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)
Personnel
Judicial Hiring and Administrative Appointments Revisited
Some rules of conduct are worth repeating. This is one of them. Generally, it is not a good idea for a judge to hire a family member or friend as a court employee or to appoint them to an administrative position. There are a number of practical reasons for this view, including that the Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct requires judges to make hiring and appointment decisions in a fair and impartial … [Read more...] about Judicial Hiring and Administrative Appointments Revisited
District Training Sessions for Court Employees
Find Out How You Can Set Up a Training Program in Your District During the fiscal year 2009-10, the Indiana Supreme Court offered educational programs to over 1000 judicial branch personnel, including trial court staff, Supreme Court agency employees, elected Clerks and clerk staff. Four types of delivery methods were employed to provide training: state-wide conferences, district/county-wide seminars, in-house … [Read more...] about District Training Sessions for Court Employees
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?
In Memoriam: Debbie Guthrie-Jones
Long-Time Court Employee Fondly Remembered— Debbie Guthrie-Jones, 58, of Indianapolis, passed away February 7, 2010. Debbie was born May 22, 1951 in New Castle, Indiana. Since 1986, she worked as a dedicated employee of the Indiana Supreme Court as an Administrative Assistant to its Division of State Court Administration. She served as Production and Distribution Coordinator for the Indiana Court Times and ably s … [Read more...] about In Memoriam: Debbie Guthrie-Jones