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Title VII Ruling: Sexual Orientation Discrimination is Violation of Federal Civil Rights Act

Mitzi Branvold December 15, 2016

A new federal court ruling has clarified that discrimination based on sexual orientation is included under federal civil rights protections against sex discrimination. This allows employees who are faced with discrimination and harassment in the workplace over their sexual orientation to sue employers in federal court. The heart of the issue

Human Resources: Hiring Temporary Workers Over The Holiday Season

Mitzi Branvold December 8, 2016

The holidays are often a busy time for businesses, and human resource professionals. Instead of the usual “permanent” hires, human resource departments often spend their time hiring temporary employees. These seasonal employees come on board during the busy holiday period, to provide necessary extra hands on deck. With the right strategy, seasonal

Compliance Issues When Terminating an Employee

Mitzi Branvold December 1, 2016

A time will come when a relationship with a current employee is no longer benefiting the company or the individual. But these days letting someone go is risky and if your business doesn’t want to end up in a long drawn out litigation process, preparation and due diligence is paramount. Here are steps

Keeping Employees Engaged During Training

Mitzi Branvold November 21, 2016

Every company strives to employ a knowledgeable and successful workforce. Training is one of the ways that employers can accomplish that. Without training, employees are less productive and happy in their positions which ultimately costs the company money down the road. But how can a company implement training programs that produce great results while still

Outsourcing HR for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Mitzi Branvold November 17, 2016

If you’re an entrepreneur or a small business, you’re likely a smaller operation with a core team of employees. Your empowered employees and team members wear many hats – and so do you! Likely, you don’t have a dedicated and trained Human Resource specialist on staff. As the owner, founder,

Human Resources: Learning About Employee Personalities

Mitzi Branvold November 10, 2016

In Human Resources, one of the most important aspects of the job is handling conflict between employees and managers. As a mediator of differences that arise, it’s important to understand the differences that arise between people. Everyone has a distinct personality, and they see and communicate differently. The Myers-Briggs Type

A Challenge to the EEOC’s Employer Wellness Plan Rules

Mitzi Branvold November 2, 2016

The EEOC Employer Wellness Plan rules are scheduled to take effect January 2017. The rules allow employers to offer both incentives and disincentives for employees who choose to participate or not to participate in employee wellness programs. The new rules do not, according to the EEOC, violate any of the

Human Resources: Special Considerations During the Holiday Season

Mitzi Branvold October 26, 2016

November is upon us, and it’s almost time for the Holidays. The holidays bring joy and time with our families and communities, and they also come with special considerations for human resources to consider in the workplace. Here are some factors to consider and ways you can ensure a holiday season that’s enjoyable and

Can an Employee be Fired over a Social Media Posting?

Mitzi Branvold October 19, 2016

Can an employee be fired over social media postings? Yes, but there are some laws and rules that need to be considered before a firing decision is made. First amendment rights to free speech means the federal government cannot keep an employee from speaking their mind. Private businesses are not obligated in the same way.

6 Essential Ways to Prepare Human Resources For the New Year

Mitzi Branvold October 13, 2016

The Human Resources department is a vital component of every business. It cannot be caught off-guard by changing regulations or shifting business goals. With the end of the year quickly approaching, there are six essential ways that Human Resources must prepare for the new year. 1. ACA Reporting Begin compiling information for the year-end

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