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When Fairness Meets Finance: The New Reality of People Decisions 

By Nirit Peled-Muntz, CPO of HiBob Mar 6, 2026 Learning & Development

Updated: Mar 6, 2026

People decisions are some of the most scrutinized decisions organizations make. Pay adjustments, promotions, bonuses, and headcount choices are no longer quiet HR moments, they are visible, questioned, and often challenged. Employees expect fairness and transparency. Finance leaders expect discipline and predictability. Managers are asked to balance empathy, accountability, and cost often all at once.  This shift matters because it […]

Time to Terminate At-Will Disclaimers? No! Says Expert

By Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR Oct 15, 2008 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Oct 16, 2008

In today’s we-want-to-be-the-employer-of-choice world, isn’t it counterintuitive to be telling each new employee, “We can fire you for any reason or no reason”? In the face of the numerous exceptions to employment-at-will status (see yesterday’s Advisor), why would any company bother with at-will statements? Even though it may seem wrong from a morale standpoint, and […]

When Safety Lands on HR’s Desk

By Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR Oct 20, 2008 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Oct 20, 2008

Is safety part of your portfolio yet? In more and more organizations, HR is taking over safety management. Fortunately, HR managers make great safety managers! In fact (don’t tell the safety people), they often do a better job than technical safety experts do. Why are HR managers so good at safety? Technical safety expertise is […]

Is "Feelings" Training Next for Your Managers?

By Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR Nov 21, 2007 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Nov 21, 2007

No one needs training to feel emotions around the Thanksgiving table, but how about around the conference table? Has the time come for emotional intelligence testing and training? “I wish I had a decoder for each relationship at the office.” “When one of my direct reports starts talking to me about her medical problems, I […]

new hire

Offering New Hires Probationary Periods

By Kelly Creighton Apr 18, 2019 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Apr 18, 2019

Probationary periods allow employers to see whether a new hire is capable of successfully fulfilling the duties of the job he or she is being hired for, but they can also be used as tools to weaponize at-will employment—in which employees can be terminated or quit at any time—if they aren’t implemented correctly.

Employers Warned of New Misclassification Dangers (video)

By HR Hero Nov 7, 2011 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Nov 7, 2011

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is focusing “an enormous amount of attention” on misclassifying workers as exempt, non-exempt, and independent contractors and is throwing significant resources at the problem, according to attorney Susan G. Fentin, who spoke at the recent Advanced Employment Issues Symposium in Nashville, Tennessee. Plus, the DOL and the IRS are […]

Sometimes You’ve Gotta Use the “F” Word

By Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR Dec 1, 2011 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Dec 1, 2011

By Stephen D. Bruce, PHR A recent Wall Street Journal article—“A Four-Letter Word Schools Won’t Use”—intrigued me, says business and leadership blogger Dan Oswald in a recent edition of The Oswald Letter. The Journal article said that colleges absolutely refuse to use the “F” word. Yes, it’s true. Schools avoid using the word “FIRE” at […]

Health Benefits: A Look at Recent HIPAA Developments

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Mar 31, 2007 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

If you have an employer-sponsored health plan, it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest information about the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act, or HIPAA—which imposes requirements regarding the security of medical information, nondiscrimination in health plans, and much more. We’ll take a look at HIPAA developments that are new for 2007.

Are You Actually De-Motivating Your Employees?

By Bob Brady Sep 26, 2007 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Sep 26, 2007

Research shows that workers come on the job already motivated, and common business practices rob them of it. The researchers offer some tools to reverse this process. “Most companies have it all wrong. They don’t have to motivate their employees. They have to stop de-motivating them.” With this one attention-getting statement, three researchers recently demolished […]