If a court employee sues regarding a condition of employment, the proper defendant can be the judge of the court, the state, the county or any combination of these depending upon the cause of action. There are counties with excellent employee handbooks and counties whose handbooks are deficient. Even if the court’s county is one with an excellent handbook and a county attorney who is experienced in county employment i … [Read more...] about Should You Have an Employee Handbook?
Employment
When Only the Best Will Do (Part Two)
Editor’s Note: This is the second of a two-part article by the author about hiring new employees. The first part appeared in the Court Times JULY/AUGUST issue. Ah, what a joy it is to write about hiring a good employee, rather than disciplining an employee for poor performance. Time spent hiring the right employee is so much more pleasant than dealing with problems. In my previous article, I discussed the selection p … [Read more...] about When Only the Best Will Do (Part Two)
When Only the Best Will Do (Part One)
Lawsuits related to employment issues in the United States have reached a record high. Employment laws and regulations are both ever-changing and ever-increasing creating unintentional traps for the unwary employer. In the employment arena, judicial immunity does not exist. One of the best ways for a judicial employer to avoid litigation is to hire excellent employees. An employee who fits well into your organization … [Read more...] about When Only the Best Will Do (Part One)
Performance Appraisals… To Do or Not To Do?
Experts on employee management are divided regarding whether employers should conduct annual performance appraisals of staff. Judging by the show of hands at the recent Judicial College seminar on office management, Indiana’s judiciary is also divided in its use of performance appraisals. The purpose of this article is to succinctly set forth the pros and cons so each court may make its own decision. A substantial … [Read more...] about Performance Appraisals… To Do or Not To Do?
New Court Payroll System: The Digital Paystub
The times are changing. It used to be that employees knew they had been paid because they received a check. Next came the paper paystub that confirmed a direct electronic deposit. Now direct deposits will be confirmed online. The Auditor of the State is no longer producing paper paystubs to confirm direct deposits. Instead, paystub information is now available online in PeopleSoft. In September, instructions were … [Read more...] about New Court Payroll System: The Digital Paystub