Creating an effective office design is crucial for productivity and comfort. Over the pandemic many remote employees threw together “temporary” workspaces in their home.  But with so many people now working remotely on a more permanent basis, I like the following tips I found in the Wall Street Journal recently for optimizing your workspace:

Last week we looked at 10 Leadership Styles and How to Work with Them. This week we are looking at six employee types and recommendations on how employers should address each type.

Since 1966 private employers with 100 or more employees and federal contractors with 50 or more employees and that meet certain criteria are required to report annually the number of individuals they employ by job category, sex, and race or ethnicity.  The EEO-1 report, although filed in 2023, is for the 2022 year.  So, the report is called 2022 EEO-1 Component 1.

Learning how your employees learn could be the best use of your time yet.  By understanding the three learning styles, leaders can maximize effectiveness not only in training but also business in general.  There are three types of learners: Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic. 

Earlier this year the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued proposed rules prohibiting the use of non-compete agreements with most employees. Non-compete agreements restrict an employee from leaving an employer and taking another job – usually but not always – in the same business, for a specific period of time and within a limited geographic area. Historically the purpose of non-compete agreements was to protect confidential information about a business from being poached by a...

Illinois updates its Equal Pay Act effective Jan 1, 2025: Transparency legislation that requires employers to include pay ranges and benefits in job postings, expanding the state’s Equal Pay Act of 2003 law was signed by Governor Pritzker.

More than half of the working population in 2021, 155 million, relied on employer health coverage. While average premiums are up 4% from 2020, costs are up 47% when comparing 2021 to 2011. Deductibles have surged 68.4% over the last decade with the advent of high deductible plans.

As ASE has reported, the pro-union National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is dramatically changing labor law tilting against union-free employers. The ongoing changes to labor rules and practice by the NLRB will make it much easier for unions to organize and also much easier for employers to break the law.

Navigating various types of leadership in the workplace can be challenging. There are many contrasting styles of leadership – some easier to work with than others.

Organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of cultivating their internal talent to future supervisors. Transitioning from an individual contributor to a manager requires a shift in mindset and skillset. Many organizations have come to realize that simply promoting high-performing employees to managerial roles isn't enough. Instead, a systematic approach that combines training, mentorship, and ongoing development is essential.

As I sit in a hotel room in Texas the day before the start of the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) annual conference, it made me pause to consider how much better this is than going virtual during the pandemic. Don’t get me wrong, there are benefits to learning virtually, and I can learn from both virtual and in-person classes, but there is something different about an in-person conference.

Federal Contractors be aware, new CSAL list is out: The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) published the latest Corporate Scheduling Announcement List (CSAL) for supply & service contractors, which is comprised of 1,000 federal contractors and subcontractors. 

According to a recent study, employees who exhibit high levels of agreeableness are gaining more appreciation from their colleagues and managers. Shockingly, in past studies, agreeableness did not affect teamwork or organizational success in the workplace, but today, it does.

As reported last week, on August 30, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced it is proposing a revised rule that will increase its Salary Level Test by revising part of the Exemption Tests in its regulations. To be classified as an exempt employee under the DOL regulations, the job must meet three tests as outlined by the FLSA regulations:

In a March report released by the Pew Research Center, it was revealed that in 2022, women in the United States typically earned 82 cents for each dollar earned by men in similar roles. This statistic remained stagnant when compared to the year 2002 when women earned 80 cents on the dollar. The slow pace of narrowing the gender pay gap in the 21st century stands in stark contrast to the considerable progress made in the preceding two decades. In 1982, women were earning a mere 65 cents for...

Under general EEO law, federal anti-discrimination law liability arises depending on the federal circuit court of appeals in three situations:  the Sixth Circuit prohibits any “materially adverse change in the terms of employment;” the Ninth Circuit prohibits any adverse treatment “reasonably likely to deter” the plaintiff from engaging in protected activity; and finally, the Fifth and Eighth Circuits prohibit an “ultimate employment decision.” ...

While employee burnout is on a slow decline, it remains a significant concern within the U.S. workforce, according to the latest research from Eagle Hill Consulting. The study reveals that currently, 45% of employees report experiencing burnout, which is a decrease from the 49% reported in August 2022 and an even more significant decline from the 58% recorded in August 2020. However, younger workers, at 52%, and women, at 48%, still report the highest levels of burnout.

EEO-1 reporting starts October 31, 2023: The 2022 EEO-1 Component 1 data collection will open on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. The EEO-1 online Filer Support Message Center (i.e., filer help desk) will also be available on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, to assist filers with any inquiries they may have regarding the 2022 collection.

Last week the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued its long-anticipated decision in Cemex Construction Materials Pacific LLC and also issued a new rule changing union election procedures.

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program’s new scheduling letter.  The updated scheduling letter applies to supply and service compliance evaluations scheduled on or after August 24, 2023.

A recent study conducted by ResumeBuilder.com sheds light on the prevalent issue of dishonesty in the hiring process. The survey, which gathered responses from over a thousand hiring managers, revealed that 36% of these professionals acknowledge engaging in deceptive practices when recruiting candidates.

Creating a comfortable and engaging learning environment is crucial in the corporate classroom. Icebreakers play a vital role in fostering connections, breaking down barriers, and setting a positive tone for learning.

When interviewing a benefits broker, it’s essential to ask the right questions to ensure that they can meet your company’s specific needs and provide the best benefits package for your employees.  Start with the basic questions:

The EEO-1 Component 1 (demographic data collection) approved by OMB:  The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) request to extend “Component 1” of the annual Employer Information (EEO-1) Report. Interestingly, the extension is for only one year rather than the normal three-year approval. 

I have always been fascinated by psychology.  In fact, my undergraduate degree is in psychology and sociology. But being a remarkable leader doesn't necessitate having a degree in psychology.