Focused Articles

Documenting Employee Performance Concerns: A Key Practice for Effective Management

By Carissa Newcomer posted 6 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Effective management requires addressing employee performance concerns promptly and professionally. Documenting these concerns is crucial not only for tracking progress but also for protecting the organization from potential legal or HR-related issues. Well-documented performance concerns can help both the employee and the employer ...
0 comments

Listening, Learning, and Continually Improving Your Membership Experience

By Glenn Pelster posted 6 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
At Employers Council, one of our greatest strengths is our partnership with our members. Your feedback on what’s working well, what could be improved, and what you need next guides our decisions and drives our progress. Over the past year, we’ve taken intentional steps to translate what we heard from you into meaningful enhancements ...
0 comments

Without Values, Organizations Can Veer Off Course

By Brandy Walker posted 6 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Every organization is navigating the current business landscape. However, you may look around and wonder how some have forged a path while others are still deciding which direction to lead the team. What if you had a map and a compass? Would that help you start navigating in the right direction? While a defined organizational ...
0 comments

The Rise of Quiet Vacationing

By Ruth Rusongoza posted 21 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Quiet vacationing is defined as taking time off in secret while making it appear as though you are working. It involves taking time off without formally notifying the employer, often by minimizing work-related activities or using methods or tools that make the worker appear engaged. Instead of fully disconnecting, employees ...
0 comments

Avoiding the High Cost of Discrimination: Steps Every Employer Should Take Now

By Valorie Waldon posted 27 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Any employer, regardless of size, reputation, or industry, can find itself embroiled in a claim of illegal discrimination. The headlines have been abuzz with news of high-profile organizations receiving substantial jury awards arising from employee complaints alleging discriminatory behavior. Such findings often have significant ...
0 comments

Employee Well-Being as a Strategic Priority

By Ruth Rusongoza posted 12-10-2025
Be the first person to recommend this.
Have you ever felt fatigued at work and wondered whether the stress was justified? When employees experience undue stress, their well-being and job performance are negatively impacted. Employee well-being is not a luxury, but a vital component of a productive and healthy workplace. Employee well-being refers to the overall state ...
0 comments

Mindfulness and Well-being for the Holidays

By Megan Johnson posted 12-03-2025
Be the first person to recommend this.
The holiday season brings a unique paradox to the workplace. While it’s meant to be a time of joy and celebration, it often becomes one of the most stressful periods of the year. For managers, the pressure intensifies as you balance year-end deadlines, team dynamics, budget constraints, and your own personal obligations. Practicing ...
0 comments

Three Ways Emotional Intelligence Can Help Prevent Workplace Burnout

By Mark Castillo posted 12-03-2025
Be the first person to recommend this.
Employee burnout has become a significant workplace challenge, characterized by stress, disengagement, and exhaustion. Burnout often leads to reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, and a host of other problems for employers, as detailed in this Employers Council article. A powerful tool for addressing this challenge ...
0 comments

Respect in Action: 3 Everyday Practices That Build a Better Workplace

By Wayne D'Antoni posted 11-19-2025
Be the first person to recommend this.
In these turbulent times, which feel like an increase in social unrest, it can be challenging to remember the importance of treating others with respect. This is equally true of our relationships with colleagues in our organizations. With many employers facing staffing shortages that can lead to increased workloads and a ...
0 comments

Pay Reductions: Legal and Practical Considerations

By Employers Council Staff posted 11-12-2025
Be the first person to recommend this.
In today’s business landscape, some employers are faced with difficult decisions relating to how to keep the business running and keep their workforce. Employers may be considering decreasing employees’ pay instead of reducing their workforce through a layoff. While decreasing an employee’s pay is permissible, there are some ...
0 comments

Holiday Party Legal Issues for Employers

By Jennifer Vold posted 11-12-2025
Be the first person to recommend this.
This is a reprint of our annual reminders about holiday celebrations: The holidays are just around the corner, and that means it’s time for HR to plan the holiday party. While the fun committee may be thinking about food, decorations, and sparkle, the lawyers are thinking about employee complaints, insurance claims, and ...
0 comments

The Importance of Year End Audits

By Mark Sikorski posted 11-03-2025
Be the first person to recommend this.
With year-end quickly approaching, organizations should consider conducting year-end HR and payroll audits to address any issues before the start of the new year. Thorough audits support accuracy and ensure compliance with applicable regulations, internal policies, and procedures. According to Wells Insurance, this is also ...
0 comments

FMLA Can Be an Inherited Compliance Issue – Successor Employers Beware

By Desiree Sullivan posted 10-29-2025
Be the first person to recommend this.
Employers who have merged with or acquired another business should conduct an audit of their newly acquired employees. That is because FMLA provides these new employees with continued protections if their new employer meets the definition of a “successor in interest”. Therefore, it is highly recommended when acquiring new employees ...
0 comments

Are You a California Employer Without Realizing It? How One Remote Employee Can Change Everything

By Brittanie Young posted 10-23-2025
1 person recommends this.
As remote work continues to expand across state lines, many employers are surprised to learn that just one remote employee in California can increase organizational risk under California’s strict employment laws. It doesn’t matter where your company's headquarters or HR team is located. What matters is where the employee ...
0 comments

Employers Beware: NEW HR Horrors to Avoid

By James McDonough posted 10-22-2025
Be the first person to recommend this.
For Halloween in 2024, we took a light-hearted approach to common HR challenges in this article. This year, we found more ways to use your membership benefits to ward off spooky new HR Horrors! Brain transplantation: Using AI at work can be a real time saver, and it is tempting to simply accept what it provides and move ...
0 comments

Why You Should Have a Reasonable Suspicion Plan in Place

By Employers Council Staff posted 10-22-2025
Be the first person to recommend this.
When developing your risk mitigation strategy and drug testing policy, include these two essential components: a formal reasonable suspicion policy , also known as for-cause drug testing, in your employee handbook or as a standalone document; an operational guide for frontline supervisors and HR team members. Many organizations ...
0 comments

Controlling Benefit Costs Through Strategic Planning

By Kirsten Ellis posted 10-08-2025
Be the first person to recommend this.
Managing employee health benefits has become increasingly challenging over the years. Benefit surveys from both AON and Mercer project an average increase of 9-10% in the cost of healthcare for employer-based plans. Anecdotally, some employers are reporting increases of 20% or more. Healthcare costs are rising at unprecedented ...
0 comments

Who You Gonna Call? The Ins and Outs of Choosing a Workplace Investigator

By Julia Paris posted 09-30-2025
Be the first person to recommend this.
Workplace investigations are a crucial part of Human Resources. When complaints or conflicts arise, investigations are essential to addressing these issues and determining next steps. The need for a workplace investigation is both legal and practical. Workplace investigations allow employees to be heard, make it clear ...
0 comments

The PTO Dilemma: Separate or Combined?

By Brandy Walker posted 09-30-2025
Be the first person to recommend this.
Paid time off benefits can be a powerful component in an organization’s total rewards package. Offering paid sick leave and vacation benefits helps employers compete in the talent market, while also increasing wellness and decreasing burnout. However, they can be a compliance headache if not administered in accordance with state ...
0 comments

No Dues Increase for 2026 – Continuing Value You Can Count On

By Glenn Pelster posted 09-29-2025
Be the first person to recommend this.
Employers Council: Driving Strategic Value in Your 2026 Budget As you begin planning for 2026, Employers Council is here to ensure that you have the support you need to build a smart, strategic budget. We understand that budgeting is not merely a numbers exercise – it also requires us to align our resources with our goals, ...
0 comments