If you’re an HR leader, one important thing to get your head around is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its connection to the mission of your company and the market choices your company makes. Welcome to the new world. You can’t simply chase a profitable line of business that exists on the fringes without considering CSR. At no place is …
Dear Staff, Just Because It’s Legal, Doesn’t Mean You Can Smoke It At Work – Sincerely, HR
I have known that distinct smell of marijuana ever since I was in middle school. The year was 1975, and I was spending the night at my very popular older brother’s house (known for his infamous parties). I happened upon that plate beneath to sofa that contained, among other things, a pack of funny little thin papers, little round seeds, …
Duck Season, Wabbit Season, Conference Season, and March Madness: Part 2
Yes, it is time for March Madness. Spring is definitely in the air. About this time last year, I departed from my political and assertive writing to do a mash-up of topics impacting the HR and Talent community. Well, It’s time for a “Part 2,” so hold on to your hats and college basketball draw sheets, here we go! First, …
The Politics of HR – Whose Side Are You On?
Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., HR’s largest membership organization’s CEO has been catching a lot of flack lately. In fact, a band of HR innovators and outliers have pushed the #fixitSHRM hashtag for a while in their displeasure with the CEO’s actions on behalf of the society. It’s even getting some press and blog play in the HR and talent space …
Can HR Truly bring Their True Selves to Work?
One of my favorite songs on The Who’s magnificent rock opus Quadrophenia is The Real Me. It asks the question “Can you see the real me?” over and over as the central character, Jimmy, asks his doctor and others for clarity about his issues. Well, HR has some new issues to contend with too. Can HR bring their true selves to …
A Memorial Day Weekend Thank You!
You may have seen me post this picture before. It is my nephew Paul, a Naval Officer, with his son Mason standing on his feet. Paul has served our country for the past two decades, been wounded and recovered during the second Gulf War conflict, and has had many dangerous tours of duty during that time. He does this to …
Duck Season, Wabbit Season, Conference Season and March Madness
Unlike most of my posts, this one is a mixed bag with multiple topics. First, it’s conference season for the talent community as there is a smorgasbord of offerings and some cool places to travel to. Austin, Vegas, San Diego, and later this year Chicago. Let’s not forget some overseas offerings as well. Big, small, and everything in between. For …
Don’t Believe Everything You Read or Watch, Even on HR Websites
We have heard the saying a million times: “Don’t believe everything you read”. Or maybe it is “don’t believe everything you hear or see on TV”. In any event, written, verbal or visual, with the advent of social media and 24-hour cable news, we are bombarded with a smorgasbord of “news” on demand. And how do we know if we …
Should HR Take a Knee or Sit on the Sidelines?
Taking a knee during the national anthem at National Football games is today’s discussion. If you work in HR can you take a knee or do you need to sit, or rather stand, on the sidelines? HR folks are all about political correctness, but what if you disagree about what you’re being asked to defend daily? In professional football, we …
Politically Incorrect, Burning Bridges and Telling “All”
This post will go against all conventional wisdom. Sometimes it’s the right thing to tell-all. Many of you will disagree, even a few of the writers on this site. Of course, there are pros and cons, as well as the long-term potential results of burning a few bridges. Big businesses have decided for all of us that it’s politically incorrect …