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Remember the Titans to Build a Cohesive Team

Recently, at a company luncheon, I was asked about my favorite movie. Ask about the business and I’m quick with an answer. But the question about my favorite movie was nearly a stumper. I scrambled to come up with something and ultimately came up with a reply, but really wasn’t satisfied with my response. Well, […]

Training: Can We Recoup Training Costs From Departing Employees?

One of our employees just quit-two weeks after finishing an expensive monthlong training program that we paid for. We also paid her salary while she was in training. Can we somehow force this ex-employee to reimburse us? Is there some way to set up a policy or contract with new trainees that protects us from […]

quit

What to Do When an Employee Suddenly Quits

One of the most uncomfortable feelings in the business world is being suddenly dropped by an employee. You thought things were going well and that this person was satisfied in his or her role, only for the person to quit? All sorts of emotions may surface—anger at being “abandoned,” frustration because of a lack of […]

interview

What Do Employers Really Need to Know About Job Applicants?

Employers invest significant time, energy, and resources in bringing a new employee onboard.  Recruiting, screening, and interviewing processes are all done with the goal of hiring an employee who will do a job well and work well within an organization.  So what do employers need to know to hire successfully?  And what are the things […]

digital

The Evolving Role of HR and Finance in Supporting Digital Transformation

With 2020 marking the beginning of a new decade, the relentless drive of digital transformation has now coalesced with the new realities of the coronavirus pandemic, creating an unprecedented time for businesses and consumers alike. While company leaders are focused on employee communications and trying to execute business continuity plans, many of which may not […]

Ignore Them and They’ll Go Away: Dealing With Toxic Employees

“Ignore them and they will go away” was advice that I heard about bullies when I was a kid (and about teeth by one snarky dentist). Whether that approach works or not, that certainly seems to be what fellow employees do most often to their toxic co-workers. Recent research shows that 44% of respondents say […]

The Hidden Art of Becoming a Samurai Listener

We tend to treat the ability to listen well as a soft skill, or something with which you are born or otherwise mysteriously acquire. But it can be the crux trait for advancing your career. If you put the art of communication in business settings into the context of reading an opponent in the martial […]

balance

Do You Know about Green Benefits?

Does your organization offer “green” benefits? Green benefits are benefits that are environmentally friendly in some way. Employers may want to offer green benefits for several different reasons. First, they may be in alignment with company goals and values. Next, they may be a great way to recruit individuals who value the environment and sustainability. […]

Court Upholds Arbitrator’s Reinstatement of Employee Fired for Positive Drug Test

A federal district court in Massachusetts recently issued a decision that serves as a good reminder to employers to review their policies related to employee drug or alcohol use both on and off duty and ensure they are consistently applied. While the case involved a unionized employer, even nonunion employers should review the decision because […]