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Why every organization needs a salary structure: Understanding the problem

Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Does any organization really intend to discriminate against women and people of color by systematically underpaying them? Hopefully not; yet it is happening across organization size and industry. Part of the problem is that even well-intentioned organizations do not realize their internal systems may support unfair pay practices. This two-part article will explain the practices that may undermine fair play and how salary structures are a simple step to prevent and address underlying issues.

Build upon the mission

Robert C. Harris Association Management

Every nonprofit has a mission or a statement of purpose. It communicates the organization’s reason for existence and public benefit. Discussions and decisions are framed by the mission. The best are distinctive, memorable and easy to recite. While the mission can stand alone, there are five documents that easily build upon and enhance the impact of the organization. This article contains a sequence of documents that can enhance the mission:

Can you be held personally liable in an employment lawsuit?

D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Case law under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), generally holds individuals cannot be found liable. Unfortunately, the clear language in case law supporting the dismissal of individuals has not prevented plaintiffs from bringing claims under these statutes. For example, a federal court judge in Oregon recently outlined this costly and questionable practice in his opinion in a case involving Starbucks.

U.S. economy adds 304,000 jobs in January as unemployment climbs to 4 percent

Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

The widely watched U.S. employment report for January is positive in spite of the partial federal government shutdown that spanned most of the month. Nonfarm employers added 304,000 jobs in January versus 312,000 new hires in December, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The January rate of unemployment rose to 4.0 percent from December’s 3.9 percent "potentially because furloughed government workers and contractors were counted as jobless in the household survey," according to Elise Gould, an economist with the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C.

Bust these 5 bad work habits for good

Lisa Mulcahy Business Management, Services & Risk Management

New year, new you — that applies just as strongly in your work life as it does in your personal life. As a manager, you want to set a good example for your team members who take their cues from your work style and philosophy. Are you making this happen? If not, it's easier than you think to break bad habits that may be holding you back from doing your best work — and inspiring your staff to do their best work. Check out the following list of common behaviors you'll want to change.

How story-sharing creates connections and empathy in organizations

Simma Lieberman Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Growing up in the Bronx before the internet, we spent a lot of our recreational time "hanging out" on street corners with other people telling stories. It’s how we got to know each other, and it kept us busy. Sharing stories built trust, connections and long-term friendships. When new people moved into the neighborhood everyone wanted to know their story. But when I entered the workforce, I remember my manager telling me on my first day, "Leave your personal life at home, and just do your job." That thinking is no longer the accepted norm as more organizations realize how important it is to build relationships inside the organization and to develop relationships with customers.

If you only have one HR position, make it an HRBP

Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management

One of the most common paths into HR is accidental. An ambitious employee takes on the task of general admin or reception. In the course of interacting with clients and employees, she becomes a trusted listener and learns a variety of perspectives on the business. Her ambition means she can get her normal work done and steps in to help others whenever she can. Fast forward 18 months and she is the de facto human resources person in an office manager role. As an HR professional, I believe this is where the system can breakdown. To maximize in-house talent and get the perfect blend of customized, progressive HR programs, make your one HR position an HR business partner (HRBP).

US additive manufacturing reaches a slowdown era

Michelle R. Matisons Manufacturing

For those utopians starry-eyed about emerging 3-D printing/additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, former President Barack Obama’s enthusiasm was rather encouraging. As a new era has dawned in the White House, what is helping and hindering the growth of 3-D printing today? President Trump’s official position on AM is erratic. One minute he excitedly relates its capabilities for U.S. military might, and the next minute he says it aids illegal gun manufacturing. The White House released an updated Strategy for American Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing report in October 2018. This report does not indicate that there’s any official policy change on additive manufacturing. But this is not the same as funding.

Technology improves the consent agenda

Wil Riley and Bob Harris Association Management

The consent agenda is a tool to facilitate more effective board meetings. Adding technology to the concept improves ease of use and impact. In today’s fast-paced world, we must respect volunteers’ contributions of time and talents. It will be difficult to convene a quorum if directors feel the meeting wastes their time. It is especially problematic when so much of a meeting is used for reporting: listening, reading, discussing and approving. One wonders how the board gets to the essential business of mission and goals if reports consume most the time. A consent agenda may be the solution, technology may be the mechanism.

Why your job may be disappearing

Patrick Gleeson Science & Technology

For more than 50 years now, intellectuals like Herman Kahn have been predicting a future where very few of us will work. Yet unemployment is no worse than it’s ever been. Reasonably enough, most of us have stopped worrying about it. But recent developments in automation and artificial intelligence have sharply increased the chances that your job’s going away — and probably far sooner than you think. Worse, according to an alarming article in The New York Times, many business leaders not only believe technology-related job losses will be substantial in the near future — they’re looking forward to it!

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