There’s One in Every Crowd
It’s September, so it’s back-to-school time, which inspired this month’s HR lesson. A teacher friend shared with me a story about a classroom situation that applies to the workplace too: Let’s be honest, there’s always one person who can make a simple directive more complicated, even in the workplace. A manager tells an employee that something […]
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: A Better Approach to Prevention and Response
Highlights A sexual harassment policy is only effective when an organization consistently puts it into practice. Meaningful training must give staff the knowledge they need to recognize concerns and respond appropriately. Maryland employers need to understand important differences between state and federal harassment laws. Consistent accountability and a workplace culture that encourages people to speak […]
How Do I Compare Different HR Outsourcing Companies in Maryland?
Highlights HR outsourcing isn’t one-size-fits-all; the right approach depends on organizational goals and workforce requirements. Product-based solutions offer access to benefits software, automated resources, templates, or other tools, while people-centered services offer experience, perspective, and a more personalized approach. Local expertise can bring valuable context to workplace challenges and employment requirements in Maryland. The best […]
Eileen’s Lesson: How to Combat Resume Inflation
My husband is mostly retired. So the other day when someone asked him what he does for a living, he answered, “I’m the dog’s assistant.” I told him he should update his LinkedIn profile, so he did. Using AI, my hubby then created a list of duties and responsibilities and changed his industry to ‘Veterinary’. […]
Employee Benefits, Flexibility, and Stability: The New Competitive Advantage
Highlights Employee benefits are becoming a key competitive advantage in today’s hiring market. Economic uncertainty is increasing the value employees place on stability. Today’s workforce is evaluating the complete employment experience, not just salary. Small and mid-size employers have new opportunities to compete for talent. A thoughtful employee benefits strategy supports both recruitment and retention. […]
Eileen’s Lesson: Technology is no substitute for experience.
As many of you know, I run. What you may not know is that my son is a runner too. Over the last five years, he’s steadily increased his weekly mileage, completed several marathons, and decided to take on an ultramarathon. If you’re not familiar with the term, a marathon is 26.2 miles. An ultramarathon […]
Why Employee Down Time Matters More Than Ever
Highlights Employee down time has become increasingly important as today’s workplace grows more demanding and unpredictable. When employees rarely have the chance to disconnect from work, concentration and performance begin to suffer. Recent research from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) underscores these challenges. In its 2026 State of the Workplace findings, SHRM identifies […]
Eileen’s Lesson: How do you handle workplace mistakes?
Happy Summer Solstice! The days are longer, the nights are shorter, and somehow, that makes it shockingly easy to lose track of time entirely. I remember one summer when my kids were at camp and got dropped off by bus each afternoon. Parents had to meet the bus at the stop. Easy enough because the […]
Why Employee Engagement Surveys Are Only Part of the Story
Highlights Employee engagement surveys remain one of the most widely used tools for gathering workplace feedback. They can provide valuable insights into communication, workplace culture, leadership, job satisfaction, and other factors that influence engagement. But many organizations are facing a new challenge: it’s becoming harder to uncover what people are really experiencing at work. Not […]
Job Application Abandonment: An Unintended Consequence of High-Volume Hiring
Highlights Job application abandonment is a growing concern for employers, with many candidates starting applications but never completing them. The causes vary but the issue highlights a broader reality: today’s hiring process can be frustrating for both employers and job seekers, but often in different ways. Employers have access to larger talent pools than ever […]