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

Latest Episodes:

NYC’s AI Bias Law Isn’t Working + Demystifying Employee Ratings Mar 08, 2024

Show notes

Summary In this episode, Joey Price and Sommer Ketron discuss New York City’s AI bias law and the challenges it faces in terms of enforcement and compliance. They also evaluate the use of numerical ratings in performance reviews, highlighting the pros and cons of this approach. The conversation emphasizes the importance of clear communication in performance management and offers assistance in developing effective performance rating systems.

Takeaways New York City’s AI bias law, which requires employers to audit automated employment decision tools for potential bias, has faced challenges in terms of compliance and enforcement. The law’s narrow scope and lack of awareness among employers contribute to low compliance rates. Numerical ratings in performance reviews provide clarity and a means of quantifying performance, but they can also be subjective and demotivating. Alternative approaches to performance reviews that focus on feedback and improvement without assigning numerical scores may be more effective. Clear communication and evaluation of performance rating systems are crucial for successful performance management.

Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Overview 01:54 - Discussion of New York City’s AI Bias Law 03:55 - Challenges and Non-Compliance with the Law 08:30 - Enforcement and Compliance Issues 15:10 - Numerical Ratings in Performance Reviews and Pros and Cons of Numerical Ratings 20:00 - Clarity and Subjectivity of Numerical Ratings 26:01 - Alternative Approaches to Performance Reviews 28:00 - Importance of Communication in Performance Management 28:27 - Assistance with Performance Rating Systems 30:07 - Conclusion

Navigating Religious Inclusion in the Workplace + How to Handle Employee Grievances with Company Feb 06, 2024

Show notes

Summary

In this episode, Joey and Sommer discuss two topics that are often considered taboo in business: religious inclusion at work and addressing negative employee sentiment. They explore the complexities of religious inclusion, the importance of cultural sensitivity, and the legal protections for religious accommodations. They also provide insights on how to handle employee grievances and foster a positive work environment.

Takeaways

Religious inclusion at work is becoming more important as employees seek to bring their whole selves to the workplace. Companies should create policies and practices that accommodate religious observances and foster a culture of inclusivity.
Legal protections exist for employees’ religious freedoms, and employers must make reasonable accommodations unless it causes undue hardship to the business.
Addressing negative employee sentiment requires open and honest communication. Employers should conduct one-on-one interviews to understand the root causes of dissatisfaction and work towards resolving them.
Consulting with HR professionals can provide guidance and support in navigating complex issues related to religious inclusion and employee grievances.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:20 Religious Inclusion at Work

03:43 Shifting Culture and Expression of Self

05:23 Cultural Sensitivity and Religious Observances

10:00 Legal Protection and Religious Accommodations

19:18 Investigating Employee Grievances

24:26 Consultant’s Corner: Addressing Negative Employee Sentiment

Do dress codes still matter? + Work from home vs Work from Anywhere Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

Where do you go to discover the latest HR news and trends impacting your business?

Subscribe To Our Weekly HR Leadership Podcast:

In this episode, we dive into the intriguing topics of dress codes and the evolving concept of remote work. Join us as we explore whether working from home truly means working from anywhere and the implications it holds for both employees and employers.

https://jumpstart-hr.com/prepaid-hr-consulting-package/

In the face of ever-changing laws and the complexities of remote work, we're here to provide you with the guidance you need:

https://jumpstart-hr.com/30-minute-expert-hr-consult/

#humanresources #hrpodcast #NavigateChange #RemoteWorkChallenges #DressCodeDilemmas #WorkFromAnywhere #HRStrategy #HRInsights #HRServices #HRConsulting

A Closer Look at a High-Stakes Sex Discrimination Lawsuit May 17, 2023

Show notes

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently fined R&L Carriers, a nationwide trucking company headquartered in Wilmington, Ohio, $1.25 million to settle a sex discrimination lawsuit brought against it by a class of female employees.

The female employees claimed that the company discriminated against them in their hiring process by reserving the loader positions for men. The EEOC investigated and found that this was indeed the practice resulting to the massive settlement.

As we reimagine the workplace of the future, we've got to think about how our hiring practices prevent some people from pursuing certain roles, especially when it's a protected class like gender.

Many businesses aren't even aware they're breaking the law until the authorities come for them.

In the While We Were Working Section, Sommer and I discuss this case and what businesses need to know regarding hiring practices in a more inclusive society.

In the Consultants Corner, we tackle a question about employee compensation.

When structuring employee benefits, businesses can make significant mistakes related to things like tax and misclassification of workers as independent contractors.

While these arrangements might seem to reduce the burden on employers, when done wrong, they can lead to legal and financial consequences.

In this episode, Sommer and I unpack some things that can help you stay out of the EEOC's bad graces and some common mistakes to avoid when structuring employee compensation and benefits.

Key Takeaways

- Discrimination in the hiring process (03:41)

- What is your DEIB strategy (06:44)

- Using data to correct unlawful hiring practices (10:36)

- Don't put your reputation as an employer on the line (13:20)

- Make sure your hiring practices are inclusive (14:25)

- Common mistakes with employee benefits (16:51)

- Domestic partners and pretax benefits (20:56)

- Misclassification of independent contractors (24:05)

Additional Resources

Check out our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@jumpstarthr

Do you need HR consulting for YOUR small business? We got you covered!

👉 Learn more at: https://jumpstart-hr.com/

Do you have a question that you want us to tackle on the show?

📧 Email us at: hello@jumpstart-hr.com

📰 Article in question: https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/rl-carriers-pay-125-million-settle-eeoc-sex-discrimination-suit

Check out our Recruitment services www.jumpstart-hr.com

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Hosts: Joey Price & Sommer Ketron

This show is powered by Jumpstart: HR, LLC

www.Jumpstart-HR.com

Should Small Businesses Bring Employees Back To The Office? Sep 07, 2022

Show notes

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 to return to the office and how this issue plays out in the context of company culture and the employee experience.

In this episode's 'Consultant's Corner,' Joey and Sommer also share all you need to know about employee handbooks; why you need one, what it should include, and some tips on creating the perfect employee handbook.

Key Takeaways

Should small businesses ask employees back to the office? (00:00)
Why workers in large organizations refuse to return to the office (05:35)
Is remote work a sustainable option for small businesses? (06:54)
Why not going back to the office could be harmful to company culture (10:17)
Why an employee handbook is a crucial part of your HR toolkit (15:08)
The dangers of not having an employee handbook (16:48)
The number one reason your company needs an employee handbook (19:00)
Best practices when creating employee handbooks (22:45)
How often should organizations update their employee handbooks? (25:46)

Additional Resources

📰 Article in question:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/apple-workers-launch-petition-companys-reported-return-office-plan-rcna44156

Do you need HR consulting for YOUR small business? We got you covered!

👉 Learn more at: https://jumpstart-hr.com/

Do you have a question that you want us to tackle on the show?

📧 Email us at: hello@jumpstart-hr.com

Java With Joey (Monthly Small Business CEO Mastermind) - https://community.jumpstart-hr.com/offers/mwka2AyB/checkout

👉 Join our Empowered People Leaders Community [FREE Access] - https://community.jumpstart-hr.com/offers/MwchLoyL/checkout

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Hosts: Joey Price and Sommer Ketron

This show is powered by Jumpstart:HR, LLC

www.Jumpstart-HR.com

4 Ways Small Businesses Can Better Support Working Parents Aug 18, 2022

Show notes

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 Sommer share four ways small businesses can better support workers with child care needs. Tune in to find out more!

You'll also learn why helping workers navigate child care needs is a strategic investment regarding talent attraction and retention and what companies are doing to take care of their employees' mental health and wellbeing.

Sommer and Joey also discuss monkeypox from an HR perspective, its risks, common misconceptions, and some steps you can take to keep your team safe and your organization protected.

Key Takeaways

How small businesses can better support working parents (00:00)
What organizations are doing to help parents struggling with child care needs (03:10)
Why many women left the workforce during the pandemic (06:43)
Offering child care benefits as a talent retention strategy (10:47)
Alternative ways small businesses can support working parents (16:17)
What HR teams should know about monkeypox (22:04)
How monkeypox could negatively impact your business (26:03)
Should your business be worried about monkeypox? (29:43)

Additional Resources

📰 Article in question:

https://www.hr-brew.com/stories/2022/07/29/in-an-effort-to-keep-working-parents-some-employers-are-building-their-own-daycares

Download our FREE Monkepox Q&A Sheet here.

Do you need HR consulting for YOUR small business? We got you covered!

👉 Learn more at: https://jumpstart-hr.com/

Do you have a question that you want us to tackle on the show?

📧 Email us at: hello@jumpstart-hr.com

Java With Joey (Monthly Small Business CEO Mastermind) - https://community.jumpstart-hr.com/offers/mwka2AyB/checkout

👉 Join our Empowered People Leaders Community [FREE Access] - https://community.jumpstart-hr.com/offers/MwchLoyL/checkout

👉 Join our Student and Early Stage HR Pro community -

https://community.jumpstart-hr.com/offers/pWTbD2Ue/checkout

Hosts: Joey Price and Sommer Ketron

This show is powered by Jumpstart:HR, LLC

www.Jumpstart-HR.com

The Ultimate Recession Survival Guide For Small Businesses Jul 27, 2022

Show notes

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 strategies to successfully navigate an economic downturn. Tune in to find out more!

You'll also learn common mistakes small businesses make during recessions and the importance of maintaining perspective in uncertain times - all you need to know to make your business recession-proof.

Sommer and Joey also discuss stay interviews - what they are, why many small businesses fail to implement them properly, and best practices to improve retention and your workplace culture.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)
How to protect your small business from a recession (02:06)
The one mistake small businesses make during recessions (06:27)
Why maintaining perspective is essential (10:16)
What is a stay interview? (13:42)
The main reason why conducting exit interviews can be so challenging (17:50)
Best practices to improve workplace culture and employee satisfaction (21:42)

Additional Resources

📰 Article in question:

https://www.inc.com/ali-donaldson/7-tips-on-how-to-recession-proof-your-business-from-leaders-who-have-been-through-it.html

Do you need HR consulting for YOUR small business? We got you covered!

👉 Learn more at: https://jumpstart-hr.com/

Do you have a question that you want us to tackle on the show?

📧 Email us at: hello@jumpstart-hr.com

Java With Joey (Monthly Small Business CEO Mastermind) - https://community.jumpstart-hr.com/offers/mwka2AyB/checkout

👉 Join our Empowered People Leaders Community [FREE Access] - https://community.jumpstart-hr.com/offers/MwchLoyL/checkout

👉 Join our Student and Early Stage HR Pro community -

https://community.jumpstart-hr.com/offers/pWTbD2Ue/checkout

Hosts: Joey Price and Sommer Ketron

This show is powered by Jumpstart:HR, LLC

www.Jumpstart-HR.com

The Great Resignation 2022: Could It Be Beneficial For Small Businesses? Apr 20, 2022

Show notes

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 talk about The Great Resignation in today's 'While We Were Working' section. We're still in the midst of employees quitting their jobs searching for better opportunities and higher salaries. The economic impact of this trend is undoubtedly significant, but could it also be an opportunity for small businesses? Understanding the forces behind The Great Resignation will help you manage your business better and stay ahead of the game. And that’s exactly why we’re so happy to invite you to join this week’s online event called ‘Get Into It’, with Jill Schlessinger and Joey Price.

Join the conversation on April 21st at 2 pm ET!

Now let's dive into this week's episode!

Key Takeaways