Archives

Why Your RTO Mandate is Exposing a Leadership Gap—and How to Fix It

As the global Return to Office (RTO) debate continues to heat up, HR leaders are caught in a “tug-of-war” between executive mandates for physical presence and a workforce that has redefined “security” as autonomy. While leadership often views the office as a tool for surveillance, employees increasingly see the commute as a tax on their […]

4th Circuit Rules Agreements Can’t Shorten Time to File Antidiscrimination Claims

The federal statutes prohibiting employment discrimination, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), establish specific periods during which employees must act to timely pursue a claim. In a recent decision, the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals (which encompasses Maryland, North Carolina, South […]

Winning on Purpose: Chick-Fil-A’s “My Pleasure” Secrets to a Gold-Standard Culture

In the world of HR, “culture” is often a buzzword that feels hard to pin down. But for Nicholas Lawrence, Executive Director of People & Culture, local franchise for Chick-fil-A Indianapolis, culture isn’t a vague feeling—it’s a measurable standard. During a webinar ahead of his session at SPARK HR 2026, Lawrence shared how one of the […]

Building an AI-Ready Workforce Starts with CHROs

The main narrative around AI has focused on what jobs will be replaced and when. But more data is showing that some of these companies might be running before they can walk. As powerful as this technology has become, AI alone is not enough. Gartner recently predicted that by 2027, half of the companies that […]

HRDA Frankly Speaking: Don’t Let Yesterday’s Wins Sink Tomorrow’s Success

Are you leading on autopilot? It’s easy to get comfortable when things are going well, but in the world of HR, “good enough” is the first step toward falling behind. As Nicholas Lawrence, Executive Director of People and Culture at Chick-fil-A and speaker at SPARK HR 2026, explains, a winning culture isn’t a trophy you keep […]

How HR Can Win, Manager to Manager

Action plans are only as good as the system that supports them. After the survey closes and priorities are set, managers are often expected to deliver results without the structures, skills, or motivation needed to succeed. So, what can HR professionals do to help managers actually function? We asked upcoming SPARK HR speaker, I/O psychologist, […]

How to Plan and Conduct Successful HR Data Migration 

Human resources (HR) data is one of the most important pieces of information stored in the modern enterprise, serving as a strategic, organizational backbone. It comprises some of an institution’s most sensitive data, including employee records, payroll information, and performance history.  When this data needs to be migrated, whether for system upgrades or merger requirements, companies must ensure that the information remains intact […]

DOL’s Workplace AI Strategy Follows Historical Approach to Technology

In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is responding consistently with its historical approach to technological advancements. Before adopting AI-related compliance frameworks, the DOL is prioritizing workforce readiness for an AI-powered world. Aligned with the current administration’s policies, the DOL’s approach promotes innovation over restriction and guidance over enforcement, […]

NLRB Finding Its Way, or Does Anyone Benefit From a Nonfunctioning Board?

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)—the oldest “super agency,” created in 1935—is newly reconstituted and will be finding its way in an unprecedented setting and facing unprecedented challenges.  Background  President Trump, in an unprecedented move, fired Board Member Gwen Wilcox in January 2025, despite provisions in the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) bestowing tenure protections […]

Department of Labor Issues FMLA Guidance in Recent Opinion Letters

Earlier this year, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued opinion letters offering employers guidance regarding certain family and medical leave matters under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). As with other opinion letters, they are nonbinding on the courts, but they serve as valuable insight to employers on the DOL’s expectations regarding an employer’s […]