Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
It’s easy to look at the widespread and COVID-driven shift to remote work and the subsequent, post-COVID return-to-office (RTO) efforts by employers as a battle with clear divisions among key stakeholders. Employers want the perceived boost in productivity and greater collaboration that comes with on-site work. Employees want the flexibility and freedom that comes with […]
In today’s competitive labor market, attracting and retaining skilled workers has become a critical operational challenge. According to McKinsey research, a staggering 87% of companies are either currently experiencing a skills gap or expect to face one soon. The growing demand for skills and workforce agility is magnified by the transformative shifts brought on by […]
Question: We gave a $5,000 sign-on bonus to a new hire who has been a no-show for numerous days, and we haven’t been able to contact them. Can we withhold and/or deduct from this employee’s final paycheck to recoup some of the sign-on bonus? Answer: Most likely, no. Unless the employee signed an agreement giving you […]
Different generations have long experienced conflict and tension in the workplace. Younger workers often feel their older colleagues are set in their ways and resistant to change, while older workers feel their younger colleagues don’t respect established norms or the valuable experience of more senior staff. While this tension is often low-grade and relatively harmless, […]
Michael Shamblen, the Director of Human Resources at T&T Construction Management Group, is a seasoned human resources (HR) professional with a passion for building high-performing teams. With over 26 years of experience in business administration, including 17 years in HR, Shamblen has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and success. T&T Construction Management […]
A recent Ninth Circuit decision clarifies employers’ obligations to address hostile work environment complaints arising out of employees’ off-premises social media activity. In Okonowsky v. Garland, the Ninth Circuit overturned a Title VII sexually hostile environment summary judgment ruling, finding that the court had erred by considering only some of the evidence and by applying incorrect […]
One of the hardest things for employers is being accused of wrongdoing and, rather than reacting defensively, flipping it to their advantage. For an example of how to do so, let’s look to the University of Houston (UH) and how it handled a discrimination complaint from a disappointed professorship applicant. Professors Squabbling Kate Kingsbury applied […]
Spooky season is nearly upon us, appropriately heralded in by the much-anticipated sequel to the original Beetlejuice film from 1988. The latest film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, welcomes back fan favorites Michael Keaton as the titular character Betelgeuse, Winona Ryder as former goth princess Lydia Deetz, and Catherine O’Hara as everyone’s favorite stepmother, Delia Deetz. It also adds […]
As financial concerns mount for older workers, the concept of phased retirement is gaining traction. For HR professionals and business leaders, understanding this trend is crucial, especially in light of new findings from the WTW Global Benefits Attitudes Survey. Workers Planning for Retirement According to the survey, one in three U.S. workers over the age […]
Ever hear the expression “loose lips sink ships”? It comes from WWII and was plastered on posters in port cities, warning that gabbing about the sailing times of vessels carrying materials and soldiers would endanger their safe sailing. I thought it fit a very recent case from the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, the […]