Communication

It’s up to HR to foster workplace civility

12/03/2020

American society is as polarized as it has been in decades. We have just completed a bitterly divisive election. Public discourse and even private conversations are angry. That same coarseness can permeate the workplace unless employers intervene. But employers must be careful not to chill protected speech when they try to enforce civility.

Scuttlebutt may hold bits of truth

11/25/2020

Here’s a common situation: An employee informs you of a co-worker’s faults or misdeeds. Although most of the tale sounds like gossip, some details sound as though they could be true. Certainly you don’t want to support gossip, but you have to get at the truth. Try this approach.

Ensure remote work policy addresses tech

10/22/2020

About one in five employees works from home these days. Yet, too few employers have an effective telecommuting policy that addresses the technology issues that arise when employees use laptops and cell phones to work from home.

Managing pre- and post-election angst: 7 tips for HR

10/15/2020

Political discussions will happen among co-workers, just as they happen among families and friends. Thus, instead of trying to stop them, employers should be promoting ground rules that hold employees accountable for their behavior, focused around one key theme … civility.

How to manage grieving staff: Compassion, not silence

08/27/2020

It’s tempting for supervisors to take a hands-off approach to an employee’s grief. However, silently waiting for the employee’s emotional recovery and viewing grief as a “problem to be solved” isn’t the right strategy.

Get staff to own your plan

08/26/2020

You’ve probably found yourself in this predicament: You have what you think is a good plan to achieve a goal or solve a problem. How can you cross the ownership gap between “the boss’s idea” and “our plan”?

Conduct a solid employee survey

07/22/2020

Employee surveys that help you understand your employees better can help you manage them more effectively. But you need to approach them carefully. Keep these suggestions in mind.

Employee tests positive? How to notify staff

07/16/2020

Millions of Americans have tested positive for the coronavirus, so odds are that one or more of your employees will test positive in the coming months. But there is a smart (and legal) way to communicate this news to your employees.

How to manage remote teams

07/14/2020

Amy Leschke-Kahle, VP of Performance Acceleration at The Marcus Buckingham Company—an ADP company—and a keynote speaker at the American Payroll Association’s recent virtual Congress, provided attendees with some advice on engaging employees who work remotely.

Be smooth when altering a decision

06/24/2020

Be careful to take employees’ reactions into consideration when announcing your change of course. Here’s how to switch gears smoothly.