Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
It’s no secret: Today’s employers are struggling to recruit top talent and fill essential positions. Current government statistics indicate the U.S. employment rate was 4.8 percent in September 2021. That’s down significantly from the pandemic peak of 14.8 percent and about half the 10 percent unemployment rate during the 2009 recession. And, as we all know, […]
As the end of the year approaches and we’re continuing to battle the changing realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses in all sectors are working hard to finish on a high note. But this year, many of the skilled hourly workers that restaurants, retail, and warehouses are depending on for the busy holiday seasons are […]
Maine can move ahead and enforce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate against designated healthcare employees after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to grant an injunction to a group of affected workers on Friday, when the statute was supposed to take effect. The employees had challenged the law because it doesn’t allow a religious exemption. 4 Takeaways […]
HR pros wear many hats. Since March 2020, they have been at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to their many other tasks, they have needed to coordinate furloughs and layoffs, stay up to date with the latest health guidance, understand and implement coronavirus-related federal and state laws and regulations, introduce COVID-19 screening […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated a lot of trends, including the trend of people quitting their jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nearly 4 million Americans quit their jobs in July—for the fourth month in a row. In the same month, job openings rose to a record high. According to a Microsoft survey […]
Performance reviews are a critical part of employee management. Unfortunately, they’re often given little attention by companies around the country. Even the best companies routinely limit formal performance reviews to once per year, with busy managers often scrambling to complete them at the last minute. This typical scenario fails to provide meaningful feedback to substantially […]
Although most employers were hesitant to implement vaccine mandates after the initial rollout of the COVID-19 shots, the still-surging pandemic (driven by the highly contagious delta variant) has caused many companies to rethink their position. Exemptions may be available, however, to those who can demonstrate a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief barring them […]
Are remote jobs the future? It’s easy to think so. The COVID-19 pandemic has made our already-online world that much more plugged in. Employers are starting to see that investments in brick-and-mortar buildings aren’t always worth it, and employees are beginning to become just as productive at home as they are in the office. Zoom […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many companies to accept widespread remote work. With well over a year of experience with this staffing model, companies are finding their fears of reduced productivity are largely unfounded. At the same time, employees have developed a taste for working from home, and many would prefer to do so permanently […]
Hourly workers across the nation are fed up, and they’ve made it known. Millions have quit their jobs in a mass movement that’s been dubbed “The Great Resignation,” contributing to the current labor shortage for employers reliant on hourly employees. As a result, many of these businesses are shortening operating hours, closing their doors and […]