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.

Last month in our March 21st Conversations with Mike and Tony, along with some recent changes to OSHA penalties and recent data on job injuries, we also talked about the fact that David Keeling was nominated by President Trump to head the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). His confirmation by the Senate is still pending, but what might Mr. Keeling consider changing?

Today’s younger generations—Millennials and Gen Z in particular—aren’t driven by the same ideals that motivated workers in decades past. Gone are the days when company loyalty was a primary virtue. Now, younger employees are seeking something far more personal: quality. Not just quality of life, but also quality in  the workplace.

Employee volunteer programs are no longer just a “nice to have”—they’re a strategic investment with measurable returns. From boosting employee engagement and skill development to enhancing brand reputation and attracting top talent, these programs offer tangible benefits for both organizations and their people. This article will dive into those benefits and offer some best practices to get you started.

President Trump nominated Jonathan Berry to be the next Solicitor of the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).  Jonathan Berry is a managing partner at Boyden Gray PLLC and a member of the Federalist Society, a conservative legal group.  He is also the author of Chapter 18 of Project 2025’s treatise Mandate for Leadership, which focuses on labor department priorities and activities.

Are you prepared for I-9 and immigration enforcement? Federal immigration authorities may be gradually boosting their enforcement activities, but the slow pace has not changed employers’ need for caution. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the nature of work and challenging traditional roles across every industry. For HR professionals and employees alike, understanding how AI is reshaping talent is critical to staying ahead. Fortunately, there's a clear and practical way to evaluate where your work stands in this new landscape: the 3-Bucket Analysis.

The Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Executive Orders have taken root and at the time of writing been upheld most recently by the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Other than the obvious programs such as employee resource groups (ERGs), hiring preferences, and worker pipeline building, what other areas of HR may DEI impact that HR needs to be aware of?

The concept of "Liberation Day" has emerged as a pivotal point for strategic planning for manufacturing. As articulated by Josh Bersin in a recent podcast, this day marks a significant shift in global trade dynamics, influencing how companies approach their manufacturing strategies and, consequently, their HR practices.

This past January President Biden signed the 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. This new law expands protections under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act, more commonly known as USERRA (passed in 1994). USERRA is the basis for many employers’ Military Leave policies. USERRA prohibits employers from discriminating against, harassing (allowing) or retaliating against veterans and service members, and provides reemployment and other rights...

Do you have employees who drive for work purposes? Are you aware of everyone who does so for your company? Most importantly, do you have policies and procedures in place for checking motor vehicle records on all employees who drive for work purposes, and is your staff aware of the policies?

Employers must post new State of Michigan Veteran poster:  Effective 4/2/25, businesses must display a veteran’s resource poster in an area accessible to all employees, per PA 197 of 2004 — enacted by the Michigan Legislature on the final day of its session. 

Employers are facing an unprecedented mix of challenges that make long-term planning increasingly difficult. The impending tariffs, economic uncertainty, and today’s unpredictable political climate are creating a complex business environment where stability is hard to find. ASE hears daily from business leaders grappling with these concerns and looking for ways to adapt.