Author: Lin Grensing-Pophal, Contributing Editor

diversity and inclusion

Looking at the ‘10 Facets of Workplace Diversity and Inclusion’

When people think of “diversity and inclusion” (D&I), invariably their minds immediately go to racial and ethnic identity, with gender likely coming in a relatively close second. Indeed, both the presence and the inclusion of women and people of color represent key elements of any D&I strategy; however, the diversity of human beings spans far […]

digital nomad

IT Enables a Growing Population of Digital Nomads

There is a “digital nomad” movement gaining momentum. While many of us have experienced the world through our screens the last year, digital nomads have been conducting business wherever they want—anywhere in the world. Digital nomads are placing no limits on the location of their workplace, seeking out places with reliable Internet connections and flexible […]

customer harassment

Tips to Limit Risk of Employee Harassment by Customers

Most employers are equipped to respond to employee allegations of harassment by coworkers or managers. There are added levels of difficulty, however, when they complain about harassment by a customer, contractor, or other visitor to the business. A federal court of appeals recently ruled a Harrah’s Casino employee can go to trial on her claims […]

What Governor’s Antivaccine Mandate Order Means for Texas Employers

Texas Governor Greg Abbott this week issued Executive Order (EO) GA-40 setting the state on a collision course with the federal government over whether private employers can issue a vaccine mandate to their employees. The order states in pertinent part: No entity in Texas can compel receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine by any individual, including […]

resignation

New Data Shines Additional Light on Great Resignation

Business publications and workforce commentators have recently embraced the term “Great Resignation” to describe the phenomenon of workers fleeing the labor force and the corresponding challenges faced by employers. While this may be a catchy label, it also represents a very real challenge for companies around the world struggling to maintain basic operations, let alone […]

flu

The Next Health Challenge for Employers: Navigating Flu Season Amid a Pandemic

Living through a pandemic has taught us many things, chief among them being that just when you think you’ve adapted to a new normal, it’s already changed. Viruses evolve, as do our responses. Today, we have a better understanding of how the virus spreads and vaccines that are effective and readily available. But we’re also […]

Beyond Gender Pay Gap Reporting: Diversity is a Whole-Team Job

At the current rate of progress, the gender pay gap will take around 200 years to close. This is not hyperbole from social justice activists; this is according to the World Economic Forum (WEF). The WEF was once criticized for fortifying that pay gap, so when the same group begins warning of the severity of […]

Cost of Working From Home Is Still Unclear

Pay equity has become an important issue in California employment law. It is now a concept of both general fairness and discrimination. For example, employers may not ask about prior salary history because it has been linked to discriminatory factors and reliance on it perpetuates that discrimination. Similarly, the California Equal Pay Act (EPA) requires […]

Most Employers Don’t Understand the Skills (and Gaps) of Their Workforces

Years ago, the key resource available to many companies was their physical capital. In an industrial economy, the primary drivers of productivity and profitability were machinery and other equipment used in the production of goods. While workers needed to be competent enough to operate this equipment and reliable enough to show up for work, labor […]

New Approaches Required to Attract and Retain Gen Z

By 2025, Generation Z will make up 27% of the American workforce. This generation of digital natives is the most diverse generation to date, with nearly half (48%) non-Caucasian. How are employers and HR departments working to attract, retain and engage this increasingly significant segment of the labor force? What challenges are they facing? What […]