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engagement

Why Leaders Can’t Afford Disengaged Professionals

Mike, sitting across the conference table from me, looked totally defeated. As a division executive for a leading research laboratory, he was accountable for millions in budget, several hundred highly professional employees, and the production of thousands of high-quality tests weekly. Recent cost-cutting and staff reductions had put pressure on hiring, and an expectation that […]

Differing Expectations on the Impact of AI on Human Jobs

With the explosion in generative AI (GenAI) technology in recent years, observers have repeatedly been awed by the capabilities of this new technology, which can seemingly do just about anything humans can do, only much faster. That necessarily raises interesting questions about the impact of AI on human employment. Interestingly, there can be a significant […]

Ask the Expert: Craft Severance Agreements Carefully with These Factors in Mind

Question: When crafting a severance agreement, should you follow the guidelines of the state the employee resides/works in or the state where the company is incorporated? Answer: Before addressing the specific question about which state’s laws would apply for the enforcement or consideration of a severance agreement, let’s address the importance of such agreements in the […]

Faces of HR: From Frontline to C-Suite—Ray Smith’s Passion for People

Ray Smith’s journey to becoming a leading HR professional is a testament to her unwavering commitment to people. Her career, marked by a deep-rooted passion for creating inclusive and high-performing workplaces, has spanned diverse industries, from hospitality to healthcare. Starting as a frontline worker, Smith witnessed firsthand the impact of leadership decisions on employees and […]

How Your Benefits Can Support Your Employees from Stressful “Life Change” Events

It’s been over five decades since the Holmes-Rahe stress scale recognized the impact of life events on a person’s stress level, and the correlation with physical wellness and well-being. Although more recent research has refined the original stress index, it remains uncontroversial that navigating a life event affects every pillar of a person’s well-being (physical, […]

Maximizing Employee Presentation Skills: How Anyone Can Become a Superstar Presenter

In today’s workforce, effective presentations can make the difference in achieving multiple business goals, from closing sales to delivering employee training, internal communication, and beyond. This makes presentation skills important for employees at many levels, and employees agree. As found in the recent Superstar Presenter Spotlight with over 1,000 U.S. professionals surveyed, better presentations can […]

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 […]

Dell’s New Remote Work Policy Sparks Debate

Computer technology company Dell has made headlines for its new work-from-home policy. According to the policy, fully remote employees will no longer be eligible for promotions. There is an exception, however, for hybrid workers (i.e., those who spend three days a week in the office). Unsurprisingly, the policy has sparked debate and confusion over the […]

schedule

Retooling Frontline Employee Scheduling for the Modern Age

Frontline workers are struggling. From the people on the floor at your favorite brick and mortar store to the warehouse employees ensuring inventory is getting where it needs to go, the challenges they face are largely the same: low pay, inflexible scheduling, and a lack of user-friendly technology. According to recent data, this has led […]

Conflict Management and AI

Generative AI is being used to address many workplace issues, including conflict management. But can we rely on this technology to handle something so personal in nature? It depends on how AI is used and how the tool was trained. While using AI for managing conflict may offer many benefits—especially for GenZers who are often […]