Archives

WFH

Going on vacation? Try your best to disconnect from work

by Dan Oswald Remember the old Eveready battery commercial with Robert Conrad in a muscle shirt playing the tough guy? He had an Eveready battery sitting on his shoulder while he muttered the line, “I dare you to knock this off.” I’m not sure why he was daring anyone to knock the battery off his […]

It’s never easy, but Oprah delivers layoff news in person

Last week, entertainment powerhouse and former talk-show host Oprah Winfrey announced that Harpo Studios in Chicago will be closing its doors by the end of the year, resulting in the loss of nearly 200 jobs. In typical Oprah fashion, she delivered the bad news to her employees in person, probably ambling around the room, microphone-in-hand, […]

Are You Training Your Commuters to Stay Safe?

Safety issues begin even before your employees get to work. Whether your workers arrive by car or commuter train, today’s Advisor gives you valuable information to help protect them. Consider adding this brief safety content to your new employee orientation program.

Wisconsin becomes latest right-to-work state

On March 9, a signature by Governor Scott Walker made Wisconsin the 25th state to pass right-to-work legislation. The new law means private-sector workers who don’t join a union won’t have to pay what is known as “fair share” payments assessed on workers who are deemed to benefit from union contracts despite their nonunion status. […]

8 Tips for Promoting Employee Mental Health

Mental illness is a prominent issue in today’s society, and employers should do all they can to address this in the workplace. After all, many people spend most of their time at work—and author Graeme Cowan says that employers are in a prime position to make a difference with America’s collective mental health.

Supreme Court of Canada reshapes labor law (again)

by John D.R. Craig, Christopher D. Pigott, and Brandon Wiebe In the January 2015 decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL), the Court found, for the first time, that Canadian workers have a constitutional “right to strike.” In reaching this conclusion, the Supreme Court overturned almost 30 years of […]

Seattle’s new minimum wage ordinance takes effect April 1

by Valerie Hughes and Aurora Janke Seattle’s new minimum wage ordinance goes into effect April 1, meaning employers—regardless of size—must pay employees working in the city at least $11 per hour. Employers with 501 or more employees must pay a “minimum wage” of $11 per hour, while employers with 500 or fewer employees must pay […]