Employee Relations Questions of the Week

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Company Holiday Party Considerations – Pay, Safety, Inclusivity

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The holiday season is just around the corner, bringing with it a variety of parties and events that celebrate this festive time. These gatherings are also opportunities to express gratitude to employees, recognize their hard work, and strengthen team bonds.
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Free Speech in the Workplace: Navigating Rights & Respect

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HR Question In an era of polarized opinions, instant communication, and frequent social media interactions, HR professionals face the challenge of balancing employees’ free speech with maintaining a respectful workplace. How do we handle these sometimes-conflicting aspects in employment? HR Answer We see employee communications often that cause us pause. An employee calls their boss […]
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Conflict Management Strategies To Help Employees Work Together

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With the help of a few good tactics and a great HR partner, it is possible to address conflict in work relationships and help employees find functional strategies for moving forward and working well together.
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Workplace Bullying

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HR Question: How do you address bullying behavior in the workplace? HR Answer: Bullying is one of the most common types of workplace misbehavior. In 2022, the Harvard Business Review reported that an estimated 48.6 million Americans, or about 30% of the workforce, are bullied at work, and that number continues to grow. Employees are […]
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Investigations With Intention

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HR Question: I just received a complaint about an employee doing work for his other job on our company’s time, and it is going to require an investigation. What do I need to know before getting started? HR Answer: Conducting an employee investigation is a serious matter that must be handled well, utilizing a fair, […]
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Civility in the Workplace

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What Questions Should I Ask During An Exit Interview?

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HR Question: We’ve decided to start conducting exit interviews but aren’t sure of the right questions to ask. What are some key questions to ask during an exit interview? HR Answer: Exit interviews are an important part of the employee life cycle. These interviews, conducted after an employee has formally turned in their resignation and […]
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Specific Ways HR Can Cultivate an Inclusive Workplace

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HR Question: We’re celebrating the last full week of Black History month, and we want to keep the conversation going. How can our HR department cultivate a more inclusive environment beyond Black History Month? HR Answer: While the month of February inspires us to celebrate the successes and recognize the struggles of Black and African […]
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How to Handle Unemployment Fraud?

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HR Question: Our company is getting unemployment notices for people that have never worked here, or in some cases, people who are still employed.  How should I handle this unemployment fraud? HR Answer: The increasing level of unemployment fraud has been a source of frustration for states, employers, and individual employees.  Various US congressional packages […]
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Empathy First: A Modern Guide to Nonprofit Layoffs

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Layoffs are never easy. For not-for-profits (NFPs), where mission-driven cultures and tight-knit teams are the norm, the impact of workforce reductions can feel even more personal. Yet in times of economic uncertainty, funding changes, or strategic realignment, reductions in force (RIFs) may be unavoidable. Although consideration for the necessary legal concerns related to a layoff […]
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How Do I Successfully Coach Employees to Improve Performance?

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Video: What is a DiSC Assessment and What is it Used For?

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How Do I Manage a Disrespectful Employee?

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How Can I Support Employee Well-Being Beyond the EAP?

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HR Question: Our HR team is exploring ways we can support employee well-being in addition to offering an EAP. What should we consider in our approach? HR Answer: While many organizations have implemented an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as an important way to support their employees’ mental health, that is only one component of well-being. […]
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Three Ways Employers Can Promote Work-Life Balance

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It’s no secret that the work environment has changed in recent years. We’ve experienced a pandemic, a labor shortage, inflation, and a contentious election, just to name a few. The recent Mercer Global Talent Trends found that more than 80% of employees are at risk of burnout. This was found to be stemming from excessive workload, […]
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What Are Employee Pulse Surveys And How Can They Increase Retention?

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HR Question: We are exploring ways to increase our employee retention and engagement, and someone suggested doing an employee pulse survey. Can you explain what that is and how to best use it to drive engagement? HR Answer: Given the labor market the past few years, it is no secret that employers have seen formidable […]
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How to Re-Energize Your Team Through Training & Development

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Preventing A Hostile Environment

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Question: We’re hearing a lot about hostile work environments and bullying. What can we do to prevent a hostile work environment and harassment claims? Answer: Recent court decisions illustrate the need for employers to elevate all types of harassment to the list of important workplace issues. It is virtually impossible for employers to monitor or […]
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Can My Employee Take a Vacation While on FMLA Leave?

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Top 3 Reasons Why New Hires Leave… And How to Turn Around Your Turnover!

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Is it Important to Use Consensual Relationship Agreements?

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Employee Engagement Ideas To Fit Any Budget

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HR Question: What are some fun and interesting ways to encourage employee engagement with my team that do not take tons of time or money? HR Answer: We spend so much of our time with our co-workers every week, and it is important to keep things exciting and to maintain open communication among the teams. […]
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5 Key Points To Use Assessments in the Employee Life Cycle

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What is so significant about the term experience? Experience is how we remember life. An experience awakens the senses and, for better or worse, leaves a lasting impression. Often, those impressions are shared with others, especially with the ease of the Internet and social media. Driven by this, organizations today strive to leave a positive […]
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Can I Fire Someone During Their Introductory Period?

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HR Question: Can I fire someone during their introductory period? Are there ways to reduce our risk? HR Answer: The short answer can be yes. As long as an employer has a properly written (and implemented) introductory period, there should be little concern over terminating someone during their new hire period. In fact, sometimes it […]
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How Can We Make DE&I Programs More Effective?

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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion programs (DE&I programs) that create a culture of inclusivity are key to attracting top talent, retaining employees, and developing an engaged and highly productive workforce. The significance of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion within the workplace is not a new concept. However, a growing number of businesses are researching and implementing these […]
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Could Sabbaticals Be Your Next Retention Tool?

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HR Question: In today’s fast-paced and high-pressure market, it’s difficult to truly disconnect from work. We’ve been trying to find ways to give our team a break to avoid burnout, but sometimes a week of vacation just isn’t enough. Could sabbaticals be the newest tool in our retention toolbox? HR Answer: You’re not alone in […]
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How Employers Can Understand and Support Those With Eating Disorders

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by Stephanie Pittman Sullivan, MA, PHR What you don’t know may be hurting your employees and your bottom line. The prevalence of eating disorders is staggering. Employers may suspect an employee has an eating disorder but not know how to address the problem and be hesitant to do or say anything given today’s legal climate. […]
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Work-Life Balance Has Become Work-Life Integration

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Let’s begin with the understanding that some people are going to hate this idea. Work-life integration? Work seeping into all areas of your life at all hours of the day sounds awful, right? Isn’t it already happening? It is likely that most of you thought about an upcoming deadline, had a great idea on that […]
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Benefits of Using Employee Engagement Surveys

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Question: What is an employee engagement survey and why would our company need one? Answer: Employee engagement surveys are a great tool to have to help businesses get their employees involved and actively engaged in operations. Basically, it’s a survey that gives employees the opportunity to share their opinions on the business-related issues of their […]
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Should We Abolish Performance Improvement Plans?

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What is a PIP? A performance improvement plan (or PIP), as defined by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), is a tool utilized specifically to provide employees with an “opportunity to succeed,” rather than lose their job. PIPs provide two important features: first, to provide a timeline for improvement; and second, to create documentation […]
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Why Employee Retention is More Important Now Than Ever

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We’ve all been hearing the same thing: we’re in the Post-Pandemic War for Talent. Some have called it the Turnover Tsunami or the Great Resignation. No matter what it’s called, the reality remains the same: businesses are in a talent crisis. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 9.2 million job openings in May 2021 – […]
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Working Together Effectively After A Harassment Investigation

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HR Question: I have an employee that filed a complaint against their supervisor for alleged harassment.  An investigation has been completed and it was determined that there was not harassment and the issue was resolved.  I am very concerned about the employee and their supervisor being able to work effectively together in the future.  What […]
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Why Is Workplace Monitoring Necessary?

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Question:  I just noticed that there are a number of cameras monitoring me in my workplace.  I’m not sure why I never noticed it before but as I look around, there appears to be a number of “eyes in the sky”.  Is this legal?  It really makes me feel uncomfortable and I can’t believe they […]
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Delegation – But I Don’t Want to Give Up Control!

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Question: Help! We are having some major issues with our managers delegating. They are either not delegating at all, therefore stressed, or they are delegating the wrong things to the wrong people. What guidance can I offer them? Answer: Delegation can be a tricky thing.  When done right, it helps a manager to be more […]
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Making the Change Towards Corporate Social Responsibility in Your Organization

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Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a broad term for self-regulating oneself in terms of ethical responsibility and compliance.  The term can refer to both internal and external activities that an organization can take part in to improve itself as well as the communities and environments in which it lives and works.  Strategic human resources leaders […]
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Being Charged for Constructive Discharge

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Question:  I just received a claim from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission indicating a charge for constructive discharge.  What does this mean?  The employee resigned, I’m not sure what I’m being charged with. Answer: According to the EEOC, Constructive Discharge is when an employee feels forced to resign because the employer (or those in the […]
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How to Handle Political Talk During the Work Day

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HR Question: Since it’s an election year (not to mention one during an unprecedented pandemic), the conversations between my employees are becoming increasingly political. How do I handle this political talk either in the office or with remote workers during office hours? HR Answer: It’s natural that conversations amongst team members can quickly turn political […]
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What Should I Consider Before Doing a Reduction in Force?

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HR Question: I may need to restructure my workforce as a result of the downturn in business activity. What should I consider from a fairness and legal standpoint? HR Answer: Determining the need for a Reduction in Force (RIF) is a challenging decision to make, but it is sometimes necessary to keep the business running […]
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The Advantages and Disadvantages of a “360” Feedback Process

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by Linda Gravett, Ph.D., SPHR Every Human Resource practitioner I talk with agrees with me on one thing: there is no such thing as a perfect feedback instrument and process. However, the “360” process, when planned and executed well, comes pretty close. I’ve worked with organizations using this process for 12 years and observed some […]
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Impact Of Miscarriage On Leave

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Question: We had an employee request, and was granted, maternity leave under our leave policy.  After the leave was granted, she had a miscarriage. How should this impact the maternity leave and how long should we allow her to be out? Answer: From a legal perspective, maternity leave falls under the Family Medical Leave Act […]
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Where Do They Fit In? Why Don’t My Employees Understand?

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By Cathleen Snyder, SPHR, SHRM-SCP We’ve been noticing this question coming up more and more, and many employers are asking us what to do about it: “My employees don’t see how the way they act is a reflection of our company.”  “They don’t get it, that when they call off everyone on the team is […]
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Making A Drug Free Workplace Exception

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Question: We recently acquired a company. We are a drug free workplace and conducted drug screens across the entire workforce for the new company. One employee did not pass, however, he was a top performer and highly recommended by the management of the company we acquired. Our policy does say failure to pass the drug […]
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Performance Management: The Individual Strategic Plan

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by Robin Throckmorton, MA, SPHR Performance management has become an ever-increasing critical tool to success for businesses. Within the last year we have experienced both a booming economy as well as a recession; a historically low unemployment rate combined with massive layoffs and business closings. But the bottom line to all of this is people! […]
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Should I be worrying about employee retention?

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Question: Should I really be worried about employee retention during economic downturns when unemployment numbers are so high? Answer: YES!!! It is still a shock to the system when we give presentations to HR professionals and small business owners and ask “what are you doing about retention?” and we get these looks like “retention” why […]
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Requiring Employee Contact Information

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Can my company require our employees to provide their personal cell phone number and home email address?
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