BRADENTON, Fla., May 29, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Gevity (Nasdaq:GVHR), which serves as the full-service human resources department for small and mid-sized businesses, today announced that its clients are reducing their workplace liability exposure and employee turnover thanks to effective employment management practices such as workplace compliance training and performance management tools. Across the country and across industries, the number of employment-related lawsuits continues to rise. Small businesses are particularly vulnerable with statistics showing that of all corporations criminally convicted of unethical business practices in federal courts more than 90% are small businesses and privately held.
Aside from stiff fines, penalties and legal fees, companies suffer significant losses in time, productivity, employee morale, trust and reputation due to employment-related litigation. For this reason, Gevity offers its clients Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI). Created to protect employers of all sizes from damages resulting from workplace liability claims -- such as discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discipline and/or termination, failure to promote, deprivation of career opportunity, infliction of emotional distress and mismanagement of employee benefits plans -- EPLI covers defense costs, judgments and settlements for the company that purchases the insurance as well as its former and current employees, directors and officers. Indeed, in today's litigious climate, having EPLI coverage is considered part of the price of doing business.
Understanding that effective HR practices are the first line of defense, Gevity helps client develop an employee handbook. "At Gevity, we believe that an employee handbook is fundamental to the employer-employee relationship," states Michael J. Collins, a Senior Vice President at Gevity. "As part of our Gevity Edge(tm) solution, we help our clients set clear expectations with their employees from their first day through their last by working closely with each client to create accurate job descriptions, providing them with management training and developing a customized employee handbook that contains company policies and sets expectations around appropriate behavior, including discrimination and harassment, reporting procedures, anti-retaliation policies and progressive counseling.
"These communication tools help employees understand their duties and responsibilities, as well as what's acceptable and required in terms of conduct. And when people know what is expected of them, it's far easier for them to meet and exceed expectations -- and less likely that they will sue the company for wrongful practices," says Collins.
"Whenever a sensitive workplace situation has arisen -- from hiring issues to harassment to employee theft to even an instance when a customer assaulted an employee -- our Gevity Human Resource Consultant has given us invaluable advice that has protected our company and our employees," says David Karner, General Manager, Royce Brook Golf Club, a former PGA "Golf Club of the Year" located in central New Jersey.
Small employers like Royce Brook understand that employee litigation can be costly to their business on a number of levels, not just from a legal and monetary standpoint but from the loss of productivity, low morale and high turnover. However, by implementing and enforcing effective HR practices in the workplace, practices that help you find employees who will be a good organizational fit and motivate the employees you already have, your business can benefit in a number of ways, including better financial results and fewer lawsuits.
About Gevity
Thousands of small and mid-sized businesses nationwide leverage the flexibility and scalability of Gevity's human resources (HR) solution to help them maximize the return on investment in their people. Essentially, Gevity serves as the full-service HR department for these businesses, providing each employee with support previously only available at much larger companies. Gevity delivers the Gevity Edge(tm), a comprehensive solution comprised of innovative management and administration services, helping employers to streamline HR administration, optimize HR practices, and maximize people and performance. This solution enables both businesses and their employees to achieve their full potential, giving them an edge over competitors. Gevity's unique approach features Gevity OnSite(tm), experienced HR Consultants based in local markets backed by nationwide resources and easy-to-use technology, including Gevity OnLine(tm) and Gevity OnCall(tm). For more information, call 1.800.2GEVITY (1.800.243.8489) or visit gevity.com.
A copy of this press release can be found on the company's Web site at www.gevity.com.