Comments for HR Gumbo http://www.hrgumbo.com Official Blog of Big Bend SHRM Sat, 07 May 2011 11:35:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on HR vs. IT Deathmatch by HRMS http://www.hrgumbo.com/2009/11/17/hr-vs-it-deathmatch/comment-page-1/#comment-10033 HRMS Sat, 07 May 2011 11:35:32 +0000 http://www.hrgumbo.com/?p=443#comment-10033 Great post. You have explained the differences between HR and Information technology. Nice points to share with friends. Thanks for giving helpful notes. Great post. You have explained the differences between HR and Information technology. Nice points to share with friends. Thanks for giving helpful notes.

]]> Comment on Is Participant Choice a Good Idea in a Retirement Plan? by Roger Levy http://www.hrgumbo.com/2010/02/12/is-participant-choice-a-good-idea-in-a-retirement-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-565 Roger Levy Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:35 +0000 http://www.hrgumbo.com/?p=530#comment-565 Mr. Boercker lends his voice to a growing realization that reliance on participant direction to achieve the ERISA goal of retirement income security is failing. He cites ample proof and this is supported by other studies. Unfortunately, whether a 401(k) plan's investments are directed by participants or by professional managers is a matter of plan design for the plan sponsor and therefore not necessarily a fiduciary decision. But fiduciaries acting in the best interests of participants should encourage the plan sponsor to consider placing all investment decisions in the hands of professionals. Participant gravitation towards lifestyle and target date funds and the use of ETF's and index funds points to a growing desire to leave asset allocation to others. For many plan sponsors, it make sense to put participants out of their misery and remove their investment direction rights. For many, this will be the prudent thing to do. Mr. Boercker lends his voice to a growing realization that reliance on participant direction to achieve the ERISA goal of retirement income security is failing. He cites ample proof and this is supported by other studies. Unfortunately, whether a 401(k) plan’s investments are directed by participants or by professional managers is a matter of plan design for the plan sponsor and therefore not necessarily a fiduciary decision. But fiduciaries acting in the best interests of participants should encourage the plan sponsor to consider placing all investment decisions in the hands of professionals. Participant gravitation towards lifestyle and target date funds and the use of ETF’s and index funds points to a growing desire to leave asset allocation to others. For many plan sponsors, it make sense to put participants out of their misery and remove their investment direction rights. For many, this will be the prudent thing to do.

]]> Comment on Happy Regulated Holidays by Lori Goldsmith, SPHR, GPHR http://www.hrgumbo.com/2009/12/22/happy-regulated-holidays/comment-page-1/#comment-488 Lori Goldsmith, SPHR, GPHR Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:07:49 +0000 http://www.hrgumbo.com/?p=475#comment-488 This brings to mind a cartoon from several years ago. I do not recall the cartoonist. The HR director is speaking to her staff and saying that their goal is to create manual that is gender, ethnic and age neutral while celebrating their spirit of diversity. It is not about right vs. wrong. It is about right and right. We cannot achieve diversity by trying to make our staff into cookie cutters. Diversity can only be achieved by awareness and respecting our different heritages. It still does not mean an “anything goes”, respect and responsibility is key. Personally, I am not offended when I am wished a Merry Christmas. I’m just pleased to have the well wishes. This brings to mind a cartoon from several years ago. I do not recall the cartoonist. The HR director is speaking to her staff and saying that their goal is to create manual that is gender, ethnic and age neutral while celebrating their spirit of diversity.

It is not about right vs. wrong. It is about right and right. We cannot achieve diversity by trying to make our staff into cookie cutters. Diversity can only be achieved by awareness and respecting our different heritages. It still does not mean an “anything goes”, respect and responsibility is key.

Personally, I am not offended when I am wished a Merry Christmas. I’m just pleased to have the well wishes.

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