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The Importance of Pronouncing Names Properly

Once fodder for TV and movie comedy, non-Western names are increasingly common in American culture and work life. Moreover, as American companies increasingly have subsidiaries in or otherwise do business with foreign countries, exposure to such names is only increasing. While encountering an unfamiliar name may have been an infrequent occurrence just a few years […]

Tips for Employers Awaiting Details on New COVID-19 Vaccine Rules

President Joe Biden’s announcement of a new action plan aimed at curbing the COVID-19 pandemic will create new requirements for certain employers, and the rules have employers asking what they need to do, when they need to comply, and the consequences for noncompliance. Biden’s plan, announced September 9, is a six-pronged approach that includes an […]

Are Mandatory Vaccinations on Horizon? President Biden Moves the Needle

On September 9, 2021, President Joseph Biden issued an Executive Order mandating COVID-19 vaccines for all federal workers and won’t allow a testing-out option for those who refuse. They will have 75 days to get the shots or face adverse administrative action. Moreover, the mandate is expected to affect all private-sector entities with federal contracts. President Biden […]

100+ Employees? New Federal Vaccine Rule Applies to 80 Million People

On September 9, 2021 President Joe Biden announced a new rule that would require private employers with more than 100 employees to require vaccinations or weekly testing. Non-complying employers could face substantial fines. This would affect 80 million workers nationwide. In addition, the DOL will require employers with 100 or more workers to give employees […]

Kicking Off a New Season and Moving Toward the End Zone

It’s September, which happens to be my favorite month.  The leaves start changing, and we Midwesterners get to pull cardigans and boots out of storage in preparation for the inevitable chilly day that will hit within these next thirty days.  (Indeed, here in Chicago, we often get to experience a full year of seasons during […]

Take a Breath Before Sending that Angry Email

It’s probably safe to say that everyone has said things in a heated moment they later regretted. It could be during an argument with a significant other or while scolding a child, for example. Depending on how one looks at it, the stakes may be considerably higher when such outbursts occur in the workplace. This […]

6 Steps to Being Productive in a Hybrid Work Environment

Many workers are returning to a hybrid environment in the post-pandemic world. That means they are working from their home office part of the week and in the office for the other part of the week. Without the right approach, this can cause havoc on your calendar, which for many people serves as a roadmap […]

Fantasy Football: A Team Building Activity or Workplace Distraction?

Even without the aid of a calendar, there are many signs for casual observers to note the transition from summer to fall: kids going back to school, leaves changing, and, of course, football. While the playing days for those who were ever directly involved in the sport may have long passed for many professionals, millions […]

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Faces of HR: For Amy Zimmerman Building Culture and Transparency Go Hand in Hand

Before Amy Zimmerman entered the human resources field, she was a social worker. Although she was passionate about helping people, Amy also understood that supporting herself long term would be a challenge. Not long after, a friend who worked in the industry offered her the right opportunity at the right time. “I knew that I […]

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How to Get Ahead of Pandemic ‘Rage Quitting’

Compared with a year ago, the labor market is in much better shape. True, many employers are struggling to fill openings, but the latest Adzuna data shows jobseekers flooding back into the market this September to meet this unprecedented demand. The somewhat unexpected downside of growing job opportunities is that we’re also seeing much higher-than-usual […]