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Ask the Expert: When Can a Former Employee See Their Personnel Files?

Question: A former employee who was fired has requested a copy of her personnel file. What documents would she be entitled to receive? Answer: Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 149, §52C outlines what constitutes a personnel file and discusses an employer’s duty to retain that file. The statute further provides a formal process for employees to […]

Faces of HR: From Backpacker to HR Professional—How Alex Duba Built a Career in People and Culture

Alex Duba’s HR journey is a testament to the power of curiosity and a passion for people. After trading snow-covered slopes for global adventures, Duba discovered a deep-rooted interest in understanding what makes individuals and teams thrive. Armed with a business and psychology background, she embarked on a professional path that led her to the […]

Five Learning Profiles

In today’s rapidly changing workplace, strong learning programs are key to supporting employee development. In a new report from Udemy, Making Learning Work For Everyone: A Leader’s Guide to Understanding The 5 Learner Profiles, the company provides insight for companies on how they can implement personalized learning tracks suited to each of their employees’ different […]

skills

Navigating the Skills Revolution in the Age of AI

The rapid evolution of AI is causing significant shifts in the workforce across industries. AI agents are taking over various tasks, rendering certain skills irrelevant and making some jobs obsolete. Business leaders are struggling to effectively assess human capital and identify skill gaps that need closing. This leaves HR leaders grappling with essential questions: How […]

discrimination

Case Study: Harassment and Discrimination Aren’t Rocket Science

Disability-related claims can take many forms, under many statutes. Here, a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientist claims he was both harassed and discriminatorily denied a promotion because of his disability. The court of appeal used two different standards to decide that part of his claim can proceed, and part could not go forward. Scientist […]

Don’t Let Unions Sink Their Teeth into Your Property Rights

July is the best month of the year. It’s warm everywhere, even in Chicago. I look forward to the al fresco dining, outdoor concerts, neighborhood block parties, cookouts with family, and the beach. And sharks. July seems to be synonymous with this apex predator. Whether it is because the movie Jaws took place over the Fourth of July or […]

Whether and How to Address the Attempted Assassination at Work

The recent assassination attempt on former President Trump has put an unavoidable spotlight on the often-toxic nature of American politics and political discourse. As the attempted assassination resonates beyond the political sphere, it becomes pertinent for employers, HR managers, and team leads to address it thoughtfully within the workplace. Here we explore how to approach […]

Boost Retention Through Social Impact: 6 Strategies to Cultivate a Culture of Volunteerism and Purpose in Your Company

Employee impact programs have become table stakes in today’s competitive hiring landscape. Millennial and Gen-Z candidates in particular value and seek out corporations driven by a purpose which aligns to their values. According to PagerDuty’s recently released FY24 Impact Report, 96% of employees participated in the company’s volunteer, giving, and/or 1:1 donation match program to […]

Management Blind Spots: How Leaders Misread the Pulse of Their Teams

In today’s fast-changing workplace, the dynamics of teamwork have become both an increasingly complicated and critical prerequisite for success. As organizations adapt to new technologies, iterate with hybrid working models, and welcome a new generation of team members, the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively as a team has become one of the defining factors […]

Older worker at desk

Financial Strain Puts Retirement Out of Reach for Many American Workers

A recent survey by Willis Towers Watson (WTW) reveals a growing financial strain among U.S. workers, with 88% struggling to meet basic living costs. Nearly half of employees (46%) are extremely worried about essentials such as food, healthcare, housing, and transportation. As a result, 44% of employees report living paycheck to paycheck, and 59% say […]