SHRM Blog

Joy is a Leader's Job

by Ann TardyOn January 7, 2013 0 comments

Aretha Franklin was on to something. She sang it loud and proud, "All I want, honey, is a little respect." And that applies to work as well. The number one reason people leave a job? A disrespecting boss. Not lack of money. Lack of respect.

What if joy was a leader's responsibility? A skill required. An expectation of good leadership. A competency no less important than thinking strategically or leading change.

What is joy?

Great delight or happiness caused by something good or satisfying (thank you, dictionary.com). Could work really be the source of delight and...

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Is There Room for Humanity in HR?

by Jonathan SegalOn January 3, 2013 0 comments

Last month, I wrote a blog titled, “A Holiday Tale by a Jewish Guy Who Wears a Chai.”  I wanted to address the serious potholes we navigate around the holiday season, but in a fun way.

I dedicated the blog post to my grandparents.  I shared how I miss lighting the menorah candles with them.

In response to the post, I had a lot of conversations with clients and other friends about the legal and HR issues raised.  But more than that, many shared with me stories about memories of holidays past with their grandparents and others...

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HR's 2013 "To Do" List

by China GormanOn January 2, 2013 0 comments

I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions.  Everyone else, though, has their top ten lists of resolutions for 2013.  And for HR, everyone wants you to go socially mobile into the Cloud.

Me?  Not so much.

I am big on “to do” lists, though.  And, while there’s lots for HR to do in 2013, here are my top 4:

1.)  Have a tactical plan to stay on top of regulatory (pay particular attention to NLRB rulings and timetables for implementation of the Affordable Healthcare Act) and legislative changes coming from your city, your state house...

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#Nextchat: Helicopter Parents Descend Upon the Workplace

by Mary Kaylor, SHRM-CPOn December 31, 2012 0 comments

Helicopter parenting is the new catchphrase for over-parenting in the 21st century, and while the phenomenon manifests itself mostly during school years, it has crossed the workplace border as many moms and dads now manage their children’s careers.

Employers report more frequent parental involvement in the adult child’s job search and continued involvement even after hire. 

While some employers discourage parental involvement, others encourage family members to learn more about the job and the company. They know that if parents see a solid organization with growing opportunities, they’re more likely to persuade their child to take the job -- and tell others about it.  You...

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Opportunity or Task?

by Steve BrowneOn December 28, 2012 0 comments

“People.  They’re all around us every day.  It’s as if we HAVE to deal with them!”

Sound familiar?  Sound like you?  Sound like most people in the workplace . . . and HR?  It’s not surprising.  The workplace is filled with people.  It’s an amazing fact.  They desperately want to interact, communicate, perform and excel.  But, most of our efforts each day are to limit, thwart, conceal and conform.  Why is that?

Do you know that the first thing the vast majority of people do when they take that first step out of the car to enter...

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HR Predictions for 2013 - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

by Robin SchoolingOn December 27, 2012 0 comments

Remember just a few short years ago when “going green’ was the new thing?  Organizations embraced the concept of saving money, being mindful of the environment and focusing on sustainability.  And while it always made sense to me for Facilities Managers to be in charge of Green Workplace initiatives, I also noticed lots of human resource professionals tasked with creating company recycling programs and monitoring office thermostats.  I have to admit that I, personally, never got the connection of giving those sorts of tasks to HR.  Nevertheless, many HR professionals (with input and research from SHRM) determined that green...

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Building Cross-Cultural Relationships Through Simple But Impactful Actions

by Jennie WalkerOn December 26, 2012 0 comments

Each New Year’s Eve I particularly enjoy watching the live broadcasts of celebrations as the clock strikes midnight in each time zone around the world.  Even though not all countries or cultures celebrate New Year’s on the same day or in the same way, seeing these celebrations is a reminder to me of how much we do have in common across cultures.  We look forward to a new year with hope for health and happiness.  We enjoy the camaraderie of our friends and family.  We also like a good celebration.  So often in global leadership we focus on difference,...

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Job Market: What's Ahead for 2013?

by Joe CoombsOn December 26, 2012 0 comments

A year ago, many conversations about labor market growth came with a caveat: “It will depend on the election.”

While that contest has been settled, not much has changed for job seekers. As it was in early 2012, uneven economic conditions are still what weigh most on the U.S. labor market engine. Nonfarm payrolls grew at about the same monthly rate in 2012 as they did in 2011, and, currently, there is no hard evidence that jobs will be created at a quicker rate in 2013.

In addition, there’s this little fiscal mess in the U.S. government’s...

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Engaging Employees Through Social Technology at Marsh

by Kyle LagunasOn December 24, 2012 0 comments

Employee engagement is a challenge—especially when you're an international company with 28,000+ employees. When Marsh, a leader in insurance broking and risk management, faced low scores in career growth and development, executive leadership knew something needed to be done.

Leading this initiative wasBen Brooks, SVP and Global Director, Enterprise Communications and Colleague Engagement, and Laurie Ledford, Chief Human Resources Officer of parent company Marsh & McLennan Companies. Faced with a complex set of challenges—from sequestered resources to a lack of community—they decided to go all in on social.

The result, Marsh University (MU), was a bold move in the traditionally...

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