In every organization, there are people who approach challenges differently. They don’t just react to problems – they pause, analyze, connect ideas, and consider the ripple effects of each decision. These are high-level thinkers. In leadership and HR, that kind of thinking is what drives progress, shapes culture, and builds resilient organizations.

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?

Does your company have a drug testing policy, and do you test for marijuana (THC)? Does your company have a driving record checking policy?

Update on minimum wage changes for 2026: See chart for the new 2026 changes. This is also located in the ASE Member Community under My ASE Toolkits and Guides.

I’ve long identified as an introvert. I recharge in quiet reflection and carefully consider my decisions before acting. Yet leading a dynamic organization often requires stepping into the shoes of an extrovert such as speaking to large groups, energizing a room, and navigating highly social situations. Over time, I’ve realized that not everyone fits neatly into the traditional categories of introvert or extrovert. I’ve always said I’m an introvert who sometimes plays...

With a lot of focus recently on different state laws pertaining to paid time off, don’t forget that states also have  their own laws on personnel file management.

In Japan, the practice of Inemuri, sleeping while present, is not a sign of laziness but rather a cultural nuance that reflects dedication and hard work. The term translates to "sleeping while being present," and it's commonly observed in various settings, including workplaces, public transportation, and educational institutions. Ironically, Inemuri is often seen as a testament to one's commitment to their responsibilities.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the interactive process for accommodations requires an ongoing dialogue between employer and employee to identify appropriate accommodations.  Ultimately it is the employer’s decision, but the employer cannot unilaterally make a decision without dialogue.  Many times, an accommodation is either at no cost or up to about $200, so an accommodation should be doable.

The conversation about hiring has changed dramatically in the past decade. Once upon a time, recruiters were viewed as service providers – people who processed resumes and filled open seats. Today, they’re strategic operators, managing a complex, high-stakes ecosystem where speed, judgment, and influence often determine an organization’s ability to compete for talent.

Daylight Savings Time ends November 2: When clocks are turned back an hour in the early morning on November 2nd workers on the midnight shift at that time will actually work an extra hour. Assuming that these workers are nonexempt employees, meaning that they are governed by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), they must be paid for all hours worked.

Since the federal PUMP Act went into effect in mid-2023, employers with more than 15 employees are required to provide nursing mothers with a private space to express milk at work. ASE has covered this requirement previously, but we are now receiving questions from employers whose employees work offsite, such as on construction projects or farms, where traditional facilities are not available. How can these employers comply with the PUMP Act when new mothers must work outdoors or in...

Childcare costs are placing a significant burden on U.S. families, and data now shows that these affordability pressures are affecting the nation’s labor force. According to The Care Board, a project of the University of Kansas Institute for Policy & Social Research, mothers experienced the sharpest January–June decline in labor force participation (2.8 percentage points) in more than 40 years. Fathers’ participation remains steady above 95%, suggesting that the impact...

Artificial intelligence is woven into nearly every part of work life. But as AI becomes more capable, a new question is surfacing in HR circles: how much work should still be done by people?

A new trend is reshaping workplace dynamics: fewer workers want to be managers, and HR needs to take notice and plan for the rise of “conscious unbossing.”

Massachusetts, California and the state of Washington have new pay transparency requirements that employers need to be aware of.

EEOC sued to enforce EEO laws for LGBTQ complaints:  A legal services nonprofit cannot challenge the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity’s handling of gender identity discrimination allegations because the agency’s enforcement of federal laws is a core executive function generally insulated from judicial review, EEOC claimed in an Oct. 15 court filing. 

Artificial intelligence isn’t just the next technological wave; it’s a transformation that will touch every role, every industry, and every employee. As Walmart CEO Doug McMillon recently said, “Maybe there’s a job in the world that AI won’t change, but I haven’t thought of it.” That statement captures the moment we’re all in. AI is no longer theoretical. It’s here, and it’s reshaping how work gets done.