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marijuana

Immigration, Marijuana Don’t Mix

If members of your workforce are immigrants (they have a green card) or are working temporarily in the United States in any visa category, including as farm workers, hospitality workers, healthcare workers, or students, they shouldn’t use any drugs or substances prohibited under federal or state drug schedules. The schedules prohibit cannabis, or marijuana, use […]

hiring

Hiring People in Recovery: The Case for How it Benefits Employers

People recovering from addiction (also called a substance use disorder) face an unemployment rate three times higher than the average rate, according to a 2017 study by the Recovery Research Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital. Many employers fear that people in recovery will threaten the company’s success. In reality, they offer unique strengths you can’t […]

Maintaining, or Refining, Company Culture During and After the Pandemic

A company’s “culture” is a complex concept. Company culture is undeniably important to any business, but it’s difficult to come up with a concise definition. It’s even harder to effectively and consciously steer that culture in one direction or another, especially during a pandemic. Defining Company Culture Indeed provides the following definition of company, or […]

Are There Positive Effects of Procrastination?

Regardless of one’s field or type of employment, everyone is guilty of procrastinating at one time or another. Procrastination almost has the status of a four-letter word, which makes it hard to argue that there are positives to putting off work or obligations indefinitely. But is it possible there could be cognitive benefits to putting […]

Improving Diversity in Remote Work Environment

The pandemic presented significant challenges this past year. Many employees had to live and work at home while socially distanced from close family and friends. Companies also had to adjust by moving to remote work environments to keep employees safe while still responding to issues surrounding equity, diversity, and inclusion. Despite the perceived downsides, business […]

Alcoholism and the ADA

Have you ever wondered if alcoholism may be covered as a disability? If you have, you’re not alone. This topic can be perplexing for anyone learning about Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) specifics, especially with how they pertain to current or previous drug or alcohol use.

talent

Talent Management vs. Talent Acquisition: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to making sure you have the best of the best on your team, you’ve probably tossed around the word talent. But talent is a vague and imprecise term. Furthermore, attracting talent and then keeping that talent around require totally different skill sets. If your HR department is in charge of creating job […]

Train Dispatcher’s Failure-to-Accommodate Claim Derailed by Excessive Absenteeism

Courts have consistently found regular employee attendance can be an essential function for certain positions that employers don’t have to eliminate in the name of providing an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (Act). In other words, ignoring absences when regular attendance is an essential function wouldn’t be a reasonable accommodation. The U.S. 5th […]

silo

Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Payroll

Processing payroll has a lot of variables. Organizations need to understand federal, state, and local income tax requirements; how to process wage garnishments; how to set up payments for any benefits that come out of payroll, etc. There are also regulatory and compliance issues like the distribution of W-2s.