Actionable Advice from an HR Leader

With 800 companies exhibiting at the SHRM National Conference, it’s a challenge determining which vendors are simply repackaging a product that’s virtually identical to what others sell and which offer something innovative, unique, and valuable to the employer. I visited with many of the companies and 10 caught my eye. Their product or service stands […]

As employers kick-off 2019, many have an eye toward compliance. The potential cost for poor management decisions has never been greater in the US.  When lining-up robust training for supervisors and managers–particularly related to matters of compliance and workplace civility–remember that not all trainings are created equally. Beyond the basic discussions of unlawful harassment and […]

While presenting at a conference, I was asked if blockchain is relevant to HR. Absolutely, yes! Blockchain is more than cryptocurrencies and it has already made its debut into HR. The technology is being programmed into ATS and HRIS systems with an anticipated launch of mid-2019–1 year away. Blockchain pertains to how data is aggregated, […]

There’s no shortage of people renovating their houses.  Summer is apparently the season when HR executives decide to give the house a face-lift.  I hear reasons like, “We spend so much time in the kitchen, I want my family to be comfortable,” and so on.  That makes sense, but when was the last time you […]

Those of us who have a few years under our belts can remember the interview question fads: “If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be,” “If you were a car…,” “If you were a vegetable…,” and so on. Thankfully, interviewing fads have evolved a bit over the years. Although different industries […]

Employees, particularly the good ones, are becoming increasingly interested in changing companies, according to recent data. It’s likely you don’t need studies to tell you this; you’re seeing it in your workplace. The days of universally applied employee engagement remedies actually being effective are over. Sure, having periodic department-wide meetings or doing employee opinion surveys […]

Social media is nothing new.  The pain some employers feel as they try to maintain productivity in the workplace is a real problem… for some employers.  On the other hand, a growing number of employers are modeling employee engagement using social media.  This growing trend can quickly change the look and feel of your workplace […]

As the new administration and a new Congress settle into power, U.S. business leaders are relying on HR to keep them aware of planned or likely changes to the laws and best practices related to employment.  That leaves the HR professional with the dizzying task of inventorying a volume of campaign promises as well as daily updates to […]

A Forbes contributor published an article on Monday claiming that the human resources profession is stuck in the business world’s version of the Dark Ages.  The behaviors described are more akin to an old Personnel Department versus an Human Resource Department circa 2017. Her four main assertions: Confidential conversations with your HR representative really are […]

Workplace (or industrial) safety typically is either completely owned or partially owned by Human Resources.  It tends to be an unimportant part of many workplaces, causing the HR team to shift its focus to issues the company finds more critical: establishing a talent pipeline, implementing the leadership development program, or addressing high-profile employee relations issues. […]