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People Are People, Not Human Resources

It’s always good to remember that people are people, says business and leadership blogger Dan Oswald. In our society, we tend to put some people on a pedestal. Athletes, actors, musicians, and even business executives are revered and idolized. Consider how Michael Jordan, George Clooney, Elvis Presley, and Steve Jobs are perceived. Oswald, CEO of […]

ADA

MN Employer’s Attendance Policy Outweighs Former Employee’s ADA, FMLA Claims

Regular attendance at the worksite can be an essential job function, the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals (whose rulings apply to all Minnesota employers) recently reminded employers, upholding the termination of an employee who had violated the employer’s attendance policy. As a result, the former employee can no longer pursue her Americans with Disabilities […]

Faces of HR: How Kate Westrin Cultivates Connections at Xero

Kate Westrin, Head of PX (People Experience) Partnering, Product Engineering & Americas at Xero, a global small business platform, thrives at the intersection of people and purpose. Leading a global team, she collaborates with senior leadership to foster a diverse and inclusive workforce that aligns with Xero’s ambitious goals. With over 15 years of experience […]

Disabilities: Possible accommodations for chemical sensitivities

Millions of individuals suffer from allergies or asthma, which can be exacerbated by common environmental agents, such as pollen, dust, latex, nuts, ink, toner, cleaning supplies, fingernail polish, lotions, cologne, and more. Since many of the offending substances are regularly found in workplaces, employers must understand their duty to accommodate those who develop an aversion to odors and allergies in the workplace

A Legal Guide to Navigating Mental Health Disabilities and Ableism at Work

More than 15 percent of all working-age adults live with a mental health condition. Mental health conditions are medical conditions which involve “changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these)” and “can be associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities.” Mental health conditions are prevalent in the […]

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Unlimited Vacation: Worker Exploitation or Dream Benefit?

The term “unlimited vacation policy” is almost a Rorschach test. Is it a marketing slogan for a system to exploit workers, or is it an attractive benefit that recognizes the changing nature of many workplaces?