Tag: employees

contractors

DOL Signals Return to Employer-Friendly Worker Classification Standards

Surging changes to workplace laws understandably have employers suffering from whiplash. Historically, employment laws have shifted when presidential administrations have changed. A May 1, 2025, announcement by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) about its intended approach to the classification of individuals as independent contractors is a recent example. Background on Independent Contractors A number […]

Faces of HR: John Pichay’s Journey to Cultivating Tech Culture

John Pichay is a force in the HR world, with over a decade of experience shaping thriving workplaces, primarily within the dynamic tech sector. As VP of People at Imgix, he’s not just overseeing HR; he’s orchestrating a global strategy designed to empower employees and drive innovation. From talent acquisition and learning & development to DEI initiatives, organizational design, total rewards, employee relations, […]

How HR Leaders Can Help Working Parents Tackle Summer Childcare Challenges

Summer is nearly upon us. Before you know it, we’ll be enjoying long, hot sunny days by the pool, taking an invigorating hike or munching on hot dogs at the ballpark. Well…maybe not all of us. Unfortunately, that is far from reality for many employees. While the arrival of summer signals the start of the […]

When Organizational Change Fails: What the Data Reveals

Organizational change is everywhere—whether in the form of restructuring, layoffs, M&As, or leadership shakeups. With artificial intelligence (AI) and, specifically, generative AI (GenAI) shaking up workflows and market shifts demanding agility, most companies are deep in transformation mode. But as companies plan their strategies, they’re at risk of missing the human costs involved. Organizational Shifts […]

Navigating Recent Changes to California Wage and Hour Laws

The recent changes to California’s wage and hour laws have significant implications for employers operating within the state. While the reforms are aimed at providing clearer guidelines for employers, there are still complex issues that HR professionals and employment lawyers must address. Key updates that affect your organization and what you can do to stay […]

Armed With the Facts: What to Know About ‘Parking Lot Laws’

Q           In instances of reasonable suspicion or when it relates to the company’s workplace violence policy prohibiting the possession of weapons, are we allowed to search an employee’s vehicle on company property, and can we add this to our employment policy? Like most legal answers, it depends. In recent years, many states have passed what are […]

HRDA Frankly Speaking: Ally’s Reggie Willis on Leading the Five-Generation Workforce

The complexities of leading teams of five different generations were a central focus at this year’s Spark HR 2025, with Reggie Willis, Chief Diversity Officer at Ally Financial, offering invaluable insights. In a session that resonated deeply with HR professionals, Willis explored the profound impact of generational differences on workplace communication and collaboration. His key […]

Safeguarding Intellectual Property in the Modern Workplace

In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a rule banning most noncompete agreements nationwide. Although enforcement is currently stayed (paused) pending legal challenges, courts and legislatures continue to narrow or eliminate noncompete enforceability—prompting employers to reevaluate how they protect proprietary information and competitive advantage. In response, many employers are turning to trade secret law. […]

Faces of HR: Spencer Stuart’s Steve Patscot on the Future of HR 

Before the digital revolution swept through the workplace, there was a different kind of hustle. For Steve Patscot, now Consultant, Partner, and HR Practice Leader at Spencer Stuart, his journey began in the trenches of recruiting at GE – a time when communication, prioritization, and execution were honed through pure human connection, devoid of the […]

Why Employees Matter More Than Mission Statements

Company culture is often described as something driven from the top. But real culture—the one employees live every day—is built, reinforced, and sometimes broken by the people who make up the organization. Leaders can cast a vision, but it takes employees to bring it to life—or let it fade. As John Jones, Managing Director and […]