A new trend is emerging in workplaces nationwide: unbossing. Gen Z is showing less interest in traditional leadership roles. At first glance, this might seem like a red flag for the future of business, but it’s actually an opportunity if we’re willing to evolve.

Policies that prohibit recording or taking pictures or video recordings in the workplace are still pretty common in handbooks. Employers may have valid reasons for implementing these policies, such as preventing the capture of confidential or proprietary business information.

The trend for ban-the-box laws continues to grow, so it is surprising that some employers still have pass/fail policies and processes for background checks that eliminate applicants from consideration without any individualized assessment.

Disparate impact is a difficult method to prove discrimination.  Generally, it is a practice or policy that is neutral on its face yet has significant impact on an affected party. The disparate impact analysis was first discussed in Griggs v. Duke Power, 401 U.S. 424 (1971), which held that Title VII “proscribes not only overt discrimination but also practices that are fair in form, but discriminatory in operation”. In 1991, Congress amended Title VII to add Section 703(k),...

Postpartum recovery is a deeply personal journey, but support can make a big difference. Care and resources following childbirth improve a mother's long-term outcomes. These outcomes are better on a physical, emotional, as well as professional level. Yet within the United States, far too many women navigate this complex transition largely on their own.

Brittany Panuccio nominated to be EEOC Commissioner: President Trump has nominated Brittany Panuccio, an assistant U.S. attorney in Florida, to fill one of the three open seats on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Much is being written and discussed lately about the adoption of AI in the recruitment process.  One industry expert recently speculated that recruiters are one of two positions (attorneys being the second) that may be up next to have AI replace major aspects of the role. Some sources estimate that between 35% and 45% of organizations are now utilizing AI in their hiring practices.  However, as the saying goes, “it takes two to tango,” and employers should be aware of...

In a complaint filed with the EEOC, the ACLU alleged that Intuit’s use of HireVue software—part of an AI-driven hiring process—unfairly rejected a qualified applicant due to the system's failure to accommodate the applicant's disability. The applicant, a Native American who is deaf and speaks with a deaf accent, was reportedly denied the opportunity because the AI could not appropriately process their disability-related communication.

Last week the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced (5/1 Field Assistance Bulletin) it will stop enforcing its Biden-era regulations on determining what an independent contractor (IC) is and go back to a standard set in mid-2008. The Biden-era rule laid out six criteria to determine independent contractor status. This rule made it harder to classify a worker as an independent contractor.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. The 2025 theme is “Turn Awareness into Action,” encouraging individuals and communities to translate understanding into meaningful steps toward change. One critical area where this call to action can make a tangible difference is the workplace, where mental health conditions continue to impact employees and organizational well-being alike.

In the relentless pursuit of higher productivity, better retention, and stronger collaboration, many organizations invest heavily in tools, training, and strategy. But amid these efforts, a critical truth often goes unaddressed: people think differently — and those differences matter more than we realize. Welcome to the world of cognitive diversity, an often-overlooked dimension of workplace inclusivity that holds the key to unlocking untapped human potential.

Pharmaceutical costs going to continue driving up health care costs:  In April at the National Republican Congressional Committee, President Donald Trump shared that his administration will announce tariffs on pharmaceuticals "very shortly."

Have you ever left a conversation feeling completely seen, heard, and energized—as if something in you had shifted? That wasn’t just your imagination. Neuroscience now confirms what many of us instinctively know: truly meaningful conversations can actually change brain function.

With the economy in flux, and layoffs at a high not seen since the pandemic, how can employers protect themselves from lawsuits by disgruntled ex-employees?  In a recent case, Raymond v. Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, No. 23-3126 (U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, 1/7/25), the court reviewed a claim that a group of former employees were selected for termination in a reduction in force (RIF) based on their age, in violation of the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)....

For many positions to be exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) it must meet three tests to be Executive, Administrative, or Professional (EAP) exempt. Exempt positions do not have to be paid overtime at time and one-half (1.5x) or keep records of hours worked. The three exemption tests are:

TalentLMS, a leading employee training platform, in partnership with employee experience platform WorkTango, released a joint study that suggests organizational change is hindered by workers' heightened anxiety, declining trust in leadership, and a lack of support.

HR technology is rapidly evolving, and 2025 could be a tipping point, particularly with the rise of generative and agentic AI. This has been driven by the tremendous growth and use of technology to automate HR operations. While AI continues to evolve, agentic AI represents a giant leap forward beyond traditional AI tools that simply assist.  The term Agentic comes from the idea of an "agent" that exhibits autonomy. It implies that the AI doesn’t just respond to commands...

EEO-1 reporting is scheduled to open May 20th: The portal is scheduled to open on May 20, 2025, and companies will have until June 24, 2025, to submit their reports. On April 15, 2025, in response to Executive Order 14168, Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, the EEOC filed an Information Collection Request (ICR) with OMB requesting what it classified as a non-substantive change to remove the option for employers to...

Attracting and retaining top talent goes far beyond compensation and perks. Employees crave purpose, authenticity, and the freedom to thrive as individuals. As HR professionals, we have a unique opportunity—and responsibility—to shape the culture, policies, and practices that define the employee experience. So, what does it truly take to build the workplace of your team’s dreams?

With five generations in the current workforce, organizations are experiencing an unprecedented blend of experiences and expectations that present both challenges and opportunities for fostering engaging and productive work environments.

With DEI in the crosshairs of the current administration’s enforcement activities, employers need to review their organization for DEI type policies, practices and activities (even if the organization does not subscribe specifically to DEI).  The guiding principle of this audit is to prevent violations of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that govern programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance, Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act which governs the...

April is Alcohol Awareness Month — a timely reminder for HR teams to assess the role alcohol plays in workplace culture and operations. While the occasional happy hour or toast at a company celebration might seem harmless, the presence of alcohol in the workplace brings challenges and serious risks that demand thoughtful consideration.

As a life-long employer advocate, I have to admit to the feeling of schadenfreude when I hear of the always sanctimonious unions getting caught violating the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) with their own employees. Unions love to catch and hold employers up as unfair when they allegedly violate labor law so it’s somewhat satisfying to see them reap what they sow.

Employees want compensation for long commutes in RTO situation: According to professional recruitment consultancy Robert Walters, U.S. professionals spend 1-5% of their annual salaries on commutes alone. Unsurprisingly, 60% of employees believe commutes are the most important expense employers can subsidize, and 74% name commutes as a major factor when considering a new job.

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is about acknowledging your emotions, understanding them, and choosing how to respond—especially when the pressure is on. When you're leading others, EQ becomes even more essential. A well-timed pause or a thoughtful question can defuse tension, protect relationships, and model the kind of leadership people want to follow.