Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
HR professionals routinely use legal counsel to obtain advice on compliance issues, risk mitigation, and many other legal issues. Whether it arises in the context of a one-off accommodation question or a months-long harassment investigation, the attorney-client privilege is a vital tool for protecting confidential communications between legal counsel and HR professionals. The attorney-client privilege […]
He/him. She/her. They/them. With increasing public attention over the past few years to the topics of gender identity, gender fluidity, and the rights of transgender individuals, it has become more common for people to make their pronoun preferences known to others. In the electronic world, these disclosures commonly occur in social media profiles and, most […]
I can’t quite get Bobby McFerrin’s 1988 song out of my head (by the way, I added the question mark for reasons I will get to in a minute) since reading a May 12, 2022, article in the Wall Street Journal, “Confessions of Your Company’s Chief Happiness Officer” by Callum Borchers. Let my opinion be clear […]
In the first quarter of 2022, unions filed more than 550 election petitions in the United States, compared with only 290 in the first quarter of 2021. It’s the largest first-quarter number filed in the past seven years. While part of the increase can be attributed to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which has […]
Question: We plan to install security cameras in the production area of our nonunion food packaging facility because of an increase in damaged product and safety incidents. Can we post signs at all entrances stating surveillance cameras are in use, or do we need to have each employee sign a waiver? Answer: Generally, you may monitor […]
After years of declining membership, unions are redoubling their efforts to sell their product (membership) to new customers. While they have long targeted grocery stores like Kroger and SuperValu, they are now moving into the so-called “new economy” by zeroing in on employers like Amazon and Starbucks.
May was Mental Health Awareness Month. For those who are struggling, know that it’s okay to not be okay—please reach out for help if you need it, and remember that there are people who care about you. While the month may be over, that doesn’t mean we should stop prioritizing wellbeing. We’ve collected our favorite […]
Despite best intentions and nondiscriminatory business motivations, some groups of employees may reap more of the benefits of flexible work arrangements than others simply because their circumstances make such options more attractive to them. Accordingly, you should take steps to ensure flexible work arrangements are offered and implemented without discrimination on any prohibited basis. In […]
When recruiting or training anyone who will be responsible for managing others, there are certain skills that should be at the top of your list for ensuring the person is effective in managing, coaching, and motivating others. Some of these skills are “evergreen,” while others emerged during the pandemic as organizations and their managers learned […]
Although many employees think only lawyers and salespeople are involved in negotiations, the reality is that these types of negotiations take place in the office all the time between departments, with customers and business partners, and between bosses and subordinates.