While We Were Working: Human Resources Advice and Workplace Tech Insights for The HR Practitioner Community

From cursing in team meetings to quitting with short notice, we're witnessing a decline in proper workplace etiquette - and many believe remote work is to blame. So, is that the case? How did we go from shaking hands in meetings to cursing or not showing up? Today, Jumpstart HR Consultant Brittleigh Cox joins Sommer to discuss why proper workplace etiquette is getting worse, why it's problematic,...

Apple workers recently launched a petition against the company's reported return to office plan. If one of the most influential companies worldwide is getting pushback from its team, what does this mean for small businesses? Today, Sommer and Joey discuss the pros and cons of asking team members to return to the office. Tune in to find out more! You'll learn what to do if your employees don't want...

A recent federal appeals court decision granted transgender workers broadened legal protections under the ADA. So, it's a good time for small businesses to reevaluate their current anti-discrimination policies and to find ways to provide the best experience possible for their trans workers. In this week's episode, Sommer and Joey share tips for small businesses on creating a more transgender-frien...

Economists recently announced that the 22 million jobs lost due to the pandemic have been recovered - and the job market is still growing. With 528,000 new jobs added to the market in July (significantly surpassing the original estimate of 258,000), what can small businesses do to remain competitive and hire top talent? In this week's episode, Sommer and Joey discuss why it's essential for small b...

Balancing work and child care is a challenge countless employees face every day. Large organizations are taking action to combat burnout in working parents, some even building their own daycares. As a small business, offering onsite child care can be too expensive, but fortunately, there are alternative ways to support working parents without breaking the bank. In this week's episode, Joey and Som...

A.I. technologies have drastically revolutionized and improved how we do business. A.I. tools play a significant role in H.R. processes, yet they can potentially get your business in legal trouble by implementing discriminatory practices during recruitment. In this week's episode, Sommer and Joey discuss A.I. tools in H.R.: how organizations use them, their benefits and risks, and some tips on pre...

The tight labor market the US is currently experiencing has prompted employers to budget big pay raises for 2023. While the average is projected to be about 4.1%, data shows that this would be the most significant pay increase in the past 15 years. So, what does this entail for small businesses? In this week's episode, Sommer and Joey discuss why pay raise should be a part of your executive strate...

While most of the jobs lost during the pandemic have been recovered, there's a growing concern for an impending economic recession among economists and organizations. Although the economy's future remains unclear, small businesses must prepare for the worst-case scenario. In this week's episode, Joey and Sommer explore why recessions happen, their implications for small businesses, and a few strat...

In the aftermath of Roe v Wade's overturn, companies are now facing difficult decisions regarding their employee's health plans and medical benefits. So, what is the best strategy small businesses can adopt to navigate this complex environment? Sommer and Joey examine the implications of Roe v Wade's overturn for small businesses, what to expect in the future and some recommendations for proactive...

Is office romance inevitable? In today's episode of 'While We Were Working', Sommer and Joey discuss whether office romance is really an HR nightmare and how to tackle the challenges it entails. You'll learn why relationships blossom so quickly in a work environment and the importance of setting expectations around workplace dating as a small business HR team. Joey and Sommer also explore the best...

On June 21, the U.S. Department of Labor announced its proposed overtime rule is planned for release in October. So, how does this potential law change impact small businesses? In this week's episode of 'While We Were Working', Joey and Sommer explain all you need to know about the potential overtime law changes. You'll learn the importance of having a system for tracking and authorizing overtime...

By 2023 Gen Z is expected to make up around 30% of the workforce. However, not unlike the Millennial Generation, Gen Z workers are already reporting high levels of burnout. A recent survey revealed that 46% of Gen Z staff felt that they were constantly stressed out and anxious. So, what is causing Millennial and Gen Z workers to struggle with burnout? Jumpstart HR Consultant Maria Thorpe joins Som...

The Great Resignation, also known as The Big Quit, is an ongoing economic trend in which employees quit their jobs in search of higher pay and a promise of better opportunities. But has this actually been the case? Jumpstart HR consultant Devin Fruzyna joins Sommer to discuss why many employees currently regret quitting their jobs and how small businesses can adjust their recruiting process to rem...

Since the pandemic, there has been a drastic shift in the number of union petitions - in March of this year, the NLRB union petitions increased to a staggering 57%. While historically, unions have been essential in advocating worker safety and fair treatment, they can bring about significant complications, especially for small businesses. So what can small business HR teams do about it? In today's...

Should you share how much you make? In today's episode, Joey and Sommer welcome Hannah Williams, a 25-year-old content creator in the DMV area, to share her views on a major issue in the United States: salary transparency. With her viral series, Salary Transparent Street, Hannah challenges strangers across the country to share what they do and how much they make in order to fight discrimination op...

While there are certain advantages to hiring independent contractors, converting those contractors to full-time employees is crucial for business growth. But when is the best time to convert a contractor to an employee? In this week's episode of 'While We Were Working', Joey and Sommer discuss the transition from contractor to employee as you look to build your team. Tune in to learn the pros and...

A recent data report by HR platform Gusto shows that the share of fully remote workers has increased by 240% since the pandemic began. There is no doubt that flexibility has become a crucial factor in whether or not people will take a new job - so it's critical for growing businesses to adapt and develop new HR strategies. This week, Joey welcomes Gusto's Liz Wilke and Eric Schuchman to discuss th...

Companies have long used college degrees as a proxy for job competency and career readiness. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic labor shortage and the rise of remote work, numerous companies, especially in tech, are reconsidering their prerequisites for successful hires. In today’s episode, Joey and Sommer discuss whether college degrees are still relevant when hiring the right talent. You’ll le...

When hiring an outsourced HR company, what should we be looking for? In this week's episode, Joey breaks down the four essential keys to successfully identifying and evaluating an HR partner that can work for your company. You'll learn the difference between outsourcing as a small business compared to a large organization and some red flags to watch out for when considering candidates. Joey also d...

Right off the bat, the idea of snooping through your employees' social media accounts might sound dubious. However, it also makes sense to ensure that what your employees post online isn't harming your business. So, what's the best strategy here? In today's episode, Sommer and Joey share the pros and cons of monitoring your employees' social media, when you should avoid it, and when it could actua...

According to a CareerBuilder survey, jobs that allow employees to work from home saw a substantially higher application rate than in-person jobs. Remote work has undeniably become a more desirable option for a considerable part of the workforce, so organizations need to develop new strategies to attract and retain the right talent. In today's episode, Joey and Sommer share some tips on how to tack...

Many of the most common questions HR consultants get have to do with when to hire an HR advisor. Do you need to have a certain number of employees before starting an HR department? Do small businesses need HR at all? Sommer and Joey discuss the importance of developing an effective HR strategy early on and a few tips on starting an HR department as a small business or startup. Joey and Sommer also...

Where are your employees working from? Having employees working in different states where you're not legally registered to be conducting business could cause many compliance and tax issues for your business. And as the volume of remote work increases, small business HR teams need to keep track of where their employees are working from. So, what does a successful remote work policy look like? Tune...

What does the metaverse hold for small business HR? As mega brands are starting to explore the metaverse’s potential in retail, small companies need to ensure they’re not getting left behind. Small business owners should leverage not only the opportunities the metaverse will offer in terms of sales and marketing but also in HR technology. In today’s episode of While We Were Working, Sommer and Joe...

The Consumer Price Index rose 7.9%, year-over-year in February- its highest point in more than 40 years, and it's steadily increasing. Should employers be worried about its effects on workers' wages? Sommer and Joey discuss how exactly inflation can affect small business, especially regarding talent acquisition and retention. Tune in to learn more about the key tactics companies are developing to...