human resources

Personality Tests: As Defining as Your DNA?

by Ray_anne
your future in a test

    Several years ago, I engaged in an online survey/test called StrengthFinders. My employer, at the time, thought that if we got to know each other’s strengths, we might focus less on each other’s weaknesses.  We might actually play up to the revealed strengths of each team member and figure out how to best play [...]

May 3, 2012 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Can HR Make Friends at Work?

by Jessica Miller-Merrell
Thumbnail image for Can HR Make Friends at Work?

  HR Are People Too.  Cross My Heart. This week I’m at the SHRM Talent and HRO Today Forum conferences in Washington, DC and next week I’m in New York City for the HRPS Global Conference.  All three are great events with a variety of human resource professionals from big companies as well as small. [...]

May 1, 2012 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Unions, HR, & The Free Choice Discussion

by Ray_anne
Thumbnail image for Unions, HR, & The Free Choice Discussion

Labor Unions: Objective Judgment + Independent Thought = Desired Value   A Brief History of Union Organization in the US In 1935, the NLRA (National Labor Relations Act) was passed as federal law in the United States in an effort to protect the rights of workers in the private sector, thus allowing the formation of unions, to [...]

February 23, 2012 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Life in Human Resources is Not Easy, Ever.

by Ray_anne
Thumbnail image for Life in Human Resources is Not Easy, Ever.

Comfort. Some things in life are more comfortable than others. It can be a bit disconcerting to receive a phone call from a client who expected more from your relationship or be summoned to your superior’s office to hear the dreaded words, “I don’t like anything you have suggested.” Or how about that time when you [...]

February 6, 2012 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

HR Doesn’t Stand for Headcount Reduction

by Jessica Miller-Merrell
Thumbnail image for HR Doesn’t Stand for Headcount Reduction

  Late last week I read an interesting comment on a fellow HR Blogger, Charlie Judy’s blog.  The comment was this: “HR simply stands for Headcount Reduction.”  The post titled “Deadbeat Employees” and the comment thread that has evolved as of late is quite interesting but that’s not the point of this blog post today. [...]

February 6, 2012 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

God Has No Place in the Workplace

by Jessica Miller-Merrell
Thumbnail image for God Has No Place in the Workplace

  Employees Rights to Religion at Work I understand that the law provides employees the opportunity for religious accommodation meaning employers should provide employee time off to worship, attend their church, and observe their religious holidays.  I have had my share of run-ins with management staff as I explained that employees can take time off to attend [...]

January 11, 2012 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

3 Lessons Learned From Lion King for the Workplace

by Jessica Miller-Merrell
Thumbnail image for 3 Lessons Learned From Lion King for the Workplace

I’m in Vegas this week, but not for the reasons you might think.  My husband, Greg is here on business, and it also happens to be my daughter, Ryleigh’s third birthday.  We didn’t feel like it was fair for us to be apart on such an important day for Ryleigh so I made the trip [...]

December 15, 2011 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

A New Revolution

by Ray_anne
Thumbnail image for A New Revolution

A world that finds distress necessary seems to be emerging. I don’t really understand it, but it seems to be true even as we recognize the need to ease distress, solve an issue, change a course, innovation and provoking thoughts or actions occur. Provocation has, on more than one occasion, driven home the need to [...]

December 15, 2011 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

What Always Worked Before: Learn to Be Flexible

by Ray_anne
Thumbnail image for What Always Worked Before: Learn to Be Flexible

Several years ago, I sat in front of the CEO of a small company that called itself a start-up for start-ups. I was new to this type of organization, a technology-based company, trying to get off the ground with little funding and big ideas. I had worked for the whole of my career, up until that point, [...]

December 7, 2011 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

A Different Kind of (HR) Trenches

by Jessica Miller-Merrell
Thumbnail image for A Different Kind of (HR) Trenches

There’s been a lot of discussion surrounding Trench HR.  These are human resource professionals who work for organizations maybe as service HR postions, middle managers, and senior leaders for an organization.  For me, Trench HR is anyone who is below HR VP level and below.  Because let’s face it, if you are the Chief HR [...]

December 6, 2011 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Help! When’s the Right Time to Leave a Job?

by Jessica Miller-Merrell
Thumbnail image for Help! When’s the Right Time to Leave a Job?

These days I seem to be part HR blogger and part Anne Landers providing readers advice and insights into navigating the world at work.   I guess it comes with the territory.  My business life right now during the holidays consists mostly of hoodie sweatshirts and house slippers so I’m up for the challenge, and [...]

November 30, 2011 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

And the verdict is… Not Guilty!

by Ray_anne
Thumbnail image for And the verdict is… Not Guilty!

I have some worn-out luggage.  Actually, it’s baggage and it ain’t pretty.  I carry it with me always:  a sense of guilt attached to my actions and how they affect others. Maybe it comes from a strict and religious upbringing, maybe it just comes from an inordinate accountability that I feel, maybe I just feel [...]

November 29, 2011 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Almost Dooced. A Social Media Workplace & HR Story.

by Jessica Miller-Merrell
Thumbnail image for Almost Dooced. A Social Media Workplace & HR Story.

Since last week when I shared my story about how my personal brand, namely my blog was causing tension between me and my former company, a number of social media and blogging savvy professions have connected with me sharing their personal stories and frustrations with social media both in and outside of the workplace.  It’s [...]

November 18, 2011 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

The Compensation Quandry. How HR Asks for a Raise.

by Jessica Miller-Merrell
Thumbnail image for The Compensation Quandry. How HR Asks for a Raise.

It is no secret that the human resource department is non-income generating.  We don’t sell software, negotiate new service contracts, or build widgets.  And yet our department is often responsible for compensation of the entire organization, merit increases, and often the evaluation and employee talent process. Most senior leaders of an organization do not fully [...]

November 11, 2011 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

The Fountain of Youth – Exploring Ageism

by Ray_anne
magic fountain - I want some!

Every day brings new challenges to face and conquer. Whether or not you are able to triumph will depend upon, not only skill, but also resolve. Distractions line the way, as does discouragement. And as you age or become more entrenched in your work, the distractions change, as do the things that discourage you. I guess I [...]

October 28, 2011 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

The Price of Experience – Exploring Ageism

by Ray_anne
Ageism

Long ago, in a galaxy far away, I attended my first health care human resource conference as an exhibitor. I was nervous and had pieced together an outfit as I didn’t even own a full-fledged suit yet. What was I thinking? I am NOT a salesman or so I kept telling my boss. The retained search firm [...]

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
October 27, 2011 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →