HR Raw Blog

Pills

Opioids in the Workplace

April 26, 2019

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the United States is facing an opioid overdose epidemic. Deaths due to opioids quadrupled between 2000 and 2014. At least half of these deaths were due to prescription opioids.

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Alcoholic Drinks

Too Much Holiday Cheer!

December 10, 2018

Early in my career, I heard a phrase spoken by a family court judge that has stuck with me throughout my professional career.  While he was speaking about matters that had been brought to him in court, I’ve found the saying to be just as applicable to situations I’ve seen in the workplace by being…

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happy holidays

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…

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clock

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…

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girl smoking

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…

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lemon picture

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…

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Woman using a phone

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…

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dog

A (literal) Crap Day at Work!

September 11, 2018

If you know me, you’ll know I’m not much of a pet person….ok, yes, we have a dog in our home but it belonged to my husband and his kids first.  And in all fairness she is only six pounds and doesn’t tend to be much work. I’m allergic to most cats and dogs and…

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#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…

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fish

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…

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