Crucial Conversations and Effective Communication
The backbone of a successful workplace is effective communication. Sharing information is an essential piece but it is also about understanding the emotions and intentions behind the information. When communication is clear and respectful, it generates a positive environment where everyone can thrive. One key aspect of effective communication is being able to oversee crucial conversations that include those high-stakes discussions where opinions vary, emotions run high, and the outcomes are significant. Effective communication is the process of exchanging ideas, opinions, knowledge, and data so that the message is received and understood with clarity and purpose. Communication occurs in both…
Skills Over Degrees
The changing work world is taking place at an astonishing pace. There are changes in talent acquisition practices as well as the impact of AI allowing 2025 to be a year of new opportunities and new transformations guided by the need for the workforce to be increasingly flexible and skilled in meeting market demands. Skills-based hiring is gaining momentum with the thought that workers’ skills and capabilities matter more than their educational background or work history. The focus is on what employees can do and not where or how they learned to do it. This concept widens the talent pool…
The Importance of Labor Law Posters
Labor law posters are especially important for compliance, legal protection, and fostering a positive workplace. When the posters are kept up-to-date, businesses can navigate evolving regulations and provide a safe, fair, and legally compliant work environment for all employees in 2025 and beyond. Labor law posters define those federal and state employment-related laws that all employers must comply with. Additionally, it is the responsibility of the employers to make sure the posters are posted in an area where all employees have access to read them. There is key labor laws implemented in 2025. First, there are the minimum wage increases…
RTO Mandates Are Causing Employers to lose skilled Employees
Return to office (RTO) mandates have become an issue within organizations causing them to lose employees in large numbers. S&P 500 companies have seen a dip in employee retention with high employee turnover because of the RTO policies being enforced. In addition to it being difficult to retain exiting employees, the RTO mandates have also had an impact on hiring. This is making it harder to fill vacant positions at the same rate as before. It is always essential to plan before enforcing any further regulatory changes. Employers felt after the initial resistance, employees would fall in line with the…
Supreme Federal Court of Brazil Rules on Validity of Intermittent Contracts
Intermittent contracts have been used by countless organizations as an alternative way to engage individuals since the labor reform in 2017. The utilization of an intermittent contract allows employers to hire workers that will provide services on a noncontinuous basis, which is with alternating time limit of service provision and inactivity that wavers according to the organization’s requests. While in the period of inactivity, and the worker is not available to the employer, they will be free to provide services to other businesses. The logic of these arrangements has recently been challenged and the Brazil Supreme Federal Court has analyzed…
How to manage Coworker Conflict
When co-workers face a conflict over work-related issues and start avoiding each other, it is a natural thought to think if someone should assist in fixing the issue. Such behavior can create an awkward work environment for everyone around. If the tension affects collaboration, team morale, and productivity, it may be essential for a manager to step up and acknowledge the situation. In doing so the focus should be toward resolving the work-related issue and not forcing personal reconciliation. We all do our best to keep emotions in check when in the office. When someone has a meltdown that is…
Menopause Conversations at Work and Benefits
Menopause is having a moment in workplaces. One of the most immense HR inclinations has been how employers are normalizing menopause and supporting women by engaging in open conversations, offering benefits, and providing healthcare access. The change toward having more open conversations regarding deeply personal topics, and a focus on wellness at work is placing menopause as a topic of conversation. There is a fair percentage of the U.S. population experiencing menopause systems such as hot flashes, headaches, heart palpitations, and insomnia. Employers are considering relevant benefits and having conversations asking women what they need and educating every one of…
Overtime Rule Set Aside
April 2024, the Biden administration issued a final rule which implemented a new DOL salary test for white collar workers. With an effective July 1, 2024, the final rule increased the salary threshold for white collar exemptions from $35,568 per year to $43,880 per year. This rule had also scheduled a second increase of the salary threshold to become effective January 1, 2025. The January 2025 salary threshold would increase the required annual earnings from $43,880 to $58,656. Following the implementation of the DOL final regulation, the State of Texas sued the DOL stating that the agency had exceeded…
The Impact of AI for HR Leaders
Generative AI, often called Gen AI, is artificial intelligence (AI) that can create original content that includes text, images, video, audio, or software code in response to a user’s request. The AI landscape is spreading rapidly and providing constant changes, HR leaders must stay a few steps ahead by recognizing the core capabilities while becoming prepared for the effects generative AI (GenAI) will have on their organizations. Most organizations are in the beginning stages of AI where HR leaders have a crucial responsibility in advancing AI initiatives even with significant gaps in the understanding and implementation. We will provide a…
What makes a good Boss?
There are employees around the world that can tell stories about enduring a bad boss. Not everyone knows how to be a great boss. Let us investigate what makes an individual a good boss. Good bosses display empathy, adaptability, communication, and accountability to name a few essential characteristics. They go beyond meeting deadlines, managing a team, and delegating tasks. Focal points include encouraging a strong culture with a work environment that promotes growth, collaboration, and innovation and provides support when needed. Good bosses will inspire and build rapport that in return contributes to productivity and strong morale. They also desire…
