictive scheduling, shift bid, shift swapping
Time and Attendance
8 ways to reduce overtime and labor costslabor costs, overtime, scheduling, time tracking, work hours
Don't miss out on the latest tactics and insights at the forefront of HR.