But here you go….New figures just released by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) show another all-time record high employment discrimination charges were filed by employees against private employers in 2011 costing employers more than $450 million.  Nearly 100,000 charges were filed.

Blame it on the economy, aggressive attorneys, or a full moon, but this stuff  is very real and employers who believe “it can’t happen here,” are seriously misreading the times in which we live.  Note the highest number of charges (37%) were based upon a retaliation  claim.

Which leads us to our prior Blog posting, below. Winning Work Teams just happens to be speaking on this very subject at the upcoming meeting of the Central Florida Employers Council on Feb. 14. Check it out.

As strategic Orlando, Florida, Human Resources consultants we provide our Speaker’s Bureau as a public service to assist companies that want to keep ahead of the curve. This new data from the EEOC is one more reason why well-informed companies know the well trained manager is a critical defense in maintaining a winning bottom line. 

Our discussion on Feb. 14 promises to be lively.

Rick                         

Our 2012 public speaking calendar kicks off on Tuesday, February 14, before the Central Florida Employment Council (CFEC) on “The Retaliation Trap:  How to Prepare your Company to Meet the Challenge.”  We’ll dissect this often difficult subject into every day terms to assist in better understanding of this issue which is costing U.S. companies millions of dollars in legal fees, jury awards and settlement costs.  We’ll discuss the basics and share helpful strategies to get out in front of the workplace retaliation issue.

Time is 8:00-9:00 AM.  This event is for employers, HR  and employment recruiters. For details contact Paulette Weir at (407) 834-4223 or at cfec@cfec.org

As strategic Orlando, Florida  Human Resources consultants and business advisors, we understand it’s what you don’t know that can cause problems. 

We hope to see you there!

Rick

I’m teaching the Professional Human Resources and Senior Professional Human Resources prep classes again this semester for HR career professionals seeking to upgrade their skills and expand their knowledge base through the SHRM (Society for Human Resources Management) certification program. The classes are offered by the University of Central Florida (UCF) Office of Continuing Education. We have had a high success rate during the past several years and I highly recommend the content for those who are seeking to enhance their skills in the ever-changing and highly competitive HR world….This is a great resume builder!

Your contact is Sarah Faehnle at UCF.  Her office telephone is (407) 882-0237 and her email address is Sarah.Faehnle@ucf.edu

As strategic Orlando, Florida, Human Resources consultants and advisors we know how important continuous learning is to stay on top of your game!

Rick

Here’s a guy passed up by other NFL teams, who sat on the bench his first season. And the Denver front office seemed unable to make up its mind–play him and delight the fans, or go with the conventional wisdom that the former Gator standout was not NFL QB material.

You don’t need to bleed orange and blue (as a Cal grad my colors don’t match), to be thrilled at how this is playing out….He worked hard, and made the most of the opportunity when his number was finally called.

As strategic Orlando, Florida Human Resources consultants and business advisors, we know there is a lesson here that reasonates far beyond Mile High Stadium into every school, factory and business.

There’s talent out there that just needs a chance to get into the game. Who’s your Gatorman? Play him (or her). It just might make all the difference.

Rick

As strategic Orlando Florida Human Resources consultants and business advisors, here’s our take: 1. Employees, dust off your resume and give it a fresh look. Highlight your “core competencies,” meaning the things you do really well, like leading people, setting team goals or financial analysis.  Highlight these competencies at the top of your resume.  Be prepared for that career oppportunity that may come knocking. 2. For management, get ready for a possible exit of top talent. If you have given your top  producers reason to stay during the recent lean years, check in with them to  make sure that they are OK and willing to stay. For the companies that have taken top talent for granted because “they are lucky to have a job,” get ready for the march to the exit. These folks are looking for greener pastures….There’s a lesson in here that should be familiar by now.

Christina    

And, effectively managing performance is key to victory.  Too many companies fumble away their opportunity for greatness by thinking that performance will “take care of itself.”  You know, as if by magic teams win the Super Bowl.  

Of course top-performing companies know better. High quality performance that carries  big numbers to the bottom line doesn’t happen by accident.  Actively managing performace to align with business goals is a key strategy at the most profitable companies. 

As strategic Orlando Florida Human Resources consultants and business advisors, we recommend that taking a hard look at your current performance management strategy (or lack thereof) be an essential 2012 New Year’s resolution.  Performance Management 101 is an HR fundamental building block. It can make all the difference between losing and winning in 2012.

Rick

We look to 2012 with anticipation, not only for us, but for all the rest of us. We’re hoping the economy finally gains some serious traction so that everyone in America can get back to work!

To all our Florida friends, we wish you, your loved ones and your work teams a very Happy New Year! Let’s make it a very Happy Winning New Year!

Rick and Christina

We appreciate our many new friends and our continuing client friendships here in Florida.

As strategic Orlando, Florida Human Resources consultants and business advisors, we wish you, your families and your work teams all the very best that this season has to offer. 

Happy Holidays!

Rick & Christina

The Florida minimum wage hikes to $7.67/hour on January 1, 2012.  The tipped rate is $4.65/hour, plus tips. Make sure your budget reflects these changes in the event you have minimum wage employees.

As strategic Orlando, Florida Human Resources consultants and business advisors, we recommend companies track these issues to stay ahead of the curve.

Christina

Here you go:

1.  Updated ADA compliant job descriptions for each employee.

2.  An effective performance management system reflecting the corporate culture and values.

3.  An updated employee handbook that is positive yet protects against workplace claims.

As strategic Orlando, Florida Human Resources consultants we know these gifts just keep on giving back all year. 

Happy Holidays! 

Rick