December 2003 

HR MAGAZINE · December 2003
Vol. 48, No. 12
Table of Contents

COVER STORIES
The Metrics Maze. Little by little, experts and practitioners are learning how to value the contributions of people.
Steve Bates

Measuring HR? Benchmarking Is Not the Answer! Traditional functional benchmarks have limited utility, and they may even be counterproductive.
Brian Becker and Mark Huselid

EMPLOYMENT LAW
A Bias That’s Skin Deep. Some employers have yet to scratch the surface of color discrimination.
Patrick Mirza

Constant Inconsistency. Employers that deal with different EEOC offices say their experiences vary widely.
Robert J. Grossman

STRATEGIC HR
Throwing the Switch. Challenging the boss is a daunting but necessary role for HR executives.
Pamela Babcock

BENEFITS
Defusing the Discontent. HR can help prevent finger-pointing by employees who blame health coverage increases on co-workers’ lifestyles.
Linda Wasmer Andrews

HR AGENDA: RETIREMENT PLANNING
The Fewer the Better. Too many 401(k) fund choices can stifle participants’ decision-making.
Chris Taylor

HR AGENDA: COMPENSATION
When to Pay Signing Bonuses. Bidding wars and morale issues can make signing bonuses tricky.
Mary E. Medland

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS

From The President. Acquiring Technology Savvy Pays off for HR Susan Meisinger
From The Editors. Measuring human capital; color discrimination charges; EEOC inconsistencies. Leon Rubis and Patrick Mirza
Management Tools: Fueling Deadline Urgency. Try these tactics to help employees keep the momentum for finishing long-term projects on time. Dan Carrison
HR Solutions: Mass E-mails, Medical Data, Extra Pay. Diane Lacy, Linda K. Anguish and Ruhal Dooley
Legal Trends: Get Quid Pro Quo When They Go. Avoid funding ex-employee lawsuits by securing enforceable releases of claims in exchange for severance packages. Jonathan A. Segal
Future Focus: Brace for Turnover. If jobless recovery becomes the norm for economic downturns, the dynamics of employment will change significantly. Jennifer Schramm
Executive Briefing. A leadership lesson from major league baseball; debate continues on pending labor shortage; more.
Letters. Labor shortage; thwarting employee embezzlement.
HR Technology. Time to Lay Groundwork
Court Report. Cooking the books; unfounded fears of HIV; more.
Books in Brief
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