HR Raw Blog

Getting Value Out of Mid-Year Performance Reviews (Part 1)

June 21, 2019

A periodic check-in between employers and employees can go a long way toward equipping your entire organization for success. Yet many companies struggle to make performance reviews work. It’s important to ensure that reviews are not simply a check-the-box exercise, but instead are meaningful, productive tools that position employees and leaders for success by setting…

Happy Holidays? What Employers Need To Know

November 19, 2018

It’s nearly Thanksgiving in the United States and what most of us consider the start of the holiday season with the holiday’s of Christmas and New Year’s rounding out the festivities.  For many Americans, the holidays can be both a joyous time and a stressful time since it typically means more time with family, more…

Hourly / Salary, Exempt / Non-Exempt; What’s the Difference?

November 11, 2018

Employee exemption status can be confusing.  If used incorrectly, employers can face a variety of consequences including costly penalties under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as well as applicable state and local laws and regulations. More often than not its the disgruntled employees (current and past ones), who will decide to call your pay…

Legalized Marijuana; Now What?

November 4, 2018

With the recent announcement of Canada’s legalization plus the United States’ 9 states that have already legalized recreational marijuana and the 31 states which have legalized medical marijuana, it’s a topic employers can no longer afford to ignore. The question is, what should they do about it? While the number of states legalizing some form of…

15 Life Lessons I Learned in HR

October 14, 2018

I’ve spent the last decade and a half working in human resources and as a result, have seen and experienced things that many others aren’t always privy to in the workplace.  When it comes to dealing with people, it can be fascinating, frustrating, fulfilling, frenzied and fantastic all at the same time.  And while most…

Why Can’t Employee Reviews Be More Like Yelp?!

September 20, 2018

Before I try almost anything new I check the online reviews.  New restaurant?  I open up yelp.  Heading to a new business in town?  I open up Google Maps. Purchasing something? I open up Amazon.  The reviews are simple, easy to read and extremely reliable.  I’ve never been led astray!  It’s a quick way for me…

#EmployerReferenceRevolution –> Who’s With Me?!!!

August 29, 2018

A reference, as defined by dictionary.com is a “person to who one refers for testimony as to one’s character, abilities, etc.”.   Most employers will ask you for a list of your professional references if they are going to consider you for a job.  If your credit isn’t great or well established you will usually…

You are a Cold Fish!…..and Other Ways to Lose a Candidate

August 23, 2018

Being the interviewer can be just as tough as being the interviewee.….knowing what you should and shouldn’t say, knowing what is legal and what isn’t and figuring out how you can get the most realistic indication of a potential employee from a brief conversation is tricky at best. The best interviewers are well trained, well…

Do You Have What It Takes?

July 5, 2018

As Jack Welch once said, “It goes without saying that no company, small or large, can win over the long run without energized employees who believe in the mission and understand how to achieve it.” Retaining key employees is essential to the success of any organization.  That isn’t news.  However, many leaders think that the…

Right To Work Vs Employment At Will…..Confused?

June 20, 2018

Are you familiar with Right To Work laws?  Do you know what Employment At Will means?  Many people don’t fully understand these concepts and I’ve heard people misuse these terms all the time with me.  So, what the heck is the difference anyway?  Read on…..