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Origin of the 40-Hour Week: Does This Structure Still Make Sense Today?

In recent years, many businesses—in fact, even entire countries have made significant moves toward the implementation of a four-day workweek. With so much interest in a shift to a four-day workweek in recent years, it’s worth considering how we got to our current status quo. What’s so special about five days and 40 hours? Has […]

workers'

Ask the Expert: Workers’ Comp, Unemployment, Disability Benefits Generally Not Allowed at Same Time

Q           Can employees collect workers’ compensation at the same time as unemployment or state disability insurance payments? The short answer is no. In Wisconsin, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, and disability insurance are distinct forms of support, each designed to address specific situations. Workers’ comp provides financial and medical benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or […]

Faces of HR: From Therapy to Thought Leadership—Shari Simpson’s HR Transformation

Shari Simpson, Senior Manager of Thought Leadership at Paylocity, is a seasoned HR professional whose journey transcends traditional boundaries. With over two decades of experience, she’s evolved from managing core HR operations to becoming a strategic force in shaping the future of work. Simpson’s career began in traditional HR roles at organizations like Streamwood Behavioral […]

Leading With Soul: Think Twice Before Outsourcing Leadership

Leadership requires delegation yet it’s crucial that we recognize what should never be outsourced. While it’s tempting to hand off tasks to lighten your load, there are certain responsibilities—especially the more challenging conversations—that must be handled directly by leaders. These moments are opportunities to demonstrate values, build trust, and lead with authenticity. Leadership is about […]

Navigating DEI Uncertainty During Trump Administration

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs have been a feature in American workplaces for decades. It’s no secret, however, that they have become the most recent target of criticism from a certain segment of the population, including President Donald Trump. In January 2025, the president issued multiple Executive Orders (EOs) taking aim at eliminating DEI […]

Remote Work Reversal: How Federal RTO Mandates Are Influencing Public and Private Sectors

Federal workers are being called back to the office, marking a significant shift in government telework policies. The Trump administration’s renewed focus on return-to-office (RTO) mandates is designed to curb remote work and reshape the federal workforce. But is this a push for productivity, or a strategic way to reduce the size of government through […]

Kanye’s Wife’s Grammy Dress Provides a Lesson in Dress Codes

During the biggest night in music, the 2025 Grammy awards ceremony, Kanye’s wife, Bianca Censori, caused quite a commotion by walking the red carpet when she removed her coat to reveal . . . just about everything. Her dress, if you can call it that, was completely sheer. And after I uttered, “Well, that’s a […]

Employer Beware: Adhere to FCRA When Using Background Dossiers

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has a worker tracking and surveillance policy clarifying that employers that use third-party data and algorithmic scores for hiring, firing, and other employment decisions must adhere to federal consumer protection laws, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Many modern-day background dossiers, for example, are compiled from databases […]

Building a Coaching Culture: Reflect, Renew, and Rise to Resilient, High-Performing Teams

Imagine walking into a workplace buzzing with energy, where employees radiate confidence and resilience, collaborating seamlessly to overcome challenges. In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, creating such an environment is not a luxury but a necessity. A coaching culture—rooted in deep reflection, purposeful renewal, and aspirational growth—has the power to transform teams from ordinary to extraordinary. […]

Why Employment Compliance Needs to Be Everyone’s Job

Most employees don’t spend a lot of time thinking about compliance issues, unless their job focuses on compliance or a related area. But it isn’t just the compliance, legal, and HR teams that need to be aware of and compliant with legal and compliance requirements applicable to the company. Every department, every team, and every […]