HR Insights

Meditation, the practice of Mindfulness, learning to be "in the moment," whatever you call it – this practice has been shown to work wonders for indivudals, especially in terms of stress, attention, and mental stability.

But do these benefits rub off on businesses when practiced by staff or management? Studies are starting to demonstrate just how much mindfulness has to offer the corporate world.

Many employers provide an excellent suite of benefits. So why don't more employees take better advantage of them?

Anyone who has worked for such a company knows how disorienting the process can be. Dense paperwork, incomprehensible web platforms, and industry jargon can make employees decide they're better off fending for themselves.

Businesses that truly want to provide for their workers' needs must find a better way to communicate.

Like the title states, building leaders is the #1 people challenge facing HR management across the globe. This holds true within the public and private sectors, though private sector companies find greater management confidence among their HR departments.

Surveyed HR managers also reported that employee engagement and morale were significant challenge-points. Helping future leaders to develop is the core of succession.

While you might not look to Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos for HR advice, their approach does make interesting conversation.

These two mega-entrepreneurs are involved in a literal space race between their two commercial rocketry startups.

What concerns our discussion is the lengths to which both CEOs push their employees. We are invited to consider the question of ethical workplace standards wthin companies on the cutting edge of technology.

To the surprise of no one in HR, American benefits packages look a little slim when compared to those of Europe. 

One of the key differences is that European governments (in the 14 nations studied) dictate the extent to which benefits like maternal/paternal leave must be extended to employees; in the US, the decision to provide or withhold is the prerogative of the employer.

With the fight for great talent ongoing in many industries, HR managers are taking to social media to find and attract the best candidates.

One study shows 2/3 distributing job opportunity listings through social media, with another 44% communicating directly with applicants through varios SM platforms.

Perhaps surprisingly, HR is using Facebook more than LinkedIn (73% to 67%). Respondents report that these means provide more candidates per open position, reduce the cost of hiring, and bring better and more diverse candidates to the table.

HR has never been an easy job, but 2016 is a year when Human Resources teams have to be on their toes. There are a number of health care laws which are affecting specific regions, and the United States at large.

The ACA continues to impact us all, with specific decisions required of business to comply with the Excise tax, health savings plan guidelines requirements, and lots more documentation all around.

The Department of Labor is expected to raise the minimum salary for Overtime Exemption this year. More than a dozen states are rolling out more stringent Paid Leave requirements for businesses. Equal Pay and Commuter Benefits issues are also on the table.

It's tough to attract the right talent in Human Resources today. With so much riding on HR, and a shortage of experts to fill these roles, it pays to know how to spot an HR Rockstar when you see one across the interview table.

The linked article identifies key characteristics of great HR leaders.

In a recent survey of CEOs, data security and Human Resources concerns topped the list of possible future problems.

Many respondents said that some of their HR team members were simply too good at their jobs, making them irreplaceable if they were to quit, take another job, or pass away.

Lawyers continue to bicker about the ACA's requirements for employer health plans. The latest item on the table: Outpatient Surgery.

Outpatient procedures don't require a patient to stay overnight. They comprise 2/3 of all surgical procedures, and include common operations like hernia and bone fracture repair.

However, outpatient surgeries can still cost $10,000 or more. And many employer health plans don't cover them.