Now that I have your attention, let’s focus in on the real gist of this blog – sexual orientation and gender identity.

So, there is an entire language that employers should be acquainted with on this topic. And, while there is no true case law (as of this writing,) the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) considers each of these as falling under the protected class of “gender.” Which means, we need to ensure that our employees understand our position on the topic. (REGARDLESS of your personal belief on this topic, as an employer you have a DUTY to be respectful of any/all protected classes.) Continue reading →

Ahh, love is in the air – ain’t it great! Not so much when it comes to work.

We are frequently called upon to address the question of workplace relationships. I mean, come on, we spend at least 8 hours a day with these people – where else are you going to meet people that have similar likes and dislikes? I LOVE this adage: “Don’t get your honey where you get your money!”  NSFW reference (I met mine in graduate school, so he calls us college sweethearts!)

While I don’t go to the extent of recommending a “no fraternization” policy (because then I’d have to practice that, and I LIKE the people I work with,) I do HIGHLY recommend employers discourage workplace romances. Continue reading →

For most of us, our workplace is our community. We see our coworkers more than we see friends and family because we’re they’re every day. That means it’s important to treat each other with respect and kindness, to establish a collaborative and productive work environment. When someone experiences harassment at work, it not only hurts the victim but also damages the environment that’s been built by others. One bad seed can easily sour the mood at work; productivity can take a nosedive, and your place of employment can turn into a hostile work environment.

There are actually multiple forms of harassment someone could be subjected to. Knowing how harassment happens can make us better at spotting similar behaviors around us so that we can speak up for the victims and maintain our workplace experience. Continue reading →

While it’s likely been years since most of us were in high school, there’s one thing that even adult employees face today that harkens back to their school-age days: bullying. No one is getting into fistfights in the parking lot (hopefully) or pulling hair, but that’s because workplace bullying is subtler in nature. It’s psychological and verbal bullying that today’s workforce must contend with.

It may not be outright illegal, but it’s counterproductive and an extremely poor way to treat people you work with. Continue reading →

The workplace is often full of parents, new and seasoned, so when the school year starts, it’s not uncommon to see flyers or emails asking others to support a sports team, school trip, or club with the purchase of some food or snack item. Fundraisers and the like are simple part and parcel with having kids, and even if you don’t have any, you’ve probably been asked if you want to buy stuff from the parents you work with.

It’s kind of unavoidable. Continue reading →

This country has seen its share of hardships over the past year, with two of the most recent ones being Hurricane Harvey and the Charlottesville Riots. We can’t avoid talking about them or hearing about them. Even if you aren’t in Houston or weren’t in Charlottesville, VA, maybe the cause affected you in other ways; or you know someone who was personally and immediately affected by the events. Either way, these are topics of conversation that are dramatically influencing how we as citizens—as human beings—act in the face of adversity, and how we come to the aid of those who need it most. Continue reading →

As an employer, it can be difficult to strike a balance between being compassionate when it comes to providing employees with time off and maintaining a profitable business. At least it can seem that way. There are ample regulations and laws in place to help businesses know when to grant employees fair access to leave, both paid and unpaid, but there are some situations where things get a bit fuzzy. Continue reading →

If the phrase “please, keep your shirt on” has ever been uttered at one of the company holiday parties, then someone wasn’t practicing proper business etiquette. Continue reading →

Polite people do not talk about pay, religion or politics! Well, the National Labor Relations Act begs to differ with Mom and says that employees MAY talk about pay – it’s a protected, concerted activity (wages, terms and conditions of employment.) So, sorry Mom, you lose this argument!

Continue reading →