Archives

Update Handbook, Policies to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

With the Supreme Court’s ruling on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 regarding gender identification, can we leave the Title VII disclaimer in our company handbook and applications as is? Or does the wording need to be adjusted to specifically state “sexual orientation” and “transgender status”?

team

The Quest to Build a Better Team Activity

The very mention of a “team activity” can elicit audible groans from even the most engaged employees. That’s because team activities often feel forced, awkward, and pointless. “What’s the benefit of a trust fall, really?” one might ask. But just because many team activities are duds doesn’t mean all team activities are duds. Some organizational […]

Amazon

Union Defeat at Amazon Sparks the Question: What’s Next?

The votes have been counted in the Amazon union election in Bessemer, Alabama, but the vote tally doesn’t mean the matter is absolutely settled. Almost immediately after the union defeat was announced on April 9, the union said it would take the fight to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Managing Alternative Coverage and COBRA Coverage

The current economic turbulence and uncertainty, caused in large part by the business reaction to COVID-19, has forced employers to rethink how they manage benefits for workers who suffer job loss (including—aside from termination of employment—layoffs, temporary furloughs, and leaves of absence). One of the key benefits (other than cash) provided to employees who suffer […]

How to Use Structured Hiring to Build Inclusive Workplaces

A great hiring process is a business necessity and can be a major competitive advantage—if done right. It’s about more than streamlining paperwork and getting roles filled quickly; your ability to hire the right people in the right roles at the right time is the deciding factor in how well your business performs. As a […]

How American Rescue Plan Act Affects Employers

President Joe Biden recently signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). The measure was passed on party-line votes in the Senate (50-49) and the House, where only one Democrat crossed over to oppose it. The final bill differs from an earlier House-passed version. Some provisions were eliminated for procedural reasons while others were […]

Top HR Concerns of American HR Executives

Human resources is an ever-changing field where new challenges emerge time and again. The shift in work patterns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and focus on racial and social justice in broader society are just two recent examples. According to the HR Policy Association’s Annual Membership Survey, which saw a one-third response rate, there are […]

cost

Bad Hires Take Longer to Replace During the Pandemic, Finds Survey

According to CareerBuilder, the average cost of one bad hire is $14,900, and given all the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, your company simply can’t afford to waste these precious dollars hiring and onboarding for the same position. Not only is it costly to replace a bad hire, but it’s also time consuming.

Employer’s Suspect Gross Misconduct Finding and Imprecise Notice Format Mean COBRA Claim Proceeds

The gross misconduct exception under COBRA means that if an employee’s employment is terminated due to gross misconduct, continuation coverage does not have to be offered to the terminated employee or the terminated employee’s family. One of the many tricky aspects of administering the gross misconduct rule is that the decision should be made at […]