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Category: HR Life and Wellness

Navigating an HR Department of One

Last Updated on March 26, 2025 Managing human resources as a single individual can be challenging, but it is possible to build an effective HR strategy even without a team- this is true for both small and larger-sized companies. While a solo HR professional faces distinct challenges compared to a larger HR department, there are […]

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Employer Tips For Preventing Sexual Harassment Claims

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), employers have a duty to investigate sexual harassment complaints and must take actions to prevent the recurrence of such offensive conduct in their workplace. In addition to these actions, an employer should have a sexual harassment policy in place outlining the company’s intolerance for sexual harassment.

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Employee Handbooks vs. Policies

Last Updated on August 20, 2024 What Is The Difference Between Employee Handbooks And Policies And Procedures Manuals? An employee handbook is written with employees as the intended audience. It is most often written using a straightforward layout for easy referencing of company policies and procedures and is a vehicle for familiarizing employees with basic […]

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Gen Z Is Making Noise In The Workplace

Last Updated on April 25, 2023 A Younger Generation Brings Challenges In Engagement Managers and HR professionals have probably heard of the engagement issues alleged to have infected Millennials and Generation Z in the workplace, as manifested in terms like “quiet quitting.” Of course, workers in any age group can and certainly do engage in […]

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Employers Prepare for End of COVID-19 Emergency Status

As employers have anticipated the May 2023 end of the two federal COVID-19 emergency orders, they have some important new clarity on test and vaccine coverage and on how to unwind COVID-19–era extended deadlines, including for COBRA continuing healthcare coverage elections.

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HR Priorities for 2023

Learn more about three top priorities for Human Resources in 2023: Employee Well-Being, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and remote work flexibility.

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Is Long Covid-19 Still Affecting The Workplace?

Last Updated on September 18, 2022 Long COVID-19 Is Keeping Up to 4 Million Workers Out of Labor Market Long COVID-19—long-term effects stemming from COVID-19 infection—continues to impact the labor market and the health of employees. The U.S. Census Bureau’s June to July 2022 Household Pulse Survey found that 16.3 million working-age Americans currently have […]

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Are HR Compliance Requirements Increasing For Your Business? Work Smarter.

Last Updated on August 28, 2022 According to Ernst & Young’s Global Payroll Survey, keeping up with regulatory compliance changes was identified as the second-highest compliance challenge. But as your business grows, those compliance concerns you have today don’t go away — most often, they will multiply. Some of the biggest areas employers lose sight of as […]

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How Employers Can Build Strength With DEI Initiatives In The Workplace.

Last Updated on August 1, 2022 Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Are “Buzzing” Around The Workplace. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is a lot more than the newest buzzword in HR. It’s a critical element to success these days. Calls for diverse and inclusive workplaces are now becoming more common in many organizations due to major […]

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DHS Proposed Rule Would Amend Section 1557 Sex Discrimination Regulations

Last Updated on July 27, 2022 On July 25, 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule that would revise existing regulations for the Section 1557 nondiscrimination protections under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The proposed rule is intended to solidify protections against discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual orientation […]

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Early Preparation Is Crucial For 2023 Open Enrollment

Last Updated on July 22, 2022 Early open enrollment prep can be an opportunity for retention by putting employee needs first. The job market is still dealing with the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Workers are taking stock of their circumstances and considering which employment perks matter the most. Specifically, employees are increasingly more concerned […]

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Things to Know When Hiring In Other States

Last Updated on November 3, 2023 Hiring Across State Lines Means Multi-State Compliance These days as an employer, hiring looks different. The world is your oyster, meaning the recruitment pool is nationwide. We are no longer limited by location to find the talent that can help our business to become more successful. However, hiring in […]

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Virtual 1-9 Employment Verification Possible

Last Updated on July 6, 2022 DHS to Propose Permanent Remote Form I-9 Verification Rule The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced it plans to issue a proposed rule that would allow employers to verify employee identity and employment eligibility documentation virtually “in certain circumstances or with respect to certain employers” when completing Form […]

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Retain And Attract Talent By Providing A Culture Of Learning

Last Updated on July 5, 2022 Every business and HR pro knows that the competition for top talent is tough. We’ve discovered a strategy that helps the whole employee, mentally and also professionally. We’ve discovered something that will make employees really want to stay long-term. People want to work for companies that are invested in […]

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Post-Covid Long-term Effects Puts A Spotlight On Employee Wellness

Last Updated on June 27, 2022 While we recognize that COVID case numbers are down, researchers are just now to find out what COVID’s long-term mental health effects will be.  Though this is information that will continue to change within our working landscape, employee well-being is more important than ever and we can address some areas right […]

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The Top HR Issues In The World of Remote Hiring!

Last Updated on November 3, 2023 Hiring Remotely Can Solve Major Staffing Problems If You Maintain These Practices For Compliance With labor shortages, quitting and re-hiring issues, is remote hiring the answer? We know that as the landscape continues to change: Almost 60% of employees prefer a hybrid work model, and a third prefer exclusively […]

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ACA Sets Due Date Of Aug 1,2022 For PCORI Fees

Last Updated on June 3, 2022 PCORI Fees Due Aug. 1, 2022 The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health insurance issuers and self-insured plan sponsors to pay Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute fees (PCORI fees). The fees are reported and paid annually using IRS Form 720 (Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return). Issuers and plan sponsors are generally required […]

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Hiring “For Keeps” In This Healthcare Shortage

Last Updated on May 27, 2022 How Do We Solve This Healthcare Shortage With Our Next Hire? Read how your business can avoid more turnover at a time of need. As U.S. hospitals and clinics deal with more patients, both COVID-19 and non-COVID, many are facing staffing shortages. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the ongoing shortage of […]

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COVID-19 National Emergency Extended, Deadline Relief Continues

Last Updated on March 22, 2022 On Feb. 18, 2022, President Biden announced an extension of the National Emergency concerning COVID-19, stating that it must continue in effect beyond March 1, 2022. This extension impacts deadline relief related to the following employee benefit plan deadlines: HIPAA time frames—The 30-day period (or 60-day period, if applicable) […]

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Don’t Be Late. Extended 2022 ACA Deadline To Keep In Mind

Last Updated on January 4, 2022 Update, January, 2022 – The deadline for ACA reporting forms to employers has been extended but with all of the busy new year HR tasks, it will be important to keep this deadline on your radar. Late or inaccurate forms could lead the IRS to notify an employer that it […]

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CDC Recommends Shorter COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine

Last Updated on December 29, 2021 On Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reduced its recommended periods for COVID-19 isolation (confirmed COVID-19 infection) and quarantine (potential COVID-19 exposure).  Asymptomatic individuals infected with COVID-19 have been told to isolate for five days from the day they test positive—down from the original 10. […]

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COVID Variant Omicron Causes Serious Concern for Employers

A new variant of coronavirus initially detected in South Africa is prompting renewed concern regarding the pandemic. On Nov. 26, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) named the new variant “Omicron.” Omicron was labeled a “variant of concern,” the agency’s most serious category for tracking. Such a designation is reserved for dangerous variants that may be more transmissible or virulent or could decrease the effectiveness of vaccines or treatments.

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It’s Worth It. Why An SMB Should Outsource HR Tasks.

Last Updated on November 3, 2023 Work Smarter By Outsourcing HR Tasks Even if you have an HR professional(s) on staff, it is smart to outsource HR tasks to supplement your internal HR team. Laws and policies are changing more often than ever, due to recent current events, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The risk of […]

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Update: The Court Speaks, Maintains Block on Biden Vaccine Mandate

Last Updated on November 15, 2021 The Latest Update Confirms That President Biden’s ETS Will Remain Blocked On Friday, November 12, 2021, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked President Joe Biden’s coronavirus vaccine mandate in a ruling. The three-judge panel for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans affirmed its initial stay […]

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Podcast: Part 2 OSHA ETS, Does This Affect You?

Last Updated on November 5, 2021 Part 2 of our Join Chris Cooley as he breaks down how to determine if you meet the 100 employee threshold for the OSHA ETS Vaccination Mandate. We also discuss part-time, contract, seasonal employees, and more…

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Are Your Background Checks FCRA Truly Compliant? A Helpful Overview.

Last Updated on November 3, 2021 FCRA Compliance for Employers Using Consumer Background Checks As the end of the year comes to a close, many businesses will be running their annual background checks. This overview will outline the steps an employer must take to comply with the FCRA. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is […]

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2021 ACA Violations & Penalties For Employers

Last Updated on January 13, 2022 Failing to comply with the ACA’s requirements can cause severe consequences for an employer. This ACA Overview (PDF) summarizes the penalties and excise taxes that may be triggered by an ACA violation. Click the document below to enlarge and print.

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How At-Home COVID-19 Tests May Help The Employer.

Last Updated on October 11, 2021  FDA Authorizes New At-home Rapid Test for COVID-19 As an employer, within the workplace, we want to do all we can to prevent the spread or exposure from COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new over-the-counter COVID-19 antigen test—the Flowflex COVID-19 Home Test from ACON Laboratories—to […]

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2022 Open Enrollment Checklist

Last Updated on May 11, 2022 In addition, any changes to a health plan’s benefits for the 2022 plan year should be communicated to plan participants through an updated summary plan description (SPD) or a summary of material modifications (SMM). Health plan sponsors should also confirm that their open enrollment materials contain certain required participant […]

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Surcharges For Nonvaccinated Individuals – Things To Consider

Last Updated on September 20, 2021 On Aug. 23, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (now marketed as Comirnaty) for individuals 16 years of age and older. As a result, many employers are exploring options related to COVID-19 vaccination status within their workforce, including whether to […]

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Podcast: It’s Not Over… Long-Haul Covid-19 Symptoms May Affect The Workplace

Introducing Long-Haul Covid. In this episode learn how this has been affecting the workplace. Did you know employees that have lingering COVID symptoms after testing negative can be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act? Join Chris as he talks with John Yerger of MyHRConcierge about what employers should do when employees have these lingering symptoms.

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Delta Variant Affect On Return-to-Work Mask Policies

Last Updated on August 16, 2021 With a growing percentage of the United States population fully vaccinated against COVID-19, many localities and, in turn, employers, have eased mask mandates and policies. However, due to the spread of an emerging variant of coronavirus known as Delta, these policies may still need updating, as the Centers for […]

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Does Your Business Need Guidance About A Vaccination Policy?

While many are still undecided about being vaccinated, numbers for the COVID-19 Delta Variant are continuing to rise. As an employer, should there be a vaccination policy in your employee handbook? This article aims to clarify that whether an employer requires vaccines or makes them voluntary, including it as a clear policy within your handbook could save you great risk.

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Different Industries Will Have Different Screening Needs. Here’s The Scoop.

Last Updated on December 3, 2021 The transportation, distribution, manufacturing, and healthcare industries all have different employment needs, and balancing the demand for new hires and safety for these various industries is something companies are challenged by. With the influx of employee hiring in these industries in these post-pandemic times, the need for qualified and […]

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The Wake Of The Covid Pandemic Continues To Shake Up Hiring For SMBs

Last Updated on July 12, 2021   As many Small Businesses (SMBs) re-open following the shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the struggle continues due to the lack of workers to fill positions. A March survey by the National Federation of Independent Business found that 42% of owners had job openings that could not be filled, a […]

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Protecting HR Teams From Burnout

Last Updated on July 12, 2021 Burnout is a commonly discussed issue these days—particularly while many workforces are still working from home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Being isolated, stressed and overworked puts employees in a difficult position and can lead to increased burnout. Oftentimes, it’s HR’s responsibility to help employees cope with burnout and its […]

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The Wake Of The Covid Pandemic Continues To Shake Up SMBs As They Re-hire.

Last Updated on July 9, 2021   Challenges To Re-Staff Businesses Post-pandemic Continue As many Small Businesses (SMBs) re-open following the shut downs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the struggle continues due to the lack of workers to fill positions. A March survey by the National Federation of Independent Business found that 42% of owners had job […]

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What Employers Should Consider When Moving to a Hybrid Work Model

Last Updated on January 13, 2022 The pandemic has resulted in thousands of employees working from their kitchen tables or living rooms instead of the workplace. However, as more Americans receive a COVID-19 vaccination and organizations develop or update their return-to-work plans, some employees may still be eager to continue working remotely even if just […]

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Preventing A Post-Covid “Turnover Tsunami”

Last Updated on June 28, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic is finally getting under control. As more Americans get vaccinated, states are gradually lifting restrictions, and life is returning to pre-pandemic normalcy. Finally, individuals can get to the tasks they’ve been postponing for more than a year. Unfortunately for employers looking to retain employees, some employees […]

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He Said, She Said, We Said… Gender Sensitivity In The Workplace

Our workplace continues to change, with diversity and inclusivity in the forefront. One element of diversity, equity and inclusivity (DEI) is gender identity and acknowledgement of an employee’s preferred pronouns. More employees are entering the workplace with gender identities and expressions that are different than what we may expect when we discuss gender, creating a need for more understanding.

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EEOC Announces New Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Employment Resources

Last Updated on June 16, 2021 June 16, 2021 – The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced the release of new employment resources intended to educate employees, applicants and employers on the rights of all employees—including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers—to be free from sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in employment. These […]

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Handling the Influx of Remote Work Requests

As the decision is made for employees to come back to the office, employees may begin to have remote work requests. Likewise, companies may be more accepting of those requests than prior to the pandemic. Some companies could even make their entire operations remote as a new way to manage facility costs.

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Best Practices and Monitoring Remote Workflow

Last Updated on June 8, 2021 Monitoring Remote Workers Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, more employees are working remotely than ever before. And, even as businesses begin to reopen across the country, remote work will likely remain popular for the foreseeable future. While remote work arrangements help keep employees healthy and safe in the […]

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​Hiring After COVID-19 Shutdown Still Remains A Challenge

Last Updated on June 2, 2021 The Status Of Unemployment Benefits Is Changing The Hiring Forecast There continues to be an increase in the number of states planning to end enhanced unemployment benefits, which were made available due to the pandemic. So where does this all stand? We hope to shed some light on the […]

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HHS Announces New Interpretation of Section 1557 Sex Discrimination

Last Updated on May 20, 2021 On May 10, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a notice announcing that, effective immediately, it will now interpret and enforce the prohibitions on discrimination based on sex under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to include: Discrimination on the basis of sexual […]

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Hiring Frenzy Post Pandemic

Last Updated on May 24, 2021 Don’t Let The Rush To Staff Up Affect The Quality Of Your Next Hire. The Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the workplace and now we are seeing an influx in job needs and hiring. What will this look like for this next season of reopening? It is unsure. We […]

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Mental Health Awareness Month of May

Last Updated on May 5, 2021 May is Mental Health Awareness month and a good month to reflect on the needs of our employees from a mental standpoint. The past year has been hard on us in many ways, but it is important to acknowledge the challenge that the COVID-19 pandemic has posed on us […]

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Post-Pandemic HR Fatigue Is Setting In

Burnout is a commonly discussed issue these days—particularly while many workforces are still working from home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Being isolated, stressed and overworked puts employees in a difficult position and can lead to increased burnout. Oftentimes, its HR’s responsibility to help employees cope with burnout and its contributing factors.

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Employee Harrassment Should Be Taken Seriously

Last Updated on January 13, 2022 EEOC Harassment Findings and Recommendations for Employers According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), harassment is a form of employment discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Harassment is unwelcome conduct […]

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More Employers Consider Vaccine Policies

Last Updated on April 21, 2021 As U.S. vaccination numbers rise,employers consider vaccination policies The vaccine effort in the United States has ramped up nicely. Recently we have seen dispersion as high as 2.5 million a day. The federal government will send out 27 million doses of vaccine soon — so the challenges of vaccination are going to […]

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Employees May Resist In-Office Work Transition

Last Updated on January 13, 2022 Managers may be running into a common problem as employers advance their reopening plans: employees resisting transitioning back to working in an office full-time. Before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the merits and pitfalls of working remotely were often debated. As states went into lockdown to help stop the spread […]

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2021 Employee Wellness Trends To Watch

Last Updated on April 29, 2021 Recovering From 2020 in the Workplace After a year that was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic, many aspects of the workplace have changed, including employer-sponsored wellness programs. Prior to the pandemic, employers were already making a shift to the way they viewed and implemented wellness initiatives at […]

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CDC Guidance For Vaccinated People.

Last Updated on March 8, 2021 CDC Issues Long-awaited Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new guidance for people who have been fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine. Such individuals have been given the go-ahead to resume many activities that have been on hold since the […]

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5 HR Trends to Monitor in 2021

Last Updated on January 13, 2021 The Landscape Of HR Looks Different COVID-19 affected nearly every workplace function last year, and that influence will linger into 2021 and beyond. We are seeing that entire departments are being reimagined and reevaluated. Businesses will need to continually adapt quickly if they want to compete in this innovative […]

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This 2020 HR Checklist Helps End The Year In Compliance

Last Updated on November 8, 2023 See our updated HR Checklist HERE. Out with 2020, in with the new year. In many ways, the final weeks of the year can be a little less demanding for most employees—a season of office parties, celebratory staff lunches, and vacation time. However, it’s one of the busiest periods […]

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California Anti-Harassment Training Deadline for 2021

Many employers put off the training in early 2020, due to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders and hoped by summer they could reschedule. Because in-person training continues to be difficult, many employers thought the governor might further extend the deadline. This is not the case. The deadline still stands, steadfast as January 1, 2021.

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Time Tracking in the Time of COVID-19

Keeping track of employee productivity has always been important, but it’s even more significant in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the majority of employers allowing remote work, accurate time tracking isn’t always a guarantee.

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Growing Tired of The Pandemic

Last Updated on September 23, 2020 Combating Pandemic Fatigue An unintentional phenomenon is on the rise—pandemic fatigue. Many people are tired of staying at home and want to be the social creatures they inherently are. In short, a lot of people want their “normal” back. Pandemic fatigue occurs when people show low motivation or energy […]

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Recruiting and screening have gone virtual during COVID-19.  

Last Updated on August 31, 2020 Are the days of face to face interviews gone? So much has changed in the job market since COVID-19 arrived. In the area of recruiting, both recruiters and candidates have been forced to adapt to virtual platforms for interviewing, and even going through the complete hiring process from home. […]

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Fostering Inclusivity at Work Post-Coronavirus

Last Updated on October 9, 2020 Diversity and inclusion in the workplace are not new concepts. However, as the threat of COVID-19 shifts, it’s important for businesses to not simply have a plan, but fully embrace those concepts. People have gained new and varied perspectives while living through and preparing to emerge from the pandemic. […]

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The Mental Side of COVID-19

Last Updated on October 9, 2020 Dealing with COVID-19 Stress and Anxiety If you’re feeling stressed and anxious during these uncertain times, you’re not alone. According to a recent Gallup poll, nearly 60% of Americans reported daily stress and worry due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted daily life and caused […]

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COVID-19: Let There Be Stress!

Last Updated on April 6, 2020 Easing Employee Stress Surrounding the Coronavirus Pandemic The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which was first detected in Wuhan, China in late December 2019, has now spread to over 150 countries, including the United States. As the number of confirmed cases increases daily, employers, employees and their families are […]

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HR Can Help With Workplace Change

Last Updated on February 24, 2020 Helping Employees Embrace Workplace Change Workplace changes are common across all organizations. Although some employees may embrace various changes to company systems or procedures, most individuals find workplace changes to be confusing, stressful and overwhelming. A recent study found that 71% of employees who experienced a large company change […]

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The Coronavirus challenges workplace wellness.

How can a virus or global health emergency affect your HR protocol? In this article there are a few great things to consider in HR in regard to any virus, or health scare such as the Coronavirus. MyHRConcierge cares about your workplace wellness.

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Protection from Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Last Updated on October 9, 2020 Training is the best defense –The topic of sexual harassment is on the rise. Sexual harassment in the workplace can have a toxic effect on a business’ brand and culture leading to low employee morale, reduced productivity, and even criminal liability. What is sexual harassment? According to the EEOC, […]

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