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The Importance of Investing in Employee Development

Companies are always looking for ways to stay ahead of the competition. One strategy that has consistently proven to be effective in developing and maintaining a competitive edge is investing in employee development. But identifying a concrete ROI on employee development has long proven to be challenging for many organizations. How can learning and development […]

Horrible bosses aren’t always male

Litigation Value: Rampant unlawful discrimination and harassment = more zeros than I’ve seen in a long time; instructing employees to fire all the “cripples” and the “fatties” = an expensive lesson for the employer to learn; finding out that a sequel is in the works = priceless. To kick off our new blog, I thought […]

The Blended Workforce: How to Effectively Blend Workers—Like Whiskey

Is a blended workforce like blended whiskey? In my bartending days I learned that a blended whiskey was a mix of the best qualities of the best scotch flavors. So it follows that the blended workforce mixes the best qualities of the best workers. Sounds like a recipe for success, but it may not be that simple (blended whiskeys are very complex).

Dress Code Considerations for a Diverse Workforce

By Carolyn A. Wade Society’s standards (or lack thereof) regarding clothing and grooming have certainly changed over the last 50 years. Taking a trip on an airplane used to mean “dressing up” and wearing the kind of clothes you would wear to church ― a suit and tie or a dress and heels. Now people […]

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Priming the Canvas: How to Make Your Cultural Onboarding Stick

Before the first brushstroke lands, a painter stretches and primes the canvas. Without this step, the paint won’t stick, the colors won’t hold, and the art won’t last. The same is true for onboarding. If your people aren’t primed to learn about your values and culture, it fades away into the busyness of their daily […]

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Creative Ways to Boost Productivity

Productivity concerns affect the entire organization. If the employer needs more productivity, either the existing employees must make that happen through productivity gains, or more employees must be hired. Either way, Human Resources (HR) is involved, directly or indirectly, through communications, training, hiring, or implementing new programs.

Employee Appreciation Day 2023

Hopefully, employers, HR pros, and managers are aware that March 3, 2023 (and the first Friday in March each year), is Employee Appreciation Day. In a labor market where employee demand is outstripping supply in many sectors, it’s particularly important to keep staff engaged and retained.

HR takes role of referee when employees ‘game’ the FMLA system

Put a dozen human resources professionals together and ask them about problems related to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and you’re likely to hear many dozens of stories. The rules can be complicated and intricate, and unscrupulous employees manage to find creative ways to take more leave than they’re entitled to have.  Recently, […]

Help Managers Grow Their Spines and Manage Abrasive Leadership Behavior

In this age of heightened awareness of inequality, bias, and bad behavior concerning sex, gender, race, age, and ethnicity, employers are increasingly required to provide psychologically safe workplaces characterized by respectful treatment. To do this, employers must be prepared to manage unacceptable conduct effectively. The conduct of abrasive leaders (otherwise known as bosses who bully) […]