Tag: employees

HRDA Frankly Speaking: Why HR Can’t Ignore “Cry Masking”

A recent survey of 600 U.S. workers highlights just how widespread this hidden stress has become—and why HR leaders need to pay attention. Coined by resume.io, cry masking describes a growing phenomenon where employees who feel emotionally overwhelmed on the job go to extreme lengths to hide it. They step away to hide tears, suppress breakdowns,and […]

HR Query: Why Raises Aren’t Stopping the Legal Talent Drain

When it comes to keeping talented junior attorneys from walking out the door, the legal industry has a big problem—and throwing higher salaries at it simply isn’t working. The data confirms it. According to Chambers’ 2026 State of the US Legal Talent Market report (which surveyed 8,200 associates across 82 firms), workplace culture drives associate retention five times […]

Telework as a Reasonable Accommodation: Recent EEOC Guidance for Employers

Disability accommodation claims have long been among the most common workplace discrimination claims, but the recent increase has been unusually sharp. One major driver is telework as a requested reasonable accommodation. For employers managing return-to-office expectations, the practical question is whether there are lawful ways to evaluate, limit, modify, or deny telework requests when appropriate. […]

Union Contracts Are Becoming HR AI Playbook 

HR leaders should watch an unexpected source of practical AI policy: collective bargaining agreements. A July 2026 Axios review found that the NewsGuild-CWA had roughly 85 to 90 contracts with explicit AI provisions. Those workplace AI rules matter beyond unionized employers because they show how employee participation can become part of deployment rather than a […]

Faces of HR: How Equifax’s Chris Johnson is Making HR the Hero

Chris Johnson isn’t your typical HR leader—and that’s his superpower. As Senior Vice President and General Manager of Employer Services at Equifax Workforce Solutions, Johnson leads a team dedicated to providing HR professionals with people-driven, data-powered solutions. His goal? Take the heavy lifting out of HR compliance so employers can spend less time on administration and […]

Rising IRS Mileage Rates: Your Reimbursement Practices May Need a Tune-Up

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has raised the optional standard mileage rate for business use of an automobile for the second half of 2026. Effective July 1, the business mileage rate increased from 72.5 cents per mile to 76 cents per mile. Employers that use the IRS rate for employees’ mileage reimbursement should adjust their […]

IT

Pay Attention to This Texas Distracted Driving Phone Sex Case

Distracted driving is a huge issue in the United States, causing large numbers of crashes and deaths every year. But what happens when distracted driving results in a crash from an on-the-job employee? Can the employer be held responsible? What can employers do to protect themselves? Distracted Driving Thomas Earl Roberts was a commercial tractor-trailer […]

Behind the Professional Smile: Inside the Trend of “Cry Masking” at Work

There’s a new phrase quietly circulating through the corporate world, and it points to a heavy reality for American professionals: “cry masking.” Coined by resume.io, cry masking describes a growing phenomenon where employees who feel emotionally overwhelmed on the job go to extreme lengths to hide it. They step away to hide tears, suppress breakdowns, and […]

maternity

EEOC Lawsuits Signal Increased Scrutiny of Pregnancy Discrimination

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) continues to signal that pregnancy discrimination and pregnancy accommodation practices remain important agency enforcement concerns. First, on June 4, 2026, the EEOC adopted its new National Enforcement Plan for fiscal years 2025 through 2029. The plan specifically identifies cases that may help develop and define the scope of employer […]

FMLA

Wayfair PFML Verdict: Five Lessons Every HR Professional Should Take Seriously

Recently, a Massachusetts superior court jury awarded $4.75 million to an employee in a case against her former employer, Wayfair. The verdict has become one of the most significant employment law developments for Massachusetts employers since the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law took effect in 2021. The substantial verdict under PFML’s antiretaliation provision […]