In This Issue:

Political Drama In New Hampshire: Showdown Over Right To Work

By Reyburn Lominack (Columbia) and Steve Bernstein (Tampa)

Like its New England neighbors, New Hampshire has long been perceived as a friendly state for labor unions. Much like Wisconsin, many would view it as an unlikely candidate for legal reforms that attempt to shift the balance away from organized labor. Yet New Hampshire stands poised to become the first state in many years, and the only one within the Northeastern United States, to pass comprehensive right-to-work legislation that would do just that. Even more remarkably, a growing number of other states are now entertaining the same notion. We believe this may be the start of a nationwide trend....

Do Your Job Descriptions Still Fit?

By Tillman Coffey (Atlanta)

Almost everyone has clothes in their closet that no longer fit. Admit it; things change, whether it’s the fashion or you. In fact, some of those clothes probably never really fit, despite your alterations and efforts. Maybe you thought you would “grow” into them. Or maybe you thought you looked good enough. No problem.

Now picture your company’s job descriptions. Do they still fit today? Did they ever really fit? Maybe the company got them off the rack and added an employee’s name without regard to whether the job description actually “described” the job expected to be performed. Or maybe the job description was accurate when created but, as the job changed, the written description of the job did not. No matter how it happened, a bad fit is a bad fit. In the case of job descriptions, a bad fit is probably more serious than a fashion mistake....

Managing Baby Boomers

By Robert McCalla (New Orleans)

There have been many comments and analyses lately about how employers should handle the emerging youngest generation, usually referred to as Gen Y. But as the 77 million baby boomers begin reaching 65 years of age this year, they will present some unique challenges to employers.

On one side of the issue, there will be the continuing challenge of making sure your work force retains sufficient employees with critical skills and experience to benefit the operation. The well-publicized problem created by the coming retirement of large numbers of experienced air traffic controllers is an example. To address this side of the issue, employers are taking various steps to keep these valuable employees in their work force including flexible work schedules, restructuring of job duties and responsibilities, creation of consulting positions, and positive reinforcement and encouragement....