Archives

401(k)

401(k) Funds Are Being Diverted for Medical Expenses

The short-term financial impact of COVID-19 has been swift and damaging to many Americans. While we can’t yet calculate the long-term impact, early indications present a serious financial strain on future retirees’ retirement. We know that COVID-19 has increased the retirement gap, and new data from Kiplinger show the extent of this impact: 60% of […]

Blocking Off Free Time on the Calendar

“Free time” is not a term that comes to mind when people think about their workday. In fact, free time and work are two concepts that are about as far apart as one can get. But free time can provide surprising value to employees and companies alike. Scheduling some free time can help reduce stress […]

Top HR Pro at PepsiCo Shares Her Pandemic Experience, Advice for New HR Pros

Since the pandemic began, I’ve been wondering how HR personnel at large organizations have handled themselves, especially those who have a full complement of remote and frontline employees. It’s my pleasure to share with you all today a recent interview with Andrea Ferrara, CHRO for PepsiCo Beverages North America at PepsiCo.

hybrid

Implementing a Hybrid Workplace Plan

Ready or not, COVID-19 has pushed employers into allowing remote work for any suitable role. As we near closer to bringing employees back to their workplaces en masse, many employers are considering implementing some sort of hybrid model.

Diversity

Virginia’s New Office of Civil Rights to Target Bias

Virginia Attorney General (AG) Mark Herring has launched a new Office of Civil Rights to help protect residents from discrimination. The move is seen as a response to the cultural awakening the nation experienced in 2020 after high-profile police shootings and the recognition that once-common offensive behavior toward certain gender groups is no longer acceptable […]

paradox

Avoid Qualifying Input

A surefire way to frustrate a manager is to provide qualified input. Qualifying input is a strategy instinctively used by many employees to avoid committing to a response as a safety measure in case they end up being wrong. However, it also makes employees seem unsure, indecisive, and even lazy.

Tech

Employers Stock Up on Recruiting Tech Stacks to Overcome Pandemic Hiring Challenges

The end of the COVID-19 crisis is near, and while it’s not over yet, employers are preparing for its eventual end by increasing head counts. However, due to the high unemployment rate, recruiters and hiring managers must now brace themselves for the influx of job applications and résumés as jobseekers begin applying to companies en […]

Making Connections and Paving the Way to a Culture of Inclusion

Why do companies want to build diverse workforces and cultivate inclusivity among their staff members at all levels of the organization? It’s not simply because “it’s the right thing to do,” although, of course, we should all strive to build diverse networks and be inclusive in all of our pursuits.

Diversity

What Does DEI Mean for Employers?

DEI is an acronym you’ve probably seen a lot lately. It stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion. While these concepts aren’t new, they’ve taken on renewed focus for employers that want to proactively ensure everyone feels welcome and safe and is treated fairly in their workplace. This country has a long history of marginalizing entire […]

handbook

5 Reasons to Update Your Employee Handbook in 2021

I often tell clients one of the most important documents they need to have is an employee handbook, and it needs to be up to date and legally compliant. Why? An out-of-date, an inaccurate, or a poorly written handbook really can do more harm than good. If you don’t have a handbook, put one in […]