Contact: David Carew
(615) 661-0249, ext. 8077
dcarew@mleesmith.com

New Nationwide Biz Survey Sheds New Light on Employee Misconduct - and the Best Ways to Stop It

Poll on HRhero.com Web Site Provides Real-World Guidance for Tackling a Significant Workplace Problem

NASHVILLE, TN, August 31, 2004 — A just-released poll of nearly 2,000 HR managers, conducted nationwide during August 2004, shows how “in the trenches” workplace managers are preventing and addressing a widespread workplace problem—employee misconduct.

Conducted my M. Lee Smith Publishers LLC on its heavily trafficked www.HRhero.com website, the nationwide poll of human resources professionals reveals that “goofing off,” “excessive personal phone calls,” and “misuse of Internet or e-mail” were the most widely experienced examples of employee misconduct.

Nearly 50% of the HR managers also deemed “lying to the boss” a significant employee-misconduct problem, with another 1 in 5 citing “stealing from the company” a major problem.

Asked to share their most effective strategies for preventing and addressing employee misconduct, the consensus that emerged among respondees was:

"Define expectations. Address the issues. Give opportunity for improvement and correction. Document as you go. Be sure it is not a surprise to the employee if he or she ultimately is terminated.”

The complete survey results may be viewed by clicking here:
http://www.HRhero.com/survey/results.cgi?misconduct

About M. Lee Smith Publishers LLC
Founded in 1975, M. Lee Smith Publishers LLC of Brentwood, Tennessee (Nashville area) is the only company in America that produces a state-specific workplace law newsletter for all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. The newsletters are produced under the umbrella of the Employers Counsel Network, a nationwide network of law firms practicing employment law in each of the 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and Canada. The company also produces other newsletters, national workplace law audio seminars and conferences, and other information products for HR professionals, business people, and attorneys.

The company also offers full-service publishing and printing for other companies' newsletters.

Click here for more information about M. Lee Smith Publishers.