Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals (which covers Michigan employers) recently issued a long-awaited decision about the appropriateness of interest rate assumptions used by union pension funds to calculate withdrawal liability. The court affirmed a district court’s opinion holding the Ohio Operating Engineers Pension Fund’s use of the “Segal Blend” violated the Employee Retirement […]
Mentoring, on the other hand, is far more personal and friendship-based, offering non-judgmental support as a positive role model and focusing on a mentee’s longer term personal development. The mentor makes suggestions. The relationship is neither formally evaluated nor connected to job advancement but rather to personal improvement. According to Lois J. Zachary, President of […]
by Tracey A. Cullen It’s no news flash that companies must proceed with caution when classifying someone who provides them with services as an independent contractor. Independent contractors are paid flat fees without tax deductions or employment taxes. Employees are paid salaries subject to withholding, FICA, FUTA, and other employment taxes and are protected under […]
by Tammy Binford Children are taught from the time they can speak to be nice: Say “please” and “thank you,” treat others with respect, empathize with others. But how much of that early training is evident in the workplace? There the ambitious and battle-scarred are likely to remember another lesson they’ve learned along the way: […]
Workplace safety training is most effective when it is part of a comprehensive program that promotes a culture of safety and actively engages employees to keep all employees safe within the organization. How does the safety culture at your company stack up, and how does your training work to promote it?
We’ve reported several stories about Twitter stirring up trouble at work; now it’s Facebook’s turn. While it’s not a big surprise that employees could get themselves into trouble on Facebook, but sometimes it can be shocking how they do it. For example, don’t go partying when you’re out on FMLA leave, and certainly don’t post […]
By Michael Timms Yes, I realize that saying “recruiting is broken” may sound like something Donald Trump would say if he was in the HR business. But as inflammatory as it may sound, it’s true. Think about it. Is your recruiting process delivering, on a regular basis, the top-tier leaders that your company is desperately […]
A strong company culture is no accident. It takes thoughtful intention, investment, and commitment to nurture. And in a world where remote and hybrid work continues to rise, culture can seem elusive. But there’s one simple yet profound fuel for culture that companies too often overlook: connection. As Bruce Zicari, CEO of The Bonadio Group, […]
Studies show that a short nap during the workday may improve both health and productivity. What lesson do Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, Napoleon, and Al Kirschbaum all have for business? That a short “power nap” in the afternoon helps you achieve. Since you probably already know about the world leaders mentioned, let’s take Al […]
According to longstanding scientific research by German psychologist Herman Ebbinghaus, employees will forget up to 50% of what they learned within an hour if they don’t revisit the material they were covering. They’ll forget 70% of what they learned within a day. And they’ll forget 90% of the material they covered within a month!1 This […]