Author: Bridget Miller, Contributing Editor

Unemployment Compensation 101

Unemployment compensation is meant to help keep struggling individuals and families out of poverty while they search for employment. It also is set up to help keep the economy afloat at times when consumer spending would otherwise dip, by giving compensation to individuals so that they can continue to pay their rent or mortgage and […]

Federal Government Cracking Down on Hiring and Pay Discrimination

By Susan Schoenfeld The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recently announced a number of settlements in enforcement cases against federal government contractors demonstrating a continued emphasis on pursuing systemic hiring and pay discrimination claims. Settlement costs ranged from $165,000 to $1.8 million and required the affected contractors to take action in hiring and […]

Freelance Economy Growing as it Offers Flexibility, Work/Life Balance

The freelance economy is growing rapidly, a trend with significant implications for the workplace. Nearly one in four employees freelance in some capacity, according to the Staples Advantage Workplace Index, a recent study of office workers in the U.S. conducted by the business-to-business division of Staples.

Business Expert Offers Top 5 Workforce Predictions for 2016

2016 has finally arrived, and with it comes the predictions of what employers can expect for the following year. Last year saw rises in paid sick leave laws, gender equality issues, and proposed overtime regulations. What will 2016 have in store? Executive Vice President of Staples Advantage North America, Neil Ringel, offers insights into the […]

Want a Place at the Executive Table? Well, Take Your SEAT

By Holly Jones, JD Lori Kleiman draws upon her 35 years of experience in HR to counsel and lead other HR professionals to take the next steps in their careers. In her recent BLR presentation, HR’s Place at the Executive Table, she shared a wealth of tips and tricks that she has used to understand […]

3 Problems with Hiring and the Presidential Election

The road to the 2016 U.S. presidential election officially began last week with the Iowa caucuses. Having grown up in Iowa, I have experienced the caucus process first-hand. It’s an interesting process that has a real grassroots feel to it, and it can produce some very interesting results that are often difficult to predict. If […]

Reasons Your Turnover Is High

As unemployment levels continue to inch ever lower, turnover levels continue to be a growing concern for employers. We all know that turnover comes with costs, including recruiting and training costs, lost productivity, and increased short-term costs like overtime for other employees—all of which can add up quickly. And none of this takes into account […]

3 Problems with Hiring and the Presidential Election

The road to the 2016 U.S. presidential election officially began last week with the Iowa caucuses. Having grown up in Iowa, I have experienced the caucus process first-hand. It’s an interesting process that has a real grassroots feel to it, and it can produce some very interesting results that are often difficult to predict. If […]

Employer Pays $50K for Refusing to Hire Worker in Methadone Treatment Program

A temporary staffing agency based in Baltimore has agreed to pay $50,000 to resolve claims that it refused to hire an applicant because of her participation in a methadone treatment program. Randstad, US, LP entered into the agreement to settle a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit alleging that its actions violated the Americans with […]