Quality communication goes far beyond organizational structures, clear directives and efficient systems. Time and again, I’ve watched highly effective teams crumble due to a lack of effective dialogue. And that’s because the most successful way to engage and improve your company is not by talking. It’s by listening.

Carrie Clark, a former teacher, says bullies aren’t confined to playgrounds. Sometimes, they run the whole school. And they do more than demand that work get done. They threaten, humiliate or intimidate for reasons unrelated to job performance.

The Workplace Bullying Institute would like to see legislation put in place to protect employees from abusive coworkers or bosses. The California State Council for the Society for Human Resource Management says legislation would leave too much room for subjective analysis. What do you think?

The Society for Human Resource Management has developed a model procedure for handling bullying complaints. Key language includes:

Almost three decades after the implementation of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, many California companies are embroiled in lawsuits or out of business altogether. With that in mind, Assembly Republican Leader Kristin Olsen has made ADA reform a pillar of her legislative agenda.

Last year, I paid someone to relocate for a position with our company. I had the person sign a contract requiring repayment if she left before one year. At one year and two weeks, she quit. Now it’s looking like I need to recruit from out of the area again. Are there any tips you can give me for making sure that the person doesn’t run out the door? 

Has the day has finally arrived to move your business into a new home? Learn how to survive the transition without losing your patience, computers or sanity.

We’re hiring a new office manager and looking for someone trustworthy and friendly. Going through applications, we found that some of the hiring staff were able to view applicants’ Facebook profiles, either due to mutual friends or because of the applicant’s privacy settings. Are there any legal reasons not to do this? Can we raise questions during interviews based on the information we’ve learned via social media?

How would you feel if, during an interview, a potential employer questioned you about a recent post you had made on social media? 

Are you putting yourself at risk? If so, you’re not alone.