Giving Thanks in the Workplace

Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday for many individuals. The majority of employers close their business on the fourth Thursday of November each year to allow their employees a chance to spend quality time with their families. A time of year to remember what we are thankful for, Thanksgiving doesn’t only have to be celebrated at home with friends and family members. Thanksgiving in the workplace can be a powerful tool when employers use this holiday as an opportunity to express gratitude towards their employees. Building loyalty, helping with retention, and ensuring productivity, consider using this Thanksgiving holiday as an outlet to let your employees know how thankful you are to have them. (more…)

Winter is Coming: Inclement Weather Policies

Winter is coming.

And with it, inclement weather. Most employers have an Inclement Weather Policy in place for when the elements make traveling conditions unsafe. Poorly constructed policies could sour the relationship between employer and employee: If an employee is called in when the conditions are bad, they could harbor resentment for their employer. Likewise, if an employee is taking advantage of a weak policy with the threat of a few flurries, it could easily upset an employer.

While there is no way for a Policy to cover every possible emergency weather situation, here are some suggestions on how to streamline your Inclement Weather Policies in order to keep your employees well-informed and prepared in the event of unsafe weather.

(more…)

Supporting Veterans in the Workplace

Every November, the United States sets aside one day to honor those individuals who have served and who continue to serve our nation. An end to hostilities took place between Germany and the Allied Powers on the 11th hour of November 11th in 1918, marking the end of WWI combat. In 1919, Woodrow Wilson marked November 11th the first Armistice, with the intention to recognize the day that the fighting ended. In 1938, Congress approved an act to make November 11th a legal holiday to honor the veterans of WWI. After WWII, Congress amended the act of 1938, changing the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day, a day to celebrate peace and honor veterans of all wars.  (more…)

Nuts-and-Bolts: Politics of Politics in the Workplace

Election Day is upon us, and so are the political discussions. Along with religion, sex, and money, politics is one of the most controversial topics that exists in our culture. While few employers actually prohibit political discussion in the workplace, inappropriate or heated exchanges that get out of hand can be disciplined, even to the point of termination. In light of November 4th, it’s important to understand the etiquette of political discussions in the workplace. (more…)