HR MAGAZINE · January 2009 Vol. 54, No. 1 Table of Contents COVER STORY: One Workforce—Many Languages Are English classes necessary to manage a multilingual workforce? By Rita Zeidner

Online Highlights Here are links to articles cited in the "SHRM Online Highlights" section in the January issue of HR Magazine. SHRM's Top Research Findings for 2008. Pedal Pushers. Employers can provide extra benefits to employees who commute to work by bicycle. The First 100 Days. President-Elect Barack Obama and the new Congress have a full agenda, including consideration of paycheck fairness bills and the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). Avoid Bonus Blunders. In the struggling economy, effective discussions about bonuses and performances are more critical than ever. Obama Focuses Diversity Issue. The incoming administration has indicated diversity issues will play an important role in reshaping the federal workforce and U.S. military. Realistic Relocation. Allowing enough time to plan for international assignments can help ensure their success. HR in India. To understand how Indian corporations are dealing with the war for talent, SHRM India spoke with HR executives at premier Indian organizations in India’s eight key industry sectors. Make Room for Religion. Accommodating religious beliefs can have a payoff for employer that goes beyond avoiding religious bias complaints. SHRM Video: Eliminating Recruiting Bias. SHRM Video: Nadine Vogel on Disability Benefits for Dependents. SHRM Video: Inconclusive Harassment Investigations. Don Powell on Battling Childhood Obesity.

Q&A
Civic Lessons. Incoming SHRM chair Robb E. Van Cleave brings public-sector savvy.

WORKFORCE READINESS
Mission: Recruitment . The U.S. Army aims to connect soldiers with employer-supported recruitment initiatives.
By Theresa Minton-Eversole

SPECIAL REPORT ON PERFORMANACE MANAGEMENT
Lessons from the Financial Services Crisis. Misguided incentive payouts can push ethical behavior and prudent financial standards out the window.
By Wayne F. Cascio and Peter Cappelli

Curing What Ails Performance Reviews . For all their flaws, performance reviews are still valuable to organizations.
By Adrienne Fox

HR AGENDA: TRAINING
Training on a Shoestring. Consider these tips for making do with less if your training budget is cut back.
By Kathryn Tyler

HR AGENDA: GLOBAL HR
Layoffs in Europe: Deal or No Deal?. Cash isn’t king when conducting reductions in force in the European Union.
By Allen Smith


ADVICE AND ANALYSIS

Solutions: Complaints, Workforce Composition, Productivity, Organizational Values. By Amy Maingault, Regan Halvorsen, Rue Dooley, Liz Petersen
Legal Trends: Make a Resolution: ADA Training Train managers to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act.By Victoria Zellers
HR Technology: Meetings Go Virtual Companies are tapping web-conferencing tools to reduce the need for the old face-to-face. By Elizabeth Agnvall

Executive Briefing Waivers for terminated employees; when it doesn’t pay for an executive to stay; more.
Court Report Independent contractors entitled to overtime; prescription drug use justified termination; more.
What’s New Employee assistance program; employee benefits benchmark reporting service; business valuation tool; more.

From the CEO: HR Resolutions for a Happier New Year. By Laurence O’Neil
From Readers Reductions in force: survivors of layoffs; online applicant systems.
Future Focus. Human Resources Gets Religion. As religious diversity becomes more prominent in the workplace, HR’s accommodation responsibilities will broaden. By Jennifer Schramm
Books in Brief Books in Brief is online. See www.shrm.org/hrmagazine for summaries of 96 Great Interview Questions to Ask Before You Hire, Reward Systems, The Credible Company and Thinking About the Future.

Search All HR Magazine Articles HR Magazine archives