Do employees often feel “out of the loop” on essential communication? Have you had more than one report of sexual harassment or racial discrimination? According to a recent survey by the anonymous work talk app, Blind , 52 percent of tech employees report that their work environments are not healthy. Since most adults spend the majority of their time at work, this is a big deal. People feel “out of the loop” on important information. Gut check time. MORE

On July 21, 2014, President Barack Obama signed an executive order prohibiting federal contractors from discriminating against employees and job applicants based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. “In This was an important day for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community. However, as we celebrate Pride Month this June, it’s important to remember that the fight for equal rights and protections is nowhere near over. Fathers in the U.S. MORE

Many states are seeing new sexual harassment laws much in place, and new data are showing an increase in sexual harassment reports. If you’re an employer in Delaware, you’re probably aware of the new sexual harassment law in your state. HB 360 adds new provisions to the Delaware Discrimination in Employment Act (DDEA). What Is Sexual Harassment? Employers base employment decisions on the victim’s submission to or rejection of the harassment. MORE

A supervisor repeatedly teases his pregnant employee about the size of her belly. All of these scenarios are examples of pregnancy discrimination, and they are against the law. Pregnancy Discrimination Puts Women and Families at an Economic Disadvantage. Although federal law has forbidden discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions for 40 years now, it is still a major problem according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). MORE

Effective human resources policies are probably one of the most important investments that any small business can make in its ability to continue growing! We’ve written before on the purpose of compensation consulting and some top providers in that space. Today, we’ll be doing the same for the much broader category of human resources consulting for small businesses. Use the list above to jump to a specific section, or follow along from the top. MORE

Employers may only hire those who can legally work in the United States and must maintain up-to-date I-9 forms for all employees. Employers must withhold and pay the federal government a set percentage of employee wages for the federal government. Employers must withhold and pay the federal government a set percentage of employee wages for Social Security and Medicare. Employers must pay male and female employees the same wage for the same job. MORE

On the contrary, it’s rather healthy to have your ideas challenged, and it helps hash out and harmonize ideas. However, there does exist an uglier side of workplace discord that involves discrimination, bullying, harassment, and other sorts of emotional abuse. It’s prudent, then, that supervisors and business owners equip themselves with the right social tools to disperse conflict and come away from the ordeal as a fortified team. MORE

Many states are seeing new sexual harassment laws much in place, and new data are showing an increase in sexual harassment reports. If you’re an employer in Delaware, you’re probably aware of the new sexual harassment law in your state. HB 360 adds new provisions to the Delaware Discrimination in Employment Act (DDEA). What Is Sexual Harassment? Employers base employment decisions on the victim’s submission to or rejection of the harassment. MORE

Welcome to the Small Business Run Down. Today we take a look at the debate around Colorado’s proposed paid family leave legislation, the role credit scores play in small business lending, and sexual harassment training in the Big Apple. Republican lawmakers in Colorado have voiced concerns about the impact this would have on businesses, particularly small businesses. The Number: $671. The Number: 300. The Number: 15. MORE

Employers have a legal obligation to maintain a workplace that is free of sexual harassment. If you allow your employees to work in a hostile environment where they experience or witness aggressive, unwanted sexual advances, or they have to endure sexually suggestive jokes and behaviors, you are violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Many states also have their own specific workplace sexual harassment laws as well. You set the tone. And so the hashtag was born. MORE

A quick Google search reveals the deep mistrust employees have for human resources — there are countless Reddit threads and Quora comments from everyday workers sharing their stories about how HR’s only function is to protect the company. At least – that is the perception. MORE

“Leadership is the most important element for change, and that includes fostering workplaces that have an inclusive culture and that enhance cross-cultural awareness and skills through communication, training, and education. This is the starting point for any meaningful change in creating fair workplaces.” ” — Freada Kapor Klein, Giving Notice: Why the Best and the Brightest Leave the Workplace and How You Can Help Them Stay. MORE

Small business owners and HR leaders are working hard to manage the people center of their company while also staying on top of compliance requirements and calendar-based deadlines. Use the following compliance checklist to create your HR policies — or as a way to revamp existing ones. MORE

The employee handbook is the holy grail of workplaces, and every employer should have one, regardless of size. Not having an employee handbook is one of the biggest mistakes small employers can make. Helps keep management and employees on the same page. MORE

Do you conduct business in the state of California? Due to recent legislation, California businesses have a deadline of January 1, 2020, to enstate new sexual harassment policies. The change to the policy includes a new requirement for sexual harassment training. Read on to learn how to create a successful California sexual harassment training policy. California Sexual Harassment Training. Important Training Components. MORE

I am a 30-year-old entrepreneur navigating the business world, attempting to get ahead in life by building new businesses and hopefully discovering that pot of gold along the way that leaves me happily retired. If you’re one of the more than 25 million Americans who has started, or are starting, a new business—perhaps your situation is similar to mine. Unpacking the current situation with small business and compliance. MORE