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How to Use Humor to Boost Human Effectiveness

As an engineer, I am obsessed with efficiency. Even my name is efficient: My full name is Andrew, but I go by Drew because it’s only one syllable. But through my work with organizations around the globe, I’ve learned that you can’t be efficient with humans because they have “emotions” and “feelings” and get “sick” […]

What makes a good employee: education, experience, or something more?

It doesn’t seem to make sense: Employers complain of a lack of suitable applicants despite being inundated with a glut of highly educated jobseekers. Applicants are confused, too. A recent study from McKinsey & Company’s Center for Government found that 44 percent of young U.S. jobseekers included in a survey weren’t sure that their postsecondary […]

Americans with Disabilities Act: Employee’s Respiratory Ailment Stemming from Workplace Mold Lands Employer in Court

Earlier we reported on the growing risks of toxic mold in the workplace. Now, a federal court ruling demonstrates how this health and safety problem can mushroom into complaints under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Employee Suspects Mold in Building While working for the city of San Antonio, Texas, Dorothy Burnley was diagnosed with a […]

Don’t Forget to Find Some Quiet Time This Year

You don’t spend nearly enough time simply thinking. Before you take offense to that statement, consider how much time you spend talking, responding to e-mail, even reading—my guess is that you spend more time doing any one of them than you do thinking.

Winter’s Here! Does FMLA Cover the Flu?

The flu can affect 10 to 20 percent of your workforce. But is it serious enough to warrant FLMA coverage? Here’s the government’s typically fuzzy answer. December 21 marks the first day of winter. That means joyous holidays and great skiing, (snow or water, depending on where you are.) But it also means the return […]

The Boomer-Gen Z Shift: Strategies for a Multigenerational Workforce

The workplace is undergoing a profound transformation. For the first time in history, Gen Z now outnumbers Baby Boomers in the workforce, signaling a generational shift with wide-ranging implications. Yet, as Boomers begin to transition out of full-time roles, their contributions remain vital. With decades of institutional knowledge, industry expertise, and leadership skills, Boomers are […]

Ask the Right Questions—Find the Right Answers

Many leaders believe they must have all the answers—that it’s their responsibility to have the answer to every question and the solution to every problem. In my estimation, it’s more important to ask the right questions than it is to always have the answer.

Employee Becomes Ill at Work: Now What?

It will happen. Sooner or later, an employee becomes ill at work. What are your obligations legally? Ethically? Recently, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals (the federal court of appeals covering Texas) adopted an earlier case from a Texas court. The answer—a manageable standard. Previous Texas Case David Welch worked as a desk clerk […]