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Open Enrollment: What Employees Need From You
Benefits may be one of your largest expenses outside of payroll. Open enrollment is one of the few times employees actively engage with that investment. Most employees aren't focused on renewal costs, carrier negotiations, or plan design. They want answers to a few simple questions: What's changing? Will it cost more? Do I need to do anything? When is the deadline? Who can help if I have questions? Make the Message Easy to Understand Many benefits communications are filled wi
9 hours ago2 min read
Can I Drug Test an Employee in California?
An employee appears impaired at work. There has been a workplace accident. A manager wants to start random drug testing. Can you require a drug test? In California, the answer depends on the circumstances. Employers may have legitimate workplace safety concerns, but employees also have privacy protections. Before requiring a current employee to test, you need a valid reason and a process for handling the situation. Reasonable Suspicion Testing Reasonable suspicion is one of t
Sep 232 min read
The Difference Between Being Nice and Being Clear
There are moments in leadership when you have to balance two priorities that may sometimes feel at odds with one another: caring about your employees and communicating expectations clearly. Many employers worry that direct feedback will damage relationships or negatively impact morale. In reality, employees often appreciate knowing where they stand. Clarity eliminates guesswork and creates an opportunity for improvement. The difference is often found in how the conversation h
Jul 292 min read
The Everyday Decisions That Retain Top Talent
If you have employees you would be disappointed to lose, it is worth asking yourself a simple question: What are you doing to keep them engaged before they begin considering other opportunities? Compensation matters, but it is rarely the only reason high performers stay. Many times, employees disengage when they no longer feel challenged, valued, or connected to their future within your organization. The good news is that engagement is not something you have to leave to chanc
Jul 222 min read
The Hidden Costs of Avoiding Employee Conversations
"We'll deal with it next week." Many employers have said it at one point. There is a difficult conversation that needs to happen, a performance concern that needs to be addressed, or an employee complaint that requires follow-up. The intention is not to ignore the issue. There just never seems to be a perfect time to address it. The challenge is that employee issues rarely improve simply because time has passed. When concerns go unaddressed, the cost is often greater than emp
Jul 152 min read
Mid-Year Check In: What Has Changed Since January?
It is hard to believe we are already halfway through the year. For many employers, January starts with goals, plans, budgets, and priorities. By July, however, things often look a little different. Know Your Rights Requirement By February 1, employers were required to provide employees with an annual written notice regarding certain workplace rights. Now is a good opportunity to confirm the notice was distributed to existing employees and incorporated into your onboarding pro
Jul 82 min read
Preparing for Summer Time Off
As summer gets into full swing, vacation requests, long weekends, and family trips start filling the calendar. While managing employee absences can sometimes feel challenging, a little planning can go a long way. One of the best things you can do is encourage employees to submit requests early. The more visibility you have into upcoming time off, the easier it becomes to manage schedules, identify coverage needs, and avoid last-minute surprises. Summer is also a good reminder
Jul 11 min read
Navigating the Shift From Peer to Manager
In our recent blog about supporting new managers during their first 90 days, we touched on the transition from coworker to manager. That shift is often one of the hardest parts of stepping into leadership. While promoting from within may feel like a natural next step, employers often underestimate how challenging the transition from peer to manager can be. Workplace dynamics can change quickly. A manager who was once part of the group is now responsible for accountability, pe
Jun 242 min read
Supporting New Managers During Their First 90 Days
Starting a new management role can come with a learning curve for both the manager and the team. New managers feel pressure to immediately prove themselves, make changes quickly, or have all the answers. In reality, the most effective new leaders typically focus on learning, building trust, and creating consistency. One of the most important things a new manager can do is establish clear communication early. Employees want to understand expectations, priorities, and how their
Jun 171 min read
How Role Clarity Improves Employee Performance
When performance concerns arise, it is natural to focus on the employee. Are they meeting expectations? Are they following through? But before moving too quickly in that direction, it is worth taking a step back and asking a different question. Have expectations actually been defined in a way that sets them up to succeed? When roles are not clearly defined, performance issues are often a symptom rather than the root cause. Employees cannot consistently meet expectations that
Jun 102 min read
What Employers Should Review During National Safety Month
National Safety Month is a good opportunity to step back and review your workplace safety practices before small issues become larger problems. Many employers focus on obvious safety concerns, but some of the most common gaps are tied to consistency, communication, and follow through. Policies and procedures are often a good place to start. Your safety programs should reflect current operations, equipment, job duties, and reporting processes. Over time, workplace practices ca
Jun 32 min read
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