Embarking on a career in Human Resources is more than a job; it's a commitment to championing workplace excellence. In the competitive landscape of HR, where expertise and credibility reign supreme, obtaining a professional certification is the pivotal step that sets you apart.   Knowledge is power in Human Resources, and an HR certification is the key to unlocking a world of opportunities. Certification validates your proficiency in the ever-evolving landscape of HR practices, ensuring you're equipped with the latest strategies and methodologies.  As organizations increasingly ..read more

In the fast-paced world of Human Resources, where every decision can impact an organization's success, staying ahead of the curve is not just an advantage; it's a necessity. For budding HR professionals, it can be difficult to find the budget and time to get that “next step training”. Every decision you make is often a trade off, but investing in training is one way to invest in yourself and unlock unprecedented career development. Let's dive into why training is your secret weapon for success. What you’ll learn in HR training Imagine stepping into your HR role armed with the latest industry i ..read more

Human Resources professionals are being called to the leadership table as a regular part of business.  And why not!  The business can’t run with the people that handle sales, operations, administration day in and day out.  HR Professionals don’t necessarily need degrees in business, but they do need to keep up with the trends and vocabulary of the C-Suite.  When I was in business school (yes in the 1980’s!) Biz 101 always included the 4 P’s of business – Price, Place, Product, and Promotion.  This defined the way organizations are going to go to market and set the basi ..read more

Introduction In the dynamic landscape of HR management, an employee handbook serves as the cornerstone of effective communication between employers and employees. It's not just a stack of policies; it's a powerful tool that can set the tone for your company culture and provide clear expectations. Lots of handbooks exist, and they were created years ago and haven’t been reviewed in year.  Rather consider looking at your handbook as a tool that fosters a positive work environment, promotes transparency, and ensures compliance with labor laws. Start with a Clear Purpose: Before diving into t ..read more

Human Resources is a ying and yang experiment these days. Business leaders know how important it is to have an effective HR function, and yet they tend to set up a human resources function, and then leave it to run by others on the team. As long as employees are being paid, their benefits work at the doctor’s office and the EEOC is not sending complaints, they assume they are good. But really, is that all you want from your HR function? I hope not. Consider these 5 questions of yourself and your leadership team to begin the conversation of how you can create a human resources department that r ..read more

Once upon a time, in a world not too long ago, there was a department called Personnel that sat at the end of the hall. The desks were metal and had a typewriter on each one, perfect for completing the endless forms that were required. There were walls of file cabinets that contained employee files, past and present. Stacks of resumes were found about, as the team tried to decide who should be brought in for the latest round of interviews. This was all necessary to meet the needs of the management team and the compliance obligations from the government. So, what has changed today? Primarily, t ..read more

There’s a great quote by H. Jackson Brown Jr: "You have exactly the same numbers in a day that were given to Helen Keller, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein, look what they were able to accomplish.” I think we can all resonate with that – so the take away for me is… we don’t want to hear that you don’t have enough time in a day. The question is… how are you using your time?  Often in HR, I think we let others capitalize on our day.  We come in with a plan, then an employee shows up and needs a new ID card, a supervisor has an employee that was late fo ..read more

You do not want to be the next company on the evening news! The only way to ensure that does not happen is by clearly communicating to your employees your company’s anti-harassment policy through effective anti-harassment training, so they understand what will and will not be tolerated. Let’s be clear on one thing. The conversation with employees on your company’s harassment policy cannot just be a one and done training; it must be an ongoing message that is incorporated into your company culture. Harassment, discrimination, and bullying in the workplace should all have a zero-tolerance messag ..read more

When you run up against a challenge, what do you do? If you look at other like-minded individuals for counsel or recommendations, you’re not alone. But what about a similar situation in your role as an HR professional? You may find that there isn’t an individual within your organization you can turn to, especially if you’re an HR Department of One (HR DOO). For this reason, many seek mastermind groups and mentors to help them navigate the world of Human Resources. What Is a Mastermind or Peer-to-Peer Advisory Group? The idea of a mastermind group was developed by Napoleon Hill in his books The ..read more

Once, you may have been a generalists in a small business, which still describes what many of us do today. But the role of HR in small organizations has gone beyond being a generalist. Today’s HR Department of One is expected to be a business leader driving results like all other members of the leadership team. As an HR Department of One, you have to know the business and be sure that HR initiatives are aligned with business goals. At the same time, you have to add value to the bottom line and reduce risk to the overall operation.  Think about four steps that allow the HR Department of On ..read more