October 2008 

Vol. 53     No. 10 

COVER STORY
Politics in the Office
Presidential politics heats up discussions—and emotions—in the workplace. 
Adrienne Fox

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
After the Layoff: How Are You Feeling?
Get help—through colleagues and counselors—to cope with the emotional toll of a layoff.
Adrienne Fox

PROFILE
Insightful Career Choice
Denise Peppard took over as head of human resources for Wyeth last January—affirming her career choice. 
Bill Leonard

FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNT
Business Education à la Carte
Rutgers University professors tailored a business education curriculum specifically for Graybar Electric Co.’s emerging leaders.
Beverly L. Propst

SPECIAL REPORT ON TECHNOLOGY
Stay Ahead of the Technology Use Curve 
Employers need to think broadly and creatively when crafting their technology use policies.
Bill Roberts

SPECIAL REPORT ON TECHNOLOGY
Appraising Appraisal Software
Online performance appraisal systems can help HR professionals better manage employee evaluation procedures.
Drew Robb

SPECIAL REPORT ON TECHNOLOGY
Manage Candidates Right from the Start
When job applications pour in, technology tools can help you handle the deluge and give every job seeker prompt, courteous attention throughout the hiring process—and beyond.
Bill Roberts

DIVERSITY
Mine the Potential of Multicultural Teams.
Overcome differences in language and leadership styles to increase productivity.
Sangeeta Gupta

EMPLOYMENT & STAFFING
Closing the Sale.
Demonstrate the art and science of selecting the right candidates for sales positions.
Matt Bolch

FROM THE CEO
Tomorrow’s Challenges Are HR Issues.
Human resource professionals can change lives—and the world.
Laurence O’Neil

HR SOLUTIONS
Exempts with Two Jobs, Reviews, Injuries.
Shari Lau, Lesa Albright Scott, Angela Stone

MANAGEMENT TOOLS
Clear Up Overtime Confusion.
Understand the fuzzy areas of overtime to protect your company from wage and hour liability. Paul Falcone

LEGAL TRENDS
Encouraging Absenteeism.
Wishful thinking won’t make the possibility of an influenza pandemic go away. Are you prepared? Jonathan A. Segal

FUTURE FOCUS
Work/Life on Hold?.
The economy is stifling work/life balance initiatives—for now.
Jennifer Schramm

EXECUTIVE BRIEFING
Trust in senior leadership affects productivity; guard against retirement scams; more.

FROM READERS
Reimbursable nonprescription drugs; more.

COURT REPORT
Inclusion of FMLA-type benefits in handbook may bind company; political affiliation claim fails; more.

WHAT'S NEW
Compensation tracking system; benefits management tool; online career services for older workers; more.

BOOKS IN BRIEF
Books in Brief is online. See www.shrm.org/hrmagazine for summaries of Employment Relationships, Performance Counseling, The Star Profile and The Essential HR Handbook.