Category: Employee Relations

As HR professionals, we are tasked with making sure that employees are happy and motivated at work, that they have their needs met, and that they understand their value to the company’s mission and goals. Sometimes our role is to act as mediators and step in when problems or issues arise between employees or between […]

When thinking about leadership, the top characteristics that come to mind are probably boldness, intelligence, proactivity, fearlessness, inspiration, dedication, strategic thinking, and bravery. Most people mistakenly don’t associate humility with leadership, yet humility is a virtue at the core of great leadership. Many think that being humble means being timid or weak, a pushover, or […]

Many companies offer some type of rewards program—and the kinds of rewards systems you’ll find are as varied as the companies themselves. This is a good thing, because it means that companies are customizing their programs to fit their needs—and often their employees’ preferences. And since reward programs are aimed at motivating employees, it’s an […]

Workplace drug testing is nothing new, but it does seem to carry a certain amount of controversy with it these days. The legalization and popularity of certain drugs has raised questions about what is ethical, legal, or an invasion of privacy. It’s more important than ever to ensure that, as an employer, you are within […]

Pregnancy in the workplace and the maternity leave that follows is one of a working mother’s greatest concerns, yet it can sometimes be overlooked as such an important time to their employers. Whether the time is simply overlooked, needs are misunderstood, or even discrimination occurs, far too many employers are missing the mark. Not only […]

The typical 8-hour workday—that 9 to 5 schedule we’re all so familiar with—has changed a lot in the past couple of decades. While most people recognize 8 hours as the norm, many work a lot more than that every day. In some industries, working 8 hours a day is considered slacking. Some companies expect employees […]

In my life I have attended a lot of breakfast meetings. The ones that used to tickle me the most were the ones sponsored by a local hospital or doctor’s group. Even though they preached healthy living, they almost always served the standard breakfast fare (at least for my area of the country), which was […]

Traditionally, the office has been considered a place where everyone is expected to be focused and serious. Laughing and telling jokes was frowned upon and looked on as a juvenile waste of time. But times have changed, and the workplace environment is beginning to look a little different. Leaders and senior managers are starting to […]

All our lives we have been told to kick back and chillax (chill + relax) during the summertime. Summer is our reward for making it through the rough winter months. As kids we live for summer breaks, and parents take time off work for vacations during the summer. Amusement parks and water parks are packed […]

You might think it’s best to keep all drama out of the workplace, but it can actually be therapeutic. Drama therapy uses processes from drama or theater to encourage people to “act out” problems, feelings, or issues as a way of resolving them and reaching constructive solutions. The technique is used most in schools, hospitals, […]

Delegating is absolutely necessary for the success of any manager. Some managers, especially new and younger managers, are not comfortable with delegating tasks to their team members. These younger managers come from a generation of DIY, or do-it-yourself. They are used to relying on themselves and are very independent. This can often be reflected in […]

Conflict in the workplace is practically inevitable. People grouped together in close quarters, day in and day out, are bound to disagree at some point or another. Whether you’re looking for it or not, the conflict will find you in the workplace. Since encountering conflict in the office is inevitable, knowing how to handle it […]