Latest posts six columns

Training employees is critical and you want them, you don’t want them to fall into a rut because to be honest, when someone is in a rut like that, that’s when mistakes happen. You want to constantly be challenging their mind so that they’re always seeing new opportunities, new ways to do things, new technology,...

An employee handbook, also known as a staff manual, is a document provided by an employer to its employees. It serves as a comprehensive guide, outlining the company’s policies, procedures, and expectations. The handbook is designed to provide employees with a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities within the organization. It often covers a...

By Kathryn Mayer   As employers consider how to meet the needs of a diverse workforce—while also attracting and retaining talent in a strong job market—it’s no surprise that offering competitive benefits is a top strategy. But with so many potential offerings—and the costs that go along with them—employers are also trying to identify benefits...

The world is evolving. We have, as I said earlier, artificial intelligence. What we need to do is we need to determine what our skills are right now, where are we going in the future, what are our needs going to be, and then what do we do to get those new skills that we...

Well, mental health is part of the health care benefit. That’s a law. So, when you talk about, you know, are we going to offer that or not, if you offer a medical plan, mental health is treated just like any other illness. So, offering that medical plan would be the way to offer mental...

Often, business owners ask, “What is a Job Description?” Job Descriptions are written documents that define each position in the company. They are the core of every position in an organization. Job descriptions are helpful because: It makes recruiting for the position easy. It would be difficult to determine compensation for the position. It is the best...

By Allen Smith, J.D.   The United Nations has unanimously adopted a resolution calling for safe, secure and trustworthy AI. We’ve gathered articles on the news from SHRM Online and other outlets.   Guardrails on Use of AI The U.N. General Assembly asked all its members to “refrain from or cease the use of artificial intelligence systems...

I think we need to promote and educate our employees on their future. For example, I also promote having employees get involved in a simple IRA plan or 401k plan. I always say even if I touch one 20-year-old to get enrolled in a program like that, they will be set for life because if...

So the traditional benefits are people are expecting their medical dental vision. In this day and age, with the demands and the needs of individuals, they’re changing. There’s what’s called cafeteria plans, meaning that you offer a variety of benefits to an employee. There’s a dollar limit that you may set and say, these are...

The level of detail in a job description can significantly influence the quality and relevance of applicants you attract. A well-detailed job description not only helps potential candidates understand the role and its requirements but also aids in filtering applicants who do not meet the criteria. However, too much detail can overwhelm candidates or discourage...

By Allen Smith, J.D.   On March 21, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce passed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to nullify the new independent contractor rule. We’ve gathered articles on the news from SHRM Online and other outlets.   ‘Threat to the Livelihood of Millions’ At the committee meeting, Rep....

How does an organization survey its customers to see if they are truly appearing to be what their vision and mission is? I would use a third party to do a survey and ask, you know, have that third party who knows what they’re doing, ask the right questions to see if that company is...

We do meet every week on Zoom. We, it could be Teams, it could be whatever virtually. Our meeting is scheduled every Thursday from 8:30 AM to 10 AM. It’s a 90-minute meeting that has a format. We do talk about, you know, the check-in we ask personally, what’s going on in your life for...

Building an effective job description involves outlining the essential duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills required for a specific role within your organization. A well-crafted job description not only helps in attracting the right candidates but also serves as a foundation for performance evaluations, career development, and ensuring compliance with labor laws. Here’s a step-by-step guide...

By Allen Smith, J.D.   Individuals with old criminal records have a greater chance of employment in the growing number of states—now 12—with clean slate laws. As these laws spread, more employers may benefit from a talent pool they haven’t tapped much before.   “Employers need to understand that there is a growing trend throughout...

We just started this year, we had our annual meeting for our plans for 2024 and we now each week we have a weekly meeting with our staff and the person and we alternate who runs the meetings and the person that runs the meeting has to take one of our core values and read...

You need to have employee buy-in when you develop your mission and your vision. And owners, management, those folks that have the decision-making power to do that really need to have the feedback from the people. It needs to be communicated. It’s not just, here’s your handbook, here’s our mission, it’s up on the wall....

Yes, having job descriptions is highly recommended for several important reasons. Job descriptions play a crucial role in various aspects of human resource management and can significantly impact the effectiveness and efficiency of your workforce. Here are key reasons why you need job descriptions:   Clarity and Expectations: Job descriptions provide clear expectations for what...