Artificial Intelligence is expanding its role in human resources, moving beyond its initial applications in recruitment and hiring to encompass compensation analysis and job description creation. AI-powered tools make generating job descriptions and postings remarkably straightforward – requiring only a clear prompt and subject matter expertise to verify accuracy.

 

Earlier this month an ASE member asked about whether doing a performance improvement plan (PIP) made sense if an employee was not performing well and respective management did not think a PIP would work. Should they do it anyway?

Promoting a high performer into their first management role seems like a straightforward win, right? You're rewarding excellence while filling a critical leadership gap. But according to executive coach Sabina Nawaz, author of You're The Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need), this common practice carries hidden risks that HR professionals and organizational leaders often overlook.

As the search for innovative ways to support flexibility and productivity continues, a new workstyle known as microshifting is gaining attention. What is Microshifting? It is short, non-continuous blocks of work rather than a standard 9-5. It allows you to break up your day as you see fit, sprinkling pockets of work in between life and vice versa.

For too long, menopause has been a silent workplace issue. With women aged 45–55 representing a large and growing portion of the workforce, the effects of menopause can influence everything from performance and retention to overall wellbeing.

Social Security wages will rise to $184,500 in 2026: The social security tax on employers and employees will stay the same at 6.2% and for Medicare at 1.45%.  Unlike Social Security, Medicare has no cap on wages.  Medicare surtax of 0.9% hits wages and self-employment joint filers at $250,000 and $200,000 for others.  Kiplinger 11/6/25

Change is constant, yet implementing it effectively remains a challenge for many organizations. According to a recent report from Eagle Hill Consulting, while 63% of U.S. workers experienced workplace change in the past year, 34% felt the changes weren’t worth the organizational effort. Only 25% of employees said their organization manages change effectively across the workforce.

Some of the most dedicated people on your team can be the hardest to read. They rarely complain, rarely slow down, and rarely let anyone see the strain they are under. From the outside, they seem unshakable and always in control, quietly carrying more than anyone realizes. But, that is exactly what makes burnout in this group so sneaky and dangerous.

The Eight Circuit Court of Appeals (Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota) held Home Depot violated the rights of a worker that instead of removing the letters “BLM” on their apron, they quit and brought a claim to the NLRB. The Appeals Court overruled the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) finding that the employee’s display of political support at work was protected by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

Many managers try to steer clear of conflict, especially during stressful times like performance reviews. Rather than addressing both strengths and areas for improvement, some focus only on the positives to avoid uncomfortable conversations. This can create problems later when a new manager steps in and must confront performance issues that were previously overlooked. It’s not uncommon to hear employees say, “My last manager thought I was doing great – why am I being told...

FMLA includes time for mandatory overtime: On September 30, 2025, the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) issued an opinion letter on calculating the amount of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave available to employees who work schedules that include mandatory overtime.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of the workplace. However, while 72% of U.S. hiring managers say their company uses AI – up from 66% last fall – 55% admit their company doesn't have the resources or training to help employees use it effectively.

ASE’s last Michigan Policies and Practices Survey reports that on average over half of Michigan employers (55%) responding do not provide severance pay. Of those that do, many normally provide one or two weeks of pay per year of service as that benefit. However, over 50% of those that provide severance make the severance payout at management’s discretion.

Michigan HR professionals have been navigating the complexities of the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) since its effective date, February 21, 2025. As the year draws to a close, a new set of administrative and compliance tasks emerges. The specific actions HR must take depends on whether your organization utilizes the accrual method or the frontloading method for providing earned sick time.

Religious accommodations are increasingly becoming an issue for HR.  Since the U.S. Supreme Court Groff case (No. 22-174 (June 29, 2023)) raised the bar on what employers must do for religious accommodations, HR has been scrambling to identify ways to accommodate without causing business interruption.  For example, if the employer requires weekend shifts and the employee declines for religious reasons, how does HR respond?