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Amazon Pinched by Labor Shortage

In the space of just under three decades, Amazon grew from an online book seller to a massive online retail empire. Companies that experience such tremendous success rarely do so without controversy, and when keeping prices low is part of the winning recipe, labor wages and conditions are often under constant pressure. Amazon’s Employment Practices […]

Mental Health Crisis in the Workplace—When to Call 911

If a situation with a worker who is clearly having mental issues escalates into a crisis in your workplace, you or another employee may have to call 911. But keep in mind that making this call is different from requesting assistance for a medical emergency. Is your workforce trained to properly handle the situation?

Disability as the Invisible Element of Diversity

When people talk about diversity and inclusion, they often think mainly about race and gender. These two aspects are perhaps the most prominent dimensions of diversity, but they’re far from the only ones. Disability, whether physical or mental, is also an important spectrum of diversity. Unfortunately for both employees and employers, people with disabilities often […]

Equity Out, Civility In?

After the surprise move that sent shockwaves through the HR industry when SHRM removed “equity” from its IE&D program, SHRM President Johnny C. Taylor Jr. cited people’s “confusion” around equity’s meaning as the reason for removing it, in a recent Forbes article. He insists the move wasn’t politically motivated and maintains it was made to […]

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Requiring Drug Tests as a Condition of Employment: Cons

If you’ve been using a mandatory drug screening program as a condition of employment, perhaps you’re already aware that there are a lot of pros and cons involved with doing so. Many employers view such a program as mandatory because an employer has an obligation to provide a safe working environment.

HR Issues that Arise when Natural Disasters Hit

Natural disasters raise a host of issues for employers, regardless of whether these employers have a direct presence in the affected areas or whether they have employees residing in or telecommuting from them. Sometimes employers are forced to close or are able to remain open in some capacity, but employees are not able to travel […]

Faces of HR: How Elizabeth Cowper Finds Balance Between People and Strategy

Elizabeth Cowper has spent over two decades shaping the people strategies of some of the world’s most iconic brands. From Planet Organic to LVMH and Tapestry (the company behind Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman), she has consistently been at the forefront of building dynamic workplaces. With a reputation as the “Culture Adjuster,” Cowper has been recognized as one of HR’s […]

Improving Nutrition at Work? Only the Carbohydrates Should Be Complex

Proper nutrition is one of the easiest ways to keep our bodies fueled for the challenges of day-to-day life, but too often, our diets let us down. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 76% of Americans don’t eat enough fruit, and 87% don’t eat enough vegetables. We get too little dairy and […]

9 Ways to Maximize Comp in Tough Times

Here’s are Wudyka’s 9 top tips for 2011:  1. Reexamine Your Pay Program  The bad economy has produced a tremendous opportunity for us to improve our compensation plans, Wudyka says. For example, consider gainsharing, he suggests. It only pays out when company does better.  2. Reallocate Comp Dollars  Re-examine the way that you allocate comp […]