Training

10 low-cost communication tips to start open enrollment right

09/23/2024

With benefits election open-enrollment season looming at organizations across the country, make sure you avoid the mistake too many employers make: plopping a benefits booklet in front of employees and telling them to figure it out. That just doesn’t work anymore. Benefits have become too complex for employees to figure them out on their own. Here are 10 ways you can do a better job of communicating with your employees.

Counter refusal to participate in diversity training

08/30/2024

Recently, we have seen an increase in lawsuits from workers who believe that being forced to participate in any kind of diversity training violates their Title VII rights. Now a federal appeals court has tossed out one such case. The court concluded that the worker’s refusal was unreasonable and his claims meritless.

Microlearning: A powerful tool for developing your team

08/02/2024

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, continuous skills development is no longer optional—it’s essential for survival and success. As a manager, part of your job is fostering this growth and change, but traditional training methods may not always yield the desired results. Enter microlearning—a flexible, bite-sized approach to workplace training that could revolutionize how you develop your team’s skills and knowledge.

Courts entertain First Amendment claims defending DEI

04/29/2024

Since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions last year, legislators in 30 states have introduced bills seeking to ban or limit employer-sponsored diversity, equity and inclusion programs. But two recent cases show that employers are fighting back by asserting their First Amendment right to free expression.

Dread hiring members of Gen Z? Offer training to overcome their shortcomings

02/26/2024

Kids these days! According to a new survey by ResumeBuilder.com, three in 10 hiring managers say they try to avoid hiring Generation Z candidates. If Gen Z comes into the workforce lacking the necessary attitudes, aptitudes and skills, then employers will have to train them how to succeed at work.

How assertive are you? 18 questions test your ability to be positively persuasive

02/16/2024

Giving employees critical feedback, negotiating with vendors, sticking up for your people (or your budget)—they’re all communications situations that require a certain amount of assertiveness. These 18 questions can help you pinpoint areas of weakness in your ability to express yourself. Use your results to figure out where you can improve.

Committed to DEI? Here’s how to make it work

02/05/2024

While diversity, equity and inclusion programs have recently come under fire, the Littler Mendelson law firm’s just-released Inclusion, Equity and Diversity C-Suite Survey Report found that most employers remain committed to DEI initiatives. Here are several ways you can leverage DEI to improve organizational performance.

How to properly train a new employee

01/24/2024

Good training doesn’t just happen. It’s the result of careful preparation and a well-developed supervisory system.

Follow EEOC’s recipe for anti-harassment training

01/22/2024

Employers in industries such as hospitality and retail often promote rank-and-file workers to supervisory roles. That may mean that front-line supervisors may not have had the formal training required for their new jobs. That means it’s up to HR to ensure new bosses understand all their responsibilities, including how to handle discrimination and harassment they witness. A recent EEOC lawsuit offers lessons on how to deliver that training.

Want to retain your employees? Offer training

01/12/2024

If you ask a departing subordinate why she’s jumping ship, it’s likely the answer will include better pay and benefits and a lack of opportunity for advancement. You can’t do much about pay and benefits, but you can leverage the training programs you already have in place to prevent subordinates from looking for a new job in the first place.