HR Topics
SHRM is your go-to source for the latest news and resources in HR. Whether you're new to the field or digging into the trends shaping the world of work, HR Topics has something for you. Need something specific? Check out SHRM's specialized resource hub pages for niche and noteworthy topics.
Civility at Work
Workplace miscommunications and misunderstandings are common. Explore these three scenarios to learn how to diffuse tension and promote respectful communication.
The workplace is full of people with diverse backgrounds and personality traits, which can lead to conflict. Experts say it’s important to remember that your co-workers are not deliberately trying to annoy you. Understand that everyone has different behaviors, habits, and norms, many of which are derived from their culture. The goal isn’t to get people to change, but to find a way to work together.
Workplace interactions are increasingly virtual, with much of communication happening over email, Slack, and Zoom. Rude and uncivil behavior—damaging enough when it occurs in person—is now taking place online, which can make it even more insidious, according to researchers.
Over 6 in 10 U.S. adults believe businesses should refrain from taking public stances on political issues, according to a new survey. The findings suggest that people of nearly all age groups, genders, races, and political party affiliations have become weary of political expression in the workplace.
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AI in the Workplace
SHRM President and CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, appeared on the TODAY show on Sept 10. to chat about the annual return to work as summer vacations wind down—and the “re-entry shock” that often accompanies it.
New York City’s law regulating the use of automated employment decision tools in hiring and promotions entered its enforcement phase July 5 after months of delays.
Workers tend to react negatively to on-the-job surveillance of any kind, but recent research from Cornell University found that being monitored by AI in particular results in even more dissatisfaction and greater resistance.
Compensation and Benefits
The monthly median amount that employees will spend on benefits in 2024—excluding retirement savings—is down from the previous two years, data finds. That reveals a troubling trend ahead of open enrollment, experts said.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed an interpretive rule that would require earned wage access apps to disclose more information to borrowers, including more details of associated fees and costs.
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Inclusion and Diversity
The chief diversity officer at the American Heart Association spoke with SHRM Online about how employers can play a key role in promoting health equity and offered tips for tackling health disparities in the workplace.
When interviewing with a company, look for these clues and ask these questions to find out if the organization prioritizes inclusivity and diversity.
Focusing on nontraditional applicants, like those with disabilities and criminal histories, can reshape your workforce for the better. With accommodation and training, these candidates can bring commitment, loyalty, and fresh perspectives to your organization.
Talent Acquisition
Employers remain free to require new hires to enter into restrictive covenants incident to their employment, consistent with governing state law.
Learn about the impact of accuracy on workplace safety, the role of AI in screenings, and emerging trends in employment background checks and drug testing.
U.S. employers added 142,000 new jobs in August, a solid number but below expectations and yet another signal of a continued slowdown in the labor market, according to the latest employment report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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