Archives

HR Query: Middle Manager Burnout, Layoffs, and the Search for Solutions

Middle managers are facing unprecedented pressure. As organizations streamline communication, this critical layer is often caught in the crossfire, with layoffs impacting one-third of this group in 2023. A recent study revealed that 75% of middle managers report experiencing burnout, and 40% are actively seeking new opportunities. This alarming trend poses a significant risk to […]

Terilyn Juarez Monroe: Weaving DEIB into Guardant Health’s DNA

Terilyn Juarez Monroe didn’t plan for a career in HR, let alone leading people strategies at a cutting-edge healthcare company like Guardant Health. But her story is one of adaptability, purpose, and finding ways to bring people together to drive meaningful change. As Chief People Officer, Monroe combines her deep understanding of human dynamics with […]

Active and Empathetic Listening: The Hidden Secret of Business Success 

Over the last few months, corporations have been rolling back the DEI initiatives implemented with much fanfare in 2020. This is unfortunate. What is needed is not a retreat, but its opposite: a deeper and more considered embrace of inclusive and diverse thinking. This is necessary not merely because inclusion and diversity are net positives […]

Employee’s Personal Social Media Account May Create Hostile Work Environment

Workers continue to find new ways to create potential hostile work environment liability for their employers under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In June 2023, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (whose rulings apply to employers in all the states covered by West Employment Law Letter) held that offensive music […]

What NRLB Captive-Audience Ruling Means for Employers

In November 2024, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) upended 76 years of precedent, holding in Amazon.com Services LLC, 373 NLRB No. 136, that “captive-audience” meetings are per se unlawful under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Captive-audience meetings are mandatory meetings during regular, paid working time where an employer shares its views regarding unionization […]

Exploring Ways to Deal With Backlash While Still Achieving DEI Goals

Not so long ago, employers enthusiastically touted their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. But then the backlash set in. A growing number of employers–bowing to pressure from people opposed to what they see as “woke” policies–are dismantling their programs or at least being low-key about them. So now, many employers are exploring how they […]

Addressing the Change Readiness Gap

The workplace is in a constant state of evolution, but not all employees adapt to change equally. According to meQuilibrium’s inaugural State of the Workforce Report, organizations face a significant challenge: a deep divide in how employees across different levels perceive and handle change. Understanding and addressing this gap is crucial for HR leaders aiming […]

Tips for Employers on What to Do When Weather Disasters Strike

It’s winter, and when the cold winds blow, blizzards, ice storms, and dangerous temperatures often disrupt business. Certainly, bad weather can hit at any time of year, so employers always need to understand their legal obligations. But an organization’s response should go beyond those requirements. Employers also need to know how to help their employees, […]

Study Explores Change Readiness Among Workplace Populations

As Gen Z emerges as a dominant force in the workforce, the relationship this generational cohort has with change presents a paradox. While often hailed for their adaptability in the face of rapid technological and societal shifts, Gen Z is surprisingly struggling with change-related stress at levels higher than their older colleagues. meQuilibrium’s recent State […]