10个方法让你更好地营销人力资源科技10 Ways to Become a Better HR Tech Marketer为有效拓展并参与到人力资源领域，人力资源科技公司应该采取全面的市场营销策略，囊括多种渠道，响应目标群众，展现价值主张。具体步骤包括：理解人力资源领域，强调投资回报率，创造有价值的内容，与行业影响者合作，细分受众，参与行业会议，展现前沿行业思想，加强线上展现力，培养客户友好关系，跟踪前沿趋势。人力资源营销的成功需要时间的积累与不懈的努力。祝你好运！
To effectively reach and engage the HR community, HR technology firms should adopt a comprehensive marketing strategy that encompasses various channels, resonates with the target audience, and demonstrates value proposition.
为加强营销力量，以下是行动策略的具体步骤：
Here’s a breakdown of actionable strategies to enhance marketing efforts:
Understand the HR community: Thoroughly understanding the needs, challenges, and aspirations of HR professionals is crucial for crafting relevant and impactful marketing messages. Conduct surveys, engage in industry forums, and interview HR leaders to gain insights into their preferences and pain points.
Highlight the ROI: HR professionals are data-driven and results-oriented. Clearly demonstrate the return on investment （ROI） of your HR technology solutions. Quantify the benefits, such as cost savings, increased efficiency, or improved employee productivity.
Create valuable content: Develop informative and engaging content that addresses the specific needs of HR professionals. Produce blog posts, white papers, infographics, and case studies showcasing real-world success stories.
Leverage industry influencers: Partner with industry thought leaders, bloggers, and social media influencers to reach a wider audience. Collaborate on content creation, webinars, and social media campaigns to gain credibility and trust.
Engage in targeted outreach: Utilize digital marketing tools to target HR professionals with personalized messaging. Segment your audience based on their roles, industries, and interests to deliver relevant content and offers.
Attend industry events: Actively participate in HR conferences, trade shows, and networking events to connect with potential customers and showcase your solutions. Build relationships with key decision-makers and industry peers.
Demonstrate thought leadership: Establish your company as a trusted resource by sharing expert insights and perspectives on HR trends and challenges. Contribute to industry publications, participate in panel discussions, and offer webinars to position your brand as a leader.
Build a strong online presence: Develop a user-friendly and informative website that clearly communicates your value proposition and showcases your solutions. Utilize social media platforms to engage with HR professionals, share content, and respond to inquiries promptly.
Nurture customer relationships: Prioritize customer satisfaction by providing excellent customer support and proactively addressing any concerns. Gather feedback regularly to improve your products, services, and marketing strategies.
Stay up-to-date with trends: Continuously monitor emerging HR trends and technologies to ensure your marketing efforts remain relevant and aligned with the evolving needs of the industry.
HR Tech marketing is all about being persistent and consistent over time.
Good luck!
SOURCE HRTECHFEED
资讯
2024年01月23日
资讯
改善居家办公问责制的7个方法受漫长的疫情影响以及网络通讯日益方便迅捷，居家办公了越来越合理化。居家办公成为职场大势，而管理者通常认为居家办公会严重影响员工工作效率。事实上，与其一味心里过滤不如正视其好处，适应混合式和多元化工作。
想了解居家办公问责制，就要知道是居家办公问责制的什么，其好处是什么，以及七个改善团队或企业问责制的方法。
居家办公（WFH）是许多美国专业人士的新型常态，无论是全职的远程工作还是混合式工作。然而，这种工作制度给企业和员工带来许多利益的同时也带来了特别的挑战——尤其是问责制的问题。没有了传统的办公环境，办公效率以及办公可靠度就需要刻意努力和有效的策略来维持。
在这篇文章中，我们将探讨如何改善居家办公的问责制，让个人和团队在这种新的工作环境下蓬勃发展。
What is work-from-home accountability?
什么是居家办公问责制？
Accountability is taking ownership of one’s actions, decisions and outcomes in the remote work context. This means being responsible for meeting deadlines, maintaining quality levels and honoring commitments made to colleagues and stakeholders.
When working from home, it’s important to establish clear expectations and guidelines for accountability. This includes:
Defining specific goals and objectives
Setting realistic deadlines
Providing regular feedback
Giving support
Accountability in remote work also requires effective communication. Inform all team members about progress, challenges and any changes that may affect the workflow. This promotes transparency and allows for better collaboration and problem-solving among teams.
Benefits of work-from-home accountability
居家办公问责制的好处
To enhance accountability in remote work, it’s important to recognize its significance. Some of the benefits of focusing on accountability in remote workers include:
Improved responsibility: When people hold themselves accountable for their work, they’re more likely to step up and take responsibility for the outcome of their tasks. This also gives employees a sense of accomplishment and improves job satisfaction.
More transparency: When you set clear expectations for remote teams, it’s easier for them to be clear about what they’re working on and when they may need help. This also increases trust among team members.
Improved collaboration: Remote team accountability helps employees collaborate by outlining who’s responsible for what, so they know who to communicate with to ensure work is completed.
Fewer missed deadlines: When working remotely, it’s easy to let deadlines slide past without colleagues reminding you when work is due. Improving accountability among WFH team members helps reduce the number of missed deadlines and streamlines workflows.
Better work-life balance: Accountability also improves work-life balance for employees by making sure no team members have to pick up the slack for others.
7 ways to improve work-from-home accountability
改善居家办公问责制的7个方法
Leaders and managers can establish and improve WFH accountability through a few methods. Every organization is different, so you’ll need to find what works best for your situation.
1. Set a clear WFH policy
建立明确的WFH政策
The first step in establishing WFH accountability is to have a clear policy in place. It’s a good idea to ensure team members have buy-in so they don’t feel that they can’t follow the rules. Some items your policy should cover should include expected working hours, hybrid schedules and technology usage policies. Some virtual teams may work on their own schedules and timelines while others will need to have set hours in place to ensure collaboration. Many virtual teams will need more structure than others. It’s important your policy encompasses the best system for your entire organization. Work with your managers and team leaders to find out what policies will work best for everyone.
2. Clarify responsibilities
明确职责
If employees know what’s expected of them, they’ll be more likely to hold themselves accountable to those expectations. Make sure you set clear goals, deadlines and benchmarks so employees can hold themselves to them. Workers need to know what they’re responsible for and who to ask if a project is running late or they need more help. Key performance indicators (KPIs) help teams measure the quality and efficiency of their work to make changes where needed. This is particularly important in a remote work environment where team members don’t have regular physical interactions with each other.
3. Provide the right tools
提供合适的工具
Remote employees may need additional technology and tools to communicate, collaborate and complete tasks. Make sure you provide your teams with the right technology to help them meet goals and stay on track. Virtual teams will need the right communication tool for team meetings, plus project management and collaboration tools to keep each other accountable in real time. Time management and tracking tools help teams determine how to assign project deadlines and prioritize as well. Cloud-based systems help employees work from anywhere and at any time, helping them complete projects when working from home or traveling. Leadership also needs specialized software like ActivTrak to maintain visibility and manage hybrid and remote workforces.
4. Encourage clear communication
鼓励清晰的交流
The best-performing virtual teams are those who can communicate regularly and clearly about their work. Many of the tools you provide your team members will help them communicate about work status, bottlenecks and processes. However, you should also encourage communication among teams through other means, such as weekly newsletters and quarterly all-staff meetings. Just make sure that you’re not scheduling unnecessary meetings for your team’s needs.
5. Give regular check-ins
日常打卡
Beyond clear communication about the team or organization as a whole, structured check-ins for individual employees helps ensure work-from-home policies are working for each person. Give employees a chance to voice their concerns with existing policies or let their managers know where they may be struggling. This also provides an opportunity for managers to help employees see where they’re hitting goals or where they may need to work harder. WFH environments may change over time as your team members and their needs change, so flexibility and regular feedback are key.
6. Measure productivity
衡量工作效率
Remote employee management requires understanding how your teams work best and what blockers may keep them from productivity. One way to make sure you’re setting realistic goals and that team members are accountable for their work when they work from home is to monitor productivity. There are many benefits to using WFH productivity tracking software like ActivTrak, including helping team members with time management, task management and accountability. It also gives your leaders insight to make decisions driven by data rather than guesswork, so you can see where workflows and processes may need tweaking or what’s working for your remote teams. You can also see if team members may be working too much or too little and redistribute the workload as needed.
7. Reward employees for achievements
员工成就奖励
Create a culture of engagement by rewarding employees for being accountable and meeting （or exceeding） expectations. Bonuses, extra paid time off or gifts can be special rewards, but even publicly praising employees for their contributions can go a long way toward improving accountability in your team. Other rewards can include new opportunities to further their careers or take on new challenges. Different teams and employees will have different needs for feeling valued and rewarded, so let your managers find the best way to let employees know they’re appreciated.
Use ActivTrak to improve work-from-home accountability
If you’re ready to take the next step to enhance work-from-home accountability for your team, ActivTrak offers a comprehensive workforce analytics platform customizable to your needs. Get insights to assess and improve employee productivity and well-being and gain visibility into how work gets done within your company. Use data to inform key decisions and optimize outcomes for your remote or hybrid teams. To see how ActivTrak can empower your team, contact our sales team for a free demo.
SOURCE ActivTrak
资讯
2024年01月22日
资讯
温馨提示：加州雇主必须在 2024 年 2 月 14 日之前通知员工竞业禁止无效
作为NACSHR专业社群，让您的全球受众了解就业法律的重大变化非常重要，尤其是在美国这样的主要经济体。加利福尼亚州关于非竞争协议的最新进展就是一个很好的例子。以下是可能与您的读者相关的摘要和要点：
法律的主要变化：自 2024 年 1 月 1 日起，加州几乎所有形式的员工竞业禁止协议和条款都将失效。这是就业法的重大转变，反映出美国限制非竞争协议可执行性的趋势日益明显。
雇主义务：从 2024 年 1 月 1 日起，加州雇主有 44 天的时间通知所有现任和前任员工（在过去两年内受雇并签订过竞业禁止协议的员工）这一变化。通知必须告知员工，之前的任何竞业禁止协议现已失效。
通知方式：雇主必须通过邮件和电子邮件发送此通知，确保所有受影响的员工都能充分知晓。
违规处罚：未遵守通知要求的雇主可能会面临每次最高 2,500 美元的处罚。这强调了遵守新法规的重要性。
执法：虽然这项新法规的执行主要由加州总检察长和其他政府检察官负责，但从加州起诉违反非竞争协议行为的历史来看，雇主最好采取积极主动的态度。
全球影响：对于全球人力资源专业人士而言，了解这些变化至关重要，尤其是对于在加州开展业务的跨国公司而言。这一发展可能会影响雇佣合同谈判和人力资源实践。
这些信息对您的读者至关重要，可帮助他们深入了解重要司法管辖区不断演变的就业法律，并强调随时更新国际人力资源法律要求的重要性。
WHAT’S THE IMPACT?
Employers must send notices to the last known mailing and email address of every current and former employee who worked under a non-compete after January 1, 2022.
The notice must state that any noncompete to which the employee was bound is now void.
Failure to comply with the Valentine’s Day deadline will trigger Unfair Competition Law penalties up to $2500 per violation.
As an HR professional and editor, it's important to keep your global audience informed about significant changes in employment laws, especially in major economies like the United States. The recent development in California regarding non-compete agreements is a prime example. Here's a summary and key points that might be relevant for your readers:
Key Change in Law: As of January 1, 2024, California has invalidated nearly all forms of employee non-compete agreements and clauses. This is a significant shift in employment law, reflecting a growing trend in the U.S. towards limiting the enforceability of non-competes.
Employer Obligations: California employers now have a 44-day window, starting from January 1, 2024, to notify all current and former employees (who were employed in the last two years and had a non-compete agreement) about this change. The notification must inform employees that any previous non-compete agreements are now void.
Method of Notification: Employers are required to send this notification via mail and email, ensuring that all affected employees are adequately informed.
Penalties for Non-Compliance: Employers who fail to comply with this notification requirement could face penalties of up to $2,500 for each violation. This underscores the importance of adhering to the new regulation.
Enforcement: While enforcement of this new regulation is primarily the responsibility of the California Attorney General and other government attorneys, the state's history in prosecuting non-compete violations suggests a proactive approach from employers is advisable.
Global Implications: For HR professionals worldwide, understanding these changes is crucial, especially for multinational corporations with operations in California. This development could influence employment contract negotiations and HR practices.
This information could be vital for your readers, offering them insights into evolving employment laws in a key jurisdiction and highlighting the importance of staying updated with international HR legal requirements.
资讯
2024年01月22日
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Experience and Insights in the Staffing Domain in Human ResourcesShaukhiHashim是The RuMa酒店公寓的董事，有十余年的酒店招聘经验。他提出了几个招聘中的要点，包括人才招聘与企业整体战略的符合，候选人对企业文化的理解，工作环境多样性与包容性，入职流程与留住员工，数据运用与数据分析。对人力资源招聘有很大的参考作用。
For decades, the field of human resources （HR） has evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of businesses and organizations. One of the important functions of the human resources department is staffing. This involves identifying, attracting, selecting, and retaining employees to achieve organizational goals. Over the years, staffing has become increasingly complex, requiring HR professionals to develop insight and experience to effectively meet talent acquisition and management challenges.
As a seasoned HR professional with over a decade of experience in staffing in hospitality, I have faced various challenges and gained important insights that have shaped my understanding of the complexities of HR management.
One of the most important insights I have gained in the staffing domain is the importance of aligning talent acquisition with the organization`s overall business strategy. To be successful, HR professionals must have a deep understanding of the organization's goals and the specific skills and competencies needed to achieve those goals. This requires close collaboration with key stakeholders, including senior leadership, department heads, and hiring managers. By understanding the organization's strategic priorities, HR can ensure that the staffing efforts are aligned with the broader business goals, ultimately delivering a more impactful and purposeful workforce. Unlike other industries, hotels have different departments, each with unique roles and responsibilities. From housekeeping to reception to catering, each department requires different skills and qualifications. As HR professionals, it is important to have a clear understanding of these requirements to effectively recruit the right candidates and place them in the right positions.
In addition to strategic alignment and effective communication, I have learned the value of understanding and driving the organization's culture throughout the hiring process. Culture fit is a critical factor in the long-term success of new hires, and HR professionals must be able to identify and assess candidates who will thrive within the organization's unique work environment. This requires a strong understanding of the organization's values, rules, and expectations, as well as the role of accurately assessing a candidate's cultural alignment throughout the hiring process. This involvement enables tighter demand forecasting and staffing performance, which ultimately leads to greater staff satisfaction and better guest service.
Another important insight I have gained in the staffing domain is the significance of diversity and inclusion in the hiring process. In today's globalized world, organizations must recognize the value of a diverse workforce and its benefits. Diversity in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, age, and background can drive innovation, creativity, and adaptability in the workplace. As an HR professional, it is crucial to ensure that the staffing efforts are inclusive and promote equal opportunities for all candidates. This involves implementing fair and unbiased selection processes, addressing unconscious bias, and actively seeking out diverse talent pools.
Once the right candidates are selected, the onboarding process plays a crucial role in their retention and success within the organization. Providing new employees with a comprehensive orientation program that familiarizes them with the company's culture, policies, and expectations sets them up for success from day one. Ongoing support and development opportunities should also be provided to ensure continuous growth and engagement.
Throughout my experience in the staffing domain, I have also realized the importance of data and analytics in HR management. Tracking and analyzing key metrics, such as time-to-fill, cost-per-hire, and retention rates, can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the staffing process. By leveraging data, HR professionals can identify areas for improvement, optimize recruitment strategies, and make data-driven decisions to enhance overall staffing performance.
The staffing domain in HR management is a complex and evolving field that requires HR professionals to have insight and experience to effectively attract, select, and retain talent. Aligning staffing efforts with the organization's business strategy, recognizing the importance of culture fit and diversity, implementing efficient recruitment and selection processes, providing comprehensive onboarding, and leveraging data and analytics are key aspects to consider navigating the challenges and ensure successful staffing outcomes.
SOURCE ManageHR
资讯
2024年01月22日
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Employers, Employees Disconnected over AI-related Job DisplacementsLooking at the fast-growing AI age, generative AI is having a great impact on job security. Most employees have expressed their 'psychologically unsafe' at work, while most employers are unconcerned about this. In fact, in order to generate values more efficiently, leaders are supposed to be open to generative AI and upskill their employees.
'Misaligned perceptions' among leaders, employees erode trust, report says.
Employers and employees are not seeing eye to eye when it comes to the impact of generative AI in the workplace, hindering trust and preventing organisations from unlocking the potential of the technology at work.
This is according to a new report from Accenture after collecting data from over 7,000 C-suite leaders and 5,000 employees of large organisations across 19 countries.
According to the report,58%of employees are worried about generative AI's impact on job security.
This comes amid recent research from the International Monetary Fund saying the rapid rise of AI will expose nearly 40% of jobs worldwide, while another report from Goldman Sachs said it will put at risk 300 million jobs.
C-suite not concerned about AI
But members of the C-suite don't appear too concerned about this outcome, as the report found that less than one-third of them feel job displacement is a concern for people.
It also found a disconnect between employees and the C-suite when it comes to how gen AI will affect well-being.
For 60% of employees, they believe it will increase stress and burnout, while only 37% of leaders see this as an issue.
These disconnected views contribute to the lack of trust from employees, who don't believe their organisations will ensure positive outcomes when utilising generative AI, according to the report.
"Misaligned perceptions between leaders and workers also erode trust," the report said. "This lack of trust puts the trifecta of opportunities at risk."
'Trifecta of opportunities'
The report outlined three opportunities that organisations can maximise when it comes to gen AI and they are:
Accelerating economic value
Increasing productivity that drives business
Fostering more creative and meaningful work of people
But the lack of trust from their employees are preventing these organisations from leveraging these opportunities, despite 95% of them saying they see the value in working with AI, according to the report.
Role of leaders in gen AI integration
It also comes as two-thirds of employees said they don't have the technology and change leadership expertise to drive the reinvention need to take advantage of AI, according to the report.
"There's a way, however, for leaders to close the trust gap and accelerate gen AI integration: Look at and emulate how leading organisations are leveraging gen AI in ways that are better for business and better for people," the report said.
Only nine per cent of organisations in the survey were classified as "reinventors," who have achieved the capability for continuous reinvention and have maximised the potential of AI.
More than half of these reinventors are already redesigning jobs and roles around AI as steps to reshape the workforce, according to the report.
"Key to all of this: three-quarters are actively involving their people in their enterprise change efforts, while reskilling people," the report said.
These organisations are being transparent to employees throughout the process to establish and foster trust, according to the report.
Ellyn Shook, chief leadership and human resources officer, Accenture, underscored the role of leaders in the transition to gen AI.
"Success starts with leaders who are willing to learn and lead in new ways, to scale gen AI responsibly, to create value and ensure work improves for everyone," Shook said in a statement.
"It starts with asking a simple question: are people 'net better off' working here? This not only unlocks people's potential and drives bottom-line growth, but also paves the way for workers feeling comfortable, trusting and ready to work with gen AI. What we've learned from the past as leaders is that what happens next is up to us. The best outcomes are ours to shape."
SOURCE HRD
资讯
2024年01月22日
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Trends in Employment Law Employers Should be Aware of
With 2023 here, it’s time to look ahead to key issues affecting employers in the coming year. Notably, these issues share a major driver: remote and hybrid work models. Here’s a peek at top labour and employment law trends for employers to watch out for in 2023.
Changes in the labour laws will continue to impact many workplace practices, including vaccination requirements, hybrid and remote work, travel restrictions, and ensuring workers with underserved opportunities can access the labour market. These inquiries will require outside labour attorneys and in-house legal counsel to answer and comprehend. As the area of labour and employment law develops over the coming years, employers must take into account the following trends.
Quelling Quiet Quitting: On social media, the idea of quiet quitting—where a person continues to work but ceases to go above and beyond, performing only what is officially required—has received a lot of attention. Employers are starting to face a serious problem as workers place more value on the "life" component of the work-life balance equation. Employers are also attempting to determine what, if anything, can be done about it. The good news is that employers have resources at their disposal to combat quiet resignation, such as:
Written employment contracts: Employee rights, obligations, and expectations will be made plain to employees through a well-crafted and effectively implemented written employment contract that includes explicit terms regarding work assignments, working hours, and pay. This document may also grant the authority to terminate an employee if they fail to uphold those conditions.
Incentive compensation: Offering incentives to employees for exceeding performance goals, such as bonuses, paid time off, or other rewards, may encourage them to put in the extra effort. However, it's crucial to carefully craft incentive plans to avoid future liability for them even after the employment relationship has ended.
"When there is a fierce talent competition, a voluntary “disconnecting from work” policy that is (well-drafted and effectively administered) sends a message to both present and potential employees that an employer is eager to help workers balance their home and work life."
Job satisfaction: Consider ways to improve job satisfaction, which is less of a legal concern than an engagement one. For instance, refusing to offer remote work opportunities can induce disengagement, which in turn can lead to employee dissatisfaction. Employers have the authority to determine an employee's place of employment. So, take into account the model that will benefit the staff and the company equally.
Progressive discipline: While employers have the right to control the workplace, they can only expect adequate - not exceptional - performances from their employees. If an employee's performance falls below a certain threshold, the employer may gradually penalise the employee for poor performance and, ultimately, terminate their employment. However, companies always have the option to fire employees without cause as long as they receive the proper amount of notice or compensation.
Demands to Disconnect: Employee requests for more flexibility have led to the retention of remote and hybrid work arrangements post-pandemic, which has led to rising employee demands for a "right to disconnect." Employees' "right to disconnect" often refers to their decision to disengage from communication about their jobs post-working hours. Employers may decide to implement a voluntary "disconnecting from work" policy as a recruitment and retention strategy even if they are not legally compelled to do so. Due to COVID-19, a lot of employers have switched to a hybrid or remote work model, which has caused the distinction between personal and professional lives to become hazier. When there is a fierce talent competition, a voluntary "disconnecting from work" policy that is (well-drafted and effectively administered) sends a message to both present and potential employees that an employer is eager to help workers balance their home and work life.
More Employee Monitoring: With remote or hybrid work arrangements becoming more prevalent, employers are exploring how to monitor employees generally and remote workers specifically.
Maintaining compliance with all federal and state labour laws and regulations is integral to running a business. In addition to being among the easiest to violate, labour and employment regulations are also among the most important.
SOURCE Manage HR
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2024年01月21日
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Rest and Lunch Break Laws in Every US State (2024)Employee meal and rest break rights depend on their own laws according to their state. Meal, rest and minor breaks are detailed below for states of Alabama, Alaska, California….
Summary
Federal law does not require meal or rest breaks. – More
Some states have laws requiring meal and rest breaks – failing to comply can result in severe fines and even lawsuits.
Employers can reduce their risk exposure by automatically scheduling meal breaks and recording them on timesheets with the right software. – More
When it comes to rest and lunch breaks, it’s easy for managers to assume that a few minutes here and there won’t make a difference.
However, this is simply not the case. We’ve seen break-rule violations result in costly lawsuits over the past several years.
In April of 2022, an Oregon healthcare facility filed a lawsuit with the federal court system to overturn the state’s detailed meal and rest break rules. It’s an attempt to get out of nearly $100 million in fines due to persistent violations of employee meal and rest break rights dating all the way back to 2015.
What’s confusing is that if this healthcare facility was in a different state, say Arkansas, these violations and fines would not exist.
Federal guidance on the subject of lunch breaks is slim to none – but state laws concerning paid and unpaid breaks vary.
It’s important to understand what state-specific rules do and do not apply to your business. While these rules can be convoluted, it is actually quite easy to comply these days with the right scheduling software in place.
Federal break laws
No federal law requires companies to offer breaks during work hours for meals or any other purpose.
However, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, federal law says that if a company chooses to allow break periods, any break under 20 minutes should be paid, and any over 30 minutes can be unpaid and classified as “off-the-clock.”
So, in essence, the federal government leaves it up to the employer. Rest breaks (under 20 minutes) are paid, and meal breaks (over 30 minutes) are unpaid. If a state has no laws regarding breaks, these federal standards automatically apply.
State break laws
It is up to the states to choose their own lunch and rest break laws. Some states default to the federal policy, while others have their own set of specific regulations to follow.
All meal and rest break laws only apply to non-exempt employees. For exempt employees receiving over $23,000 annually, breaks are at the employer’s discretion.
Find your state below and click on it to see its rest and lunch break rules:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Alabama
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break:14-15-year-old employees who work more than 5 continuous hours get a 30-minute break.
Alabama defaults to federal law regarding breaks for workers aged 16+. If an employer chooses to provide a break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Alaska
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: Minors ages 14-17 who work 5+ consecutive hours get a 30-minute break.
Alaska defaults to federal law regarding breaks for workers aged 18 and over. If an employer chooses to provide a break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Arizona
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: None
Arizona defaults to federal law regarding breaks for all workers. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Arkansas
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: None
Arkansas defaults to federal law regarding breaks for workers of all ages. If an employer chooses to provide a break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than this do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
The state does have a special lactation break law. Employers must provide reasonable unpaid break time to employees who are lactating. These breaks must be taken in a private place close to their work area (not a bathroom stall).
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California
Meal Break:
Employees get a 30-minute paid meal break during a shift that is longer than five consecutive hours. If the employee is relieved of regular work duties and can leave the premises during their break, the break goes unpaid. But if these requirements are not met, the break must be paid at the regular rate of pay.
An employee may also waive their lunch break upon mutual consent with management if a workday will be completed in six hours or fewer.
If a work shift is longer than 10 hours, a second 30-minute rest break must be provided. If a total of 12 hours or fewer are worked in a day, this second meal break may be waived, but only if the first meal period was not waived. Employees who work longer than 15 hours get an additional third 30-minute break. If they work longer than 20 hours, they get a fourth 30-minute break.
If an employer fails to provide an employee a meal break during a shift, they owe the employee one extra hour of pay at the employee’s regular rate.
Rest Break:
Employees get a 10-minute paid rest break every 4 hours. A 10-minute break is not required for work time totaling less than three and a half hours.
Employees working in extreme weather conditions must also be provided with a five-minute “recovery period” in a protected environment in addition to their meal and rest break.
For every day an employee is forced to work through one or more of their rest breaks, their employer must pay them one additional hour of wages at the regular rate.
Minor Break: N/A
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Colorado
Meal Break:30minutes for employees who work 5+ hours. If the break is “duty-free” it goes unpaid. However, if a “duty-free” meal is not possible, the employee may take an “on-duty” meal, in which case the employee must be paid.
Rest Break:10minutes paid per 4 hours worked only for employees in the retail, food and beverage, commercial support, health, and medical industries.
Minor Break: N/A
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Connecticut
Meal Break: 30 minutes for non-exempt employees who work at least 7.5 hours. Employers are exempt from this requirement only if:
Complying endangers public safety
The duties of the position can only be done by one employee
Fewer than five employees are working a shift in a particular location
Operations require employees to be available to respond to urgent conditions
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: N/A
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Delaware
Meal Break: Unpaid 30 minutes for employees 18+ who work at least 7.5 hours. Meal breaks must be given sometime after the first two hours of work and before the last two hours of work. Employers are exempt from this requirement only if:
Complying endangers public safety
The duties of the position can only be done by one employee
Fewer than five employees are working a shift in a particular location
Operations require employees to be available to respond to urgent conditions
There exists a collective bargaining agreement that provides otherwise
The employee is employed by a local school board to work directly with children
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: 30 minutes for employees under 18 for every 5 consecutive hours of work.
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Florida
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: 30 minutes for employees under 18 who work more than 4 hours.
Florida defaults to federal law regarding breaks for workers aged 18 and over. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Georgia
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: None
Georgia defaults to federal law regarding breaks for all workers. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Hawaii
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: 30 minutes for 14 and 15-year-old employees who work five consecutive hours
Hawaii defaults to federal law regarding breaks for workers aged 16 and over. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Idaho
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: None
Hawaii defaults to federal law regarding breaks for all workers. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Illinois
Meal Break: At least 20 minutes unpaid for employees who work 7.5+ continuous hours. Must be given no later than five hours after beginning work.
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: At least 30 minutes for employees under 16 who work 5+ hours.
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Indiana
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break:1-2 breaks totaling 30 minutes for employees under 18 who work at least six consecutive hours.
Indiana defaults to federal law regarding breaks for workers aged 18+. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Iowa
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: At least 30 minutes for employees under the age of 16 who work 5+ consecutive hours.
Iowa defaults to federal law regarding breaks for workers aged 16 and over. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Kansas
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: None
Kansas defaults to federal law regarding breaks for all workers. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Kentucky
Meal Break: Reasonable unpaid break period (typically 20-30 minutes long) after the third and before the fifth hour of work for employees who work 5+ consecutive hours.
Rest Break: 10 minutes after every 4 hours of work.
Minor Break: N/A
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Louisiana
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: At least 30 minutes unpaid for employees under 18 who work five consecutive hours
Louisiana defaults to federal law regarding breaks for workers aged 18 and over. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Maine
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: At least 30 minutes unpaid for all employees who work 6+ hours, but only if there are three or more people on duty.
Minor Break: N/A
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Maryland
Meal Break: None for the majority of employees. However, under the Healthy Retail Employee Act, retail organizations with 50+ staff operating for 20+ calendar weeks must give employees a 30-minute meal break if they work a shift that is longer than six hours.
Rest Break: Under the Healthy Retail Employee Act, certain retail employees are entitled to 15-minute breaks when they work shifts that last 4-6 hours. Employees who work for 8+ hours receive an additional 15-minute break for every additional four hours worked.
Minor Break: 30 minutes for employees under 18 for every five consecutive hours of work.
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Massachusetts
Meal Break: 30 minutes unpaid for employees who work 6+ hours, excluding those in factory and mechanical establishments.
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: N/A
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Michigan
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: At least 30 minutes for employees under 18 if they work more than 5 consecutive hours.
Michigan defaults to federal law regarding breaks for workers aged 18 and over. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Minnesota
Meal Break: Sufficient unpaid time to eat a meal for employees who work 8+ hours. Must be paid if less than 20 minutes.
Rest Break: Sufficient time to use the restroom every 4 hours.
Minor Break: N/A
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Mississippi
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: None
Mississippi defaults to federal law regarding breaks for all workers. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Missouri
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: None
Missouri defaults to federal law regarding breaks for all workers. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Montana
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: None
Montana defaults to federal law regarding breaks for all workers. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Nebraska
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: At least 30 minutes per 8-hour shift for assembling plant, workshop, or mechanical establishment employees.
Minor Break: None
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Nevada
Meal Break: At least 30 minutes for employees working 8+ continuous hours.
Rest Break: At least 10 minutes paid every 4 hours. This break is not typically required if an employee’s total work time is less than three and a half hours.
Minor Break: N/A
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New Hampshire
Meal Break: 30 minutes for employees who work 5+ consecutive hours.
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: N/A
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New Jersey
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: At least 30 minutes for employees under 18 who work 5+ hours.
New Jersey defaults to federal law regarding breaks for workers aged 18 and over. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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New Mexico
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: None
New Mexico defaults to federal law regarding breaks for all workers. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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New York
Meal Break:30minutes for employees who work 6+ hours between 11 am and 2 pm. 45 minutes for employees midway through a 6+ hour shift that starts between 1 pm and 6 am. An additional 20 minutes between 5 pm and 7 pm for those working a shift starting before 11 am and continuing after 7 pm.
Different rules apply to factory workers. They get a 1-hour lunch period anywhere between 11 am and 2 pm for 6+ hour shifts or a 60-minute break midway through a shift of more than 6 hours that starts between 1 pm and 6 am.
Rest Break: 24 consecutive hours per week
Minor Break: N/A
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North Carolina
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: At least 30 minutes for employees under 16 who work 5+ hour shifts.
North Carolina defaults to federal law regarding breaks for workers aged 16+. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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North Dakota
Meal Break: 30 minutes unpaid for employees who work 5+ hours when two or more employees are on duty.
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: N/A
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Ohio
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: At least 30 minutes unpaid for employees under 18 working five consecutive hours or more.
Ohio defaults to federal law regarding breaks for workers aged 18+. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Oklahoma
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: At least 30 minutes for every 5 hours worked and 1 hour for every 8 hours worked for employees under 16.
Oklahoma defaults to federal law regarding breaks for workers aged 16 and over. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Oregon
Meal Break: At least 30 minutes, unpaid, uninterrupted, and relieved of all duties, must be provided per 6 hours worked. No meal break is required for shifts under 6 hours.
6-14 hours: 1 break
14-22 hours: 2 breaks
22-24 hours: 3 breaks
Rest Break: 10 minutes paid based on hours worked.
2-6 hours: 1 break
6-10 hours: 2 breaks
10-14 hours: 3 breaks
14-18 hours: 4 breaks
18-22 hours: 5 breaks
22-24 hours: 6 breaks
Minor Break: Workers under 18 receive the same meal breaks as adults; however, it is required that they get 15-minute rest breaks rather than 10-minute breaks.
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Pennsylvania
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: 30 minutes per 5 hours for workers under 18 years of age.
Pennsylvania defaults to federal law regarding breaks for workers aged 18 and over. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Rhode Island
Meal Break: 20 minutes for employees who work 6 hours and 30 minutes for employees who work 8+ hours. The break may be unpaid if the employee is relieved of all duties.
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: N/A
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South Carolina
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: None
South Carolina defaults to federal law regarding breaks for all workers. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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South Dakota
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: None
South Dakota defaults to federal law regarding breaks for all workers. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Tennessee
Meal Break: At least 30 minutes for employees who work 6+ hours
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: N/A
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Texas
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: None
Texas defaults to federal law regarding breaks for all workers. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Utah
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: At least 30 minutes for lunch no later than 5 hours into the workday for employees under 18. They must also be given a 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked and cannot work 3+ consecutive hours without a 10-minute break.
Utah defaults to federal law regarding breaks for workers aged 18 and over. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Vermont
Meal Break: Employees must have a “reasonable opportunity” to eat and use the restroom. This opportunity must be paid if it is less than 20 minutes.
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: N/A
Vermont has a special lactation break law requiring employers to provide reasonable break time throughout the day to employees who are lactating. It is left to the employer’s discretion whether these breaks are paid or unpaid unless denoted by a collective bargaining agreement.
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Virginia
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: At least 30 minutes for employees under 16 who work 5+ consecutive hours.
Virginia defaults to federal law regarding breaks for workers aged 16 and over. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Washington
Meal Break:30minutes for every 5 consecutive hours worked, given not less than 2 hours nor more than 5 hours from the beginning of a shift (excludes agricultural employees). 30 additional minutes for employees who work at least 3 hours past the time they normally end their shift. Unpaid if the employee is completely free of duties.
Rest Break: At least 10 minutes for every 4 hours worked.
Minor Break: 14 and 15-year-old employees must have a 30-minute meal break before working 4 consecutive hours. A 30-minute meal break is required for employees ages 16 and 17 no less than 2 hours but no more than 5 hours from the beginning of their shift.
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West Virginia
Meal Break: 20 minutes for employees who work 6+ hours.
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: At least 30 minutes if scheduled to work over 5 hours.
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Wisconsin
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: 30 minutes duty-free for employees under 18 working 6+ consecutive hours. 16 and 17-year-olds must have 8 hours of rest between shifts if scheduled after 8 pm.
Wisconsin defaults to federal law regarding breaks for workers aged 18+. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Wyoming
Meal Break: None
Rest Break: None
Minor Break: None
Wyoming defaults to federal law regarding breaks for all workers. If an employer chooses to provide a meal break, it must be paid only if it lasts less than 20 minutes. Breaks lasting longer than 30 minutes are classified as meal periods and do not need to be paid, as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
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Meal vs. rest breaks
The main difference between a meal and a rest break is often its length. The typical meal break is 20-30 minutes and must be taken around midday, while a rest break is usually anywhere between 10-15 minutes and occurs at regular intervals throughout a shift.
As with lunch breaks, no federal labor law requires short breaks at work. Only 11 states have local laws requiring employers to offer rest periods during work hours, and these short breaks almost always come in addition to a meal break. For instance, Colorado requires a 30-minute meal break for 5+ hour shifts and a 10-minute break for every four hours of work.
Sometimes, however, it’s all just semantics.
Take Maine, for example. The Pine Tree State is the only one of these 11 states that does not have a “meal break” per see, but it does have a rest break, requiring 30 minutes for work periods of over six hours. Technically, it’s not a meal break, just a rest break, but you and I both know it’s used for lunch.
Minors and break laws
State laws typically afford minors more break leniency than adult employees. While most state meal break rules for adults automatically cover minors, some states have specific standards for those under 18. Delaware, for example, gives adults a 30-minute break for seven and a half hours worked while giving those under 18 the same break time for only five hours worked.
Some states with no adult lunch or rest break rules have unique break laws for minors. For instance, Louisiana and Michigan require employers to give 30-minute breaks to employees under 18 for shifts longer than five consecutive hours. However, In Hawaii, this same rule applies only to 14 and 15-year-olds.
Managing rest and meal breaks
If your state has specific rest break requirements, it’s essential that management understands them and takes appropriate action to uphold them. This, of course, is sometimes easier said than done.
Without the right protocols and tools in place, tracking breaks can be tough, especially in complicated states like California, Oregon, and New York. Luckily, there are many ways to automate the workload.
An online employee scheduling and time tracking platform like Workforce.com handles all break and employment law compliance for you, meaning staff will never miss breaks, and your business will never be penalized. Here are a few specific ways the cloud-based system helps you plan lunch breaks and calculate compensation accurately:
Auto-schedule compliant breaks
Workforce.com’s scheduling allows managers to automatically apply compliant meal and rest breaks to employee schedules according to local state laws. Employees can easily view these breaks from their phones, knowing exactly when to work and rest.
Capture break clock-out data
Via a time clock app, staff can temporarily clock out for breaks, and then clock back in once their break is over. This granular time clock data helps managers easily pinpoint non-compliant break times on timesheets.
Utilize time clock questions
Managers can create conditional questions that appear whenever an employee clocks out of a shift. These questions may ask things like “Did you waive your break?” or “Did you take your break?” depending on the length of the shift. Answers will automatically add all necessary premiums and allowances to timesheets, ensuring employees are always paid accurately.
Track breaks in real-time
With a live time clock feed, managers can see who’s working, who’s not, and who’s on break – all in one place and in real-time. This frontline visibility helps managers respond more quickly to lunch break non-compliance.
Manage break rules across state lines
Workforce.com has robust team and location functionality, letting you set up multiple locations on the platform. Break rules at each location can be configured according to local state laws, ensuring chains stay organized no matter where they are in the country.
Support staff and protect your business with better breaks
There are two key things managers can do right now to ensure their business stays on the right side of the law. One is to understand and adhere to whatever legislation applies in your state. The other is to be clear about what breaks are allowed, encourage staff to use them, and ensure they are accurately recorded.
Doing all of this manually is a huge task and is prone to human error. Use employee scheduling software instead to automate how breaks are administered. Pair it with a time and attendance system to log hours and wages accurately so you’ll never have to search old time cards and spreadsheets for the needed data. Sound intriguing? Get in touch with us today, let’s talk about it.
But getting break times right doesn’t just reduce your risk exposure – it also makes for happier employees.
Shift workers deserve their breaks. Routinely taking time during a shift to eat, rest, and recharge always helps productivity and, most importantly, mental health.
SOURCE Workforce
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2024年01月21日
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How to Learn More About Labor Relations
There’s a lot of talk about labor relations (i.e., union activity) in today’s news. While we’re reading about it more, the actual number of American workers that belong to unions is relatively small. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it’s 10.1% and only 6% in the private sector. So, it’s not unusual that individuals might not have much labor relations experience. That’s what today’s reader note is all about.
"I am looking for some direction. I love your emails and share them with my peers.
Can you suggest any online blog, certificate program, or course I can take that would help me interpret union contracts more effectively? I am struggling to understand the grey area of the language sometimes. What I interpret the language as saying is different than the original intent of the language and I get stuck. Any help or direction you could give would be great. Have a great day!"
When it comes to labor relations, one of the first things that individuals need to know is what legislation governs your industry. For instance, many organizations are governed by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). But some industries – like transportation – are governed by the Railway Labor Act. And if you’re in the public sector, the rules are different as well. So, understanding the rules is step one.
While I have some labor relations experience, I know someone who is a specialist in this area and thankfully, when I asked if he would share his expertise, he said “yes”. Michael VanDervort is a staff member with the Labor Relations Institute (LRI) in Tulsa Oklahoma. In his role, Michael specializes in creating thriving workplaces driven by positive associate relations. Before joining LRI, Michael worked in labor relations for Publix Super Markets and was executive director of CUE Inc., a non-profit, member-run organization dedicated to assisting companies in the creation and maintenance of positive working environments. Michael and I have known each other for years. We met as volunteer leaders with the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and HR Florida.
Michael, thanks for much for being here. Can you share with readers how you got started in labor relations?
[VanDervort] I grew up in Michigan at a time when the state was the center of the universe when it came to the auto industry and manufacturing, especially the UAW (United Auto Workers). My dad was a manufacturing supervisor at that time and would come home with paperwork that included lists of grievances that had been filed by employees, and he would have to write responses. I guess I was an HR nerd even then because I remember reading the complaints and saying,‘But why….??’ about all kinds of work-related complaints.
When I graduated with my bachelor’s, I originally planned to go to law school, but I decided to take a year off to earn some cash. I applied for and got hired into a job with the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier, and I joined the National Association of Letter Carriers Union (NALC). I became a union member, realized how bad the relationship between craft workers and postal management was, and started asking,‘But why…？’ again. I became active with the union, winding up as an elected official, but I knew I could do more.
A few years later, I applied to graduate school for my master’s in labor and industrial relations. I switched to the management side 35 years ago because that’s where you can make the most difference, and I have been doing this work ever since and still love it.
Before we start talking about the reader note, I want to ask about non-union environments. Why should HR professionals in non-union environments learn about labor relations?
[VanDervort] If you manage in a non-union environment, you have a blank slate for establishing a thriving workplace culture. If you do this well, your people will never need a union. That’s the first reason.
The second is that even though it may seem remote and esoteric to non-union practitioners, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is an influential agency with jurisdiction over many crucial aspects of the workplace that apply to all employers, regardless of union status. Any employee, including non-union employees covered by the NLRA, can file an unfair labor practice (ULP) charge with the NLRB and bring the Board to your front door. Most of these charges would be related to protected concerted activity for things like complaining about unfair treatment, being disciplined, or fired for sharing company information, or handbook policy violations.
The reader expressed interest in building their labor relations knowledge. If someone wants to learn more about the area of labor relations, can you name a handful of low-cost / no-cost resources?
[VanDervort] There are many newsletters and organizations that focus on labor relations in different ways, including professional organizations like:
CUE Inc., a community for positive employee relations
HR Policy Association
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Law firms also provide great resources with their blogs and newsletters.
Jackson Lewis
Littler Mendelson P.C.
Ogletree Deakins
And free blogs, newsletters, and podcasts abound.
Labor Relations Radio
Labor Union News
Projections Inc. and the ProjectHR podcast
Lastly, my own firm, the Labor Relations Institute, offers free resources and I do a podcast called Labor Relatedly, which I co-host with attorney Jon Hyman as part of the DriveThruHR show. I put out a LinkedIn newsletter called “Positive Employee Relations” several times a week that is a great resource for staying current on developments in the labor space.
And if I have some budget dollars, are there any labor relations educational programs that might be helpful?
[VanDervort] CUE offers some low-cost training like Labor Relations 101 and a periodic certification course in labor relations. They also offer two conferences yearly, which are great learning opportunities for those seeking to learn more about labor relations.
Michigan State University’s School of Human Resources & Labor Relations offers unique monthly courses and a certificate program for someone preparing for a leadership role in a unionized organization.
Cornell University also offers an online certification in labor relations.
This reader note talks about collective bargaining agreement (CBA) language. If an HR pro is trying to interpret the CBA, what should they do? Is there someone specific they should turn to for guidance?
[VanDervort] The first piece of advice I received about learning labor relations and contract interpretation was ‘read the labor agreement’. This is completely true. Everything starts with the labor agreement. From there, you have guidelines in precedent, past grievance settlements, bargaining notes from negotiations, and your internal/external labor attorneys to draw from. However, you need to build your own knowledge first because every conversation you have around grievances, arbitration, and work rules with a union representative derives from that CBA, so you need to know it inside out.
Last question. I’ve worked with some companies where labor relations were left up to lawyers and consultants. I’m not a lawyer or consultant bashing – they are invaluable, especially when employees might be considering union representation (i.e., organizing) and contract negotiations. How can an HR pro know when to call in outside expertise?
[VanDervort] It goes back to knowing the basics of labor law, what the current trends are in labor relations are, and how they might impact your employer.
If you are non-union, follow what the NLRB is doing policy-wise. They create policies every week that impact non-union workplaces significantly. You are not doing your job if you aren’t on top of these developments. Stay abreast of what labor unions are doing and what industries they focus on for organizing. If you get a surprise petition or ULP charge, you are going to be hard-pressed to respond.
If you are a union employer facing contract negotiations, ULPs, or even a strike, you must be prepared and have plans in place. These are the times when having a labor attorney or consultant in your contacts makes sense.
A huge thanks to Michael for sharing his experience and knowledge with us. Michael frequently speaks and writes about a wide variety of human resources topics, including labor and employee relations, positive workplace leadership, and social media. So, I hope you’ll check out all the resources he has provided.
One of the big takeaways for me in this conversation with Michael is there’s a place for labor relations in both union and non-union environments. And he’s absolutely right in saying that the NLRB is an influential agency. It’s worth your time to proactively understand what’s happening, not only for your own professional development but your company culture.
Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the streets of Tampa, FL
SOURCE HR Bartender
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