Blogs

Layoff Announcements Reach Highest Level in Nearly Five Years

By Valorie Waldon posted 6 days ago
U.S. employers announced more layoffs in February 2025 than at any time since the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to multiple news reports. As reported by Reuters , last month’s 172,017 job cuts were the most since July 2020, with the federal government accounting for about 62,000 layoffs. The total number of job cuts announced in February represents a 245% increase from January. Meanwhile, the country saw an increase of 151,000 new nonfarm jobs in February, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) . Although the overall job numbers continued to trend up, anticipated federal government cuts could ...

How Do the New Executive Orders Impact Workplace Investigations?

By Julia Paris posted 6 days ago
With the recent flurry of new executive orders issued by President Trump, human resources professionals across the country have been faced with possible changes to their practices and obligations, from affirmative action planning requirements to DEI initiatives. Many companies are examining internal policies and practices across the board, including their EEO policies and how and when they conduct workplace investigations. Executive Order 14173 revoke s prior Executive Order 11246, which mandated affirmative action plans regarding race, color, religion, sex , sexual orientation , gender identity , or national origin for ...

Layoffs vs. Terminations: Know the Differences and Alternatives

By Hannah Nelson posted 6 days ago
Layoffs and terminations are making headlines on an almost weekly basis these days. With employers facing cuts to the workforce, questions often arise regarding the difference between layoffs and termination, as well as what alternatives may exist. Layoffs Layoffs are a planned elimination of positions or jobs. There are different terms used for layoffs, including a reduction in force, restructuring, rightsizing, and downsizing. Layoffs are typically driven by the need to reduce costs. While the decision to lay off employees may be driven by costs, this does not protect employers from risks associated with separation, including litigation. ...

Utah Lawmakers Ban Public Sector Collective Bargaining

By Brandon Garrett posted 6 days ago
The Utah Legislature is not wasting time getting bills on the governor’s desk and signed into law. Governor Cox recently signed H.B. 267 , which was hotly contested and at the forefront of debate. The bill amends provisions governing public employees, public safety, and public fire labor. The new legislation states that a public employer may not recognize a labor organization as a bargaining agent for public employees, nor can a public employer collectively bargain or enter into any collective bargaining contract with a labor organization or a representative. H.B. 267 does provide that if a pu b lic employer has a ...

Here’s How to Craft Effective Job Postings

By Kim Robinson posted 13 days ago
Savvy recruiting professionals know that a multi-pronged approach to finding talent usually yields the best results. They may employ both active and passive strategies, posting on job boards and their company careers page, soliciting employee referrals, reaching out through networks, and contacting potential candidates directly. No matter what the approach, nearly every candidate will view a version of a job posting at some point. For many, the posting will be their first experience with the organization, and we know that first impressions are lasting and often hard to change. How can we create clear, concise job postings that inform candidates about ...

Can My Organization Provide Comp Time?

By Brandy Walker posted 13 days ago
Even if you have only worked in HR for a short time, you know that a unique language is used. There are countless acronyms and special lingo used throughout the day. This language can sometimes get employers into trouble when the regular English definition and the legal definition have conflicting meanings. One such example of this is the use of “comp time.” According to the Oxford definition, compensatory time, or “comp time,” is “an arrangement by which eligible employees are entitled to time off in lieu of overtime pay.” The key word here is “eligible.” According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), “The use of comp time instead ...

Five Non-Monetary Ways to Recognize Employees

By Chelsea Jensen posted 13 days ago
Financial incentives like bonuses and gift cards can be great motivators, but non-financial recognition can have an even greater impact on employee engagement and job satisfaction. Thoughtful, personalized recognition fosters a positive workplace culture, improves retention, and enhances productivity — all without requiring a significant financial investment. If you're looking for effective non-monetary ways to recognize and engage employees, here are five powerful strategies: Praise from Leadership Employees thrive when they feel valued, and effective recognition from managers and senior leaders plays a crucial role in this. According ...

If You’re Using AI, Remember the ADA

By Dustin Brown posted 13 days ago
Seemingly overnight, employers’ use of artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic decision-making tools in the workplace is ubiquitous. While these technologies may be useful for many employers, they carry the risk of unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees, including people with disabilities. Whether using AI to assist with talent acquisition, monitoring employee performance, determining employee pay, or in some other way, employers should keep in mind the legal implications of its use and brush up on one area in particular, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) . A New Executive Order The Equal ...

New Online Notice Options Offer Streamlined Health Coverage Reporting

By Jana Karr posted 15 days ago
Guidance on the alternative methods for furnishing health coverage statements required under sections 6055 and 6056 is now available under Notice 2025-15 published by the IRS on February 25, 2025. The Paperwork Burden Reduction Act provides that employers and insurers are no longer required to automatically furnish Forms 1095-B and 1095-C to individuals, unless the forms are requested, so long as timely notice is provided. Section 6055 mandates that providers of minimum essential coverage must file annual information returns with the IRS and provide statements to individuals enrolled in coverage. Section 6056 requires applicable ...

What You Need to Know About Colorado’s Upcoming Biometric Law

By Mark Decker posted 20 days ago
On July 1, 2025, the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) will be amended by Colorado’s Biometric Data Privacy Law . This amendment includes specific provisions that regulate the collection and use of employees’ biometric information. Scope The law applies to entities, including nonprofits, conducting business in Colorado or targeting Colorado residents, regardless of size or data volume. This includes employers collecting identifiable biometric information from employees. Exemptions are limited and include entities such as financial institutions subject to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. In short, if you are an employer operating in or targeting ...

Effective Strategies for Educating Employees on Benefits

By Kirsten Ellis posted 20 days ago
In today’s competitive job market, attracting and retaining talent has become increasingly challenging for organizations. While traditional benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, remain essential, many companies are exploring an array of alternative benefits and incentives. These offerings may include flexible work schedules, remote work options, wellness programs, career development opportunities, and mental health support. Providing innovative benefits boosts employee satisfaction , engagement , and retention, while bolste ring an employer ’s brand. According to a 2024 study by MetLife ...

NLRB Acting General Counsel Rescinds Predecessor’s Labor-Friendly Memoranda

By Curtis Graves posted 27 days ago
On February 14, 2025, Acting General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) William B. Cowen issued Memorandum GC 25-05 , outright rescinding 15 policy memoranda established by his predecessor, Jennifer Abruzzo . In addition, t he new memo rescinded 13 other memoranda pending further guidance and three more as no longer relevant or restoring guidance that existed prior to Abruzzo’s term as General Counsel. The decisive action signals a significant shift in the NLRB’s policy direction under the current administration. Cowen cited an unsustainable backlog of cases as the primary motivation for GC 25-05 ...

Social Media Alerts You to an Employee’s Alarming Off-Duty Conduct. What Now?

By Erika Paulus posted 27 days ago
What should an employer do if an employee is the subject of a viral social media video showing them doing something that violates the employer’s mission and values? A recent incident during a pro football game that gained widespread media attention is a reminder of how an employer can suddenly find itself in that position. At a January game, a male Philadelphia Eagles fan was captured on video yelling sexist slurs at a female Green Bay Packers fan. The video was posted on social media and widely viewed . The man’s employer — a consulting firm focused on diversity and equity — was made aware of the video and terminated his employment, ...

Three Benefits of an Effective Onboarding Program

By Mark Castillo posted 27 days ago
An effective onboarding program is a must-have for all successful organizations. Employees who feel they had a good onboarding experience are 2.6 times more likely to be extremely satisfied with their workplace, according to research by Gallup . Unfortunately, the same research found that only 12% of U.S. employees say their company does a good job of onboarding. So, what is onboarding, and what does it look like? Onboarding is a process for new employees to focus on building a positive and lasting relationship with the organization. During their first few months of employment, a new employee’s time and energy should be centered on building ...

Use Behavioral Interview Questions to Evaluate a Candidate's Alignment

By Chelsea Jensen posted 02-12-2025
In the dynamic world of recruitment, ensuring a candidate aligns with your organization's values is as critical as assessing their technical qualifications. Behavioral-based questions are one of the most effective tools in an interviewer's arsenal for this purpose. These questions dive into a candidate's past experiences to uncover how their actions and decisions reflect their values, offering a glimpse into how they might navigate similar situations in your workplace. The core principle of behavioral interviewing is straightforward: P ast behavior is one of the most vital indicators of future performance. While other question types — ...

Bill Introduced in Utah to Make E-Verify Apply to More Employers

By Erika Paulus posted 02-12-2025
The Utah legislative session kicked off on January 21, 2025, and a bill was introduced into the House, H.B. 214, that proposes to amend the threshold number of employees an employer needs to be covered by Utah’s Private Employer Verification Act. This act requires covered employers to use E-Verify or another status-verification system to verify the federal legal working status of new hires. H.B. 214 proposes to change the threshold from 150 or more employees to five or more employees starting July 1, 2025. E-Verify “is an internet-based system that compares information entered by an employer from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility ...

Hostile Work Environment Case Results in $99,000 Payout by Airline

By Gayle Moser posted 02-04-2025
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and United Airlines recently reached a $99,000 settlement in a lawsuit for a hostile work environment based on race and national origin. This case serves as a reminder to employers of the costly consequences of failing to promptly and adequately investigate claims of workplace harassment. In the case at issue, an Asian American employee claimed that he was subjected to unlawful harassment in the workplace, which included being called by a racial slur , being physically assaulted , and having his employment threatened because of his race and national origin. ...

Opinion Letter Reiterates DOL’s Position on Manager and Supervisor Involvement in Tip Pools

By Drew Hintze posted 02-04-2025
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), regardless of whether a tip credit is taken, managers and supervisors cannot keep tips unless they “solely and directly” provide service to a customer. The law further prohibits managers and supervisors from participating in a tip pool arrangement with other employees who directly serve customers. In Opinion Letter FLSA2025-1 , issued January 14, 2025, the U .S. Department of Labor (DOL) re stated its position on when managers and employees in non-supervisory positions may receive tips from a tip pool . First, t o classify as a manager or supervisor under ...

Be Prepared for Increased I-9 Audits and Unannounced ICE Raids

By Barbara Bagdon posted 01-30-2025
Immigration enforcement has recently been making news across the United States. At Employers Council, we have heard from members wanting to know how they should prepare for any enforcement actions, such as raids or audits, and how they can mitigate risks. This article breaks down some of the crucial terms in this area, describes the risks employers face, and provides guidance on the steps employers can take if they have concerns. ICE Audits Audits have historically occurred more frequently than raids . H owever, if an employer is not prepared, the consequences of an audit can be just as serious as the consequences of a ...

Workplace Flexibility: Effective Approaches to Implementing a Program

By Brandy Walker posted 01-27-2025
Editor’s note: This is the second installment of a two-part series on workplace flexibility. To read part one, click here .  Organizations that successfully implement flexible work strategies don’t just give employees flexibility.   They work to find the right flexibility that balances both employee and business needs.      Achieving and sustaining a culture of flexibility requires customization, and it will look slightly different for each organization. The following are some effective approaches to consider.     Be Agile and Adaptable Needs and conditions change, so it’s important for leaders to accept ...