Employers usually have a number of questions about the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which governs wage and hour rules – when and how employers are obligated to pay employees for time worked or not worked under law. Here are answers to 3 frequently asked questions about issues related to FLSA.
How to Manage FMLA Intermittent Leave: 7 Strategies

There is probably no task more cumbersome for HR professionals than managing intermittent leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Intermittent leave allows qualified employees to take FMLA leave in small blocks of time (such as one hour) versus one block of 12 weeks.
Lake-Geauga Fast Track 50 seeking nominations
In its 20th year, the Lake-Geauga Fast Track 50 Award once again recognizes the 50 fastest growing companies in Lake and Geauga Counties. Winners of the award are based on average sales and employment growth from 2007 through 2011. The most current nomination form can be found online at: www.fasttrack50.org.
12 Answers to Common ‘Paid Time Off’ Questions

Paid time off policies (PTO), managing absenteeism, and administering summer holidays like July 4th are always common issues for employers during the summer months. Here are 12 answers to common questions about PTO and summer holidays to help your organization navigate these challenges and create a competitive PTO plan.
New Recognition Program for Northeast Ohio HR Professionals
ERC is very pleased to announce a new recognition program for Northeast Ohio HR professionals in 2013 – The HR Awards. This program is a joint collaboration between ERC and the Cleveland Society for Human Resource Management (CSHRM). The HR Awards recognize Northeast Ohio HR professionals who have demonstrated excellence in the field of human resource management. The awards honor all levels of HR practitioners, from individuals in local SHRM student chapters to HR executives.
An Employer’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Device Policies
As new technology continues to shape the workplace and the use of social media and mobile devices at work becomes more widespread, organizations must create and enforce employment policies to protect themselves from the risks and liabilities associated with these new applications for working. Here’s a short guide which contains important tips and guidelines for creating social media and mobile device policies.
10 Qualities of Remarkable HR Leaders

Remarkable HR leaders can emerge at any level. Whether they are an entry-level recruiter with a strong ability to hire unique talent, a tenured training manager who has a knack for building employees’ skill sets, or a mid-level employee relations specialist with a unique skill for enhancing employee engagement, remarkable HR leaders impact their workplaces in positive ways.
3 Keys to Good Customer Service

Good customer service is the heart of every business. It flows from employees who engage internal and external customers, meet their needs, and exceed their expectations. Good customer service creates a “wow” experience for your customers, leaves a positive impression, encourages repeat business, and ideally refers other customers to your organization. So how do you get your employees on-board? Here are 3 critical elements of good customer service.
4 Questions Every Manager Needs to Answer
Successful, effective performance management by managers essentially boils down to simply answering 4 key questions for your employees.
Drug Testing Policies in the Workplace
Drug testing has become a hot button political issue with the 2012 report by the National Conference of State Legislatures that 28 states across the country have either considered or passed legislation establishing drug testing requirements for individuals enrolled in various types of public assistance programs, including unemployment benefits. The constitutionality of many of these laws is currently in question, but what do drug testing policies look like outside of the realm of the State?
10-Step Guide for Your Company Summer Picnic

The annual company summer picnic or outing is a tradition for many organizations and a time to get creative to give your staff and their families a memorable experience. We’ve compiled a 10-step guide to creating a fun and unforgettable summer picnic for your employees which includes suggestions for possible local venues, entertainment, activities, food, and tips for managing the logistics.
How Employers Can Fill the Skill Gap
Organizations across the region continue to face challenges in finding the right employees and talent. What’s the solution to this dilemma? We weigh in on the skill-gap problem facing many employers and several practical things you can do to obtain the skills you need.