Author: Maria Melendez, Mattress Firm

The Power of Empathy in Leadership: Driving Innovation and Engagement

In a recent interview, Microsoft’s CEO emphasized a profound insight: empathy is the most significant source of innovation. This statement resonates deeply, positioning empathy not only as a human value but as a teachable skill essential for meeting people’s needs, fostering innovation, and engaging employees. Empathy, when combined with compassion, transcends simply recognizing emotion; it […]

Turning Skills into Opportunities: The Value of a Non-Traditional Career Path in a Shifting Business Landscape

No matter the sector—whether it’s tech, manufacturing, or energy—industries are evolving rapidly, driven by factors like AI, globalization, and increasing regulatory demands. One key factor unites companies leading this change: the significant role leadership plays in driving and navigating these shifts. In many organizations, the C-suite has expanded to include new roles that address emerging […]

Navigating the Gig Economy: Pros and Cons of Leveraging Independent Contractors

When it comes to staffing an organization, there are more options than the traditional full-time, closely supervised W-2 employee. Many organizations leverage independent contractors, a type of worker that is treated differently for both employment law and tax purposes, and that offers both advantages and disadvantages when compared to traditional workers. Understanding Independent Contractors Independent […]

The Role of HR in Creating a Culture of Cybersecurity Awareness 

With businesses increasingly relying on technology, cybersecurity threats are more prevalent than ever. Cyberattacks can target any organization, from small businesses to large corporations, and cause financial loss and long-lasting reputational damage. While information technology (IT) teams are often seen as the front line of defense against these attacks, human resources (HR) plays a crucial […]

With the Rise of AI, Is a Chief Automation Officer Necessary? 

In the age of digital transformation and advanced technology like AI, automation is a critical element for organizations to stay competitive. That’s why many C-suites are considering incorporating a Chief Automation Officer (CAO) into the fabric of their organization to provide senior executive oversight of automation initiatives. But is a whole new role in the […]

Connecting Hearts and Minds: Vandana Juneja’s Journey to Shaping Inclusive Workplaces

Vandana Juneja has dedicated her career to shaping workplaces that are inclusive, equitable, and empowering. With a background spanning human resources (HR), law, and global consulting, Juneja’s diverse experiences uniquely equip her for her role as the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion  Officer, a new role at Thornton Tomasetti, a scientific and engineering consulting firm. In […]

Employers Are Cool on Gen Z, While Gen Z is Burned Out

It’s always a bit of an unknown how each generation will perform and fit into the “real world” when they move on from high school or college and enter the workforce. Each generation has its own unique experiences, preferences, and styles. Of course, we’re talking about trends identified between generations; within those generations, there is […]

5 Timeless Basics of Effective Management

The very nature of middle management is being in the middle—caught between the direction of company leaders and the needs of employees. There’s often a disconnect between the two. Growing Demands in a Changing Environment Managers today are especially feeling the pinch from a combination of growing demands for flexibility and work-life balance from employees, […]

In A Win for Public Employers, CA Supreme Court Rules PAGA Penalties, Other California Wage & Hour Laws, Do Not Apply

In August 2024, the California Supreme Court decided Stone v. Alameda Health System, which clarified that the meal and rest break requirements of the California Labor Code at sections 226.7 and 512 and other Labor Code provisions do not apply to public employers. The Court also held that the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) penalty […]

Workplace Mental Health Concerns on the Rise

Mental health concerns in the workplace continue to plague businesses of all kinds. Recent research indicates that 83% of U.S. workers suffer from some form of work-related stress; 25% say that their job is the top stressor in their lives. That stress can lead to absenteeism and relationship impacts. For instance: The top causes of […]