Let me start this post by making a disclaimer - I'm not anti-leadership book, nor am I anti-personal development. There's a real need for all of us to look for ways to get better at what we do professionally. I believe enough in leadership/management skills that I actually have a training series for managers of people.

The series help managers navigate the most important conversations they have with their direct reports - in their own, authentic voice.

So I'm a believer in the need to get better…

Employment arbitration is a fairly new concept that has mushroomed into a very common practice in employment agreements. In 1992, only 2% of non-unionized workers were under arbitration agreements; currently that number is 54%. The main consequence of an arbitration clause is the employee abandons their right to sue an employer. Most agreements require binding arbitration whereby both parties agree that the arbitrator's decision is final - there are no appeal provisions. As arbitration…

Increasingly, mental illness is becoming part of a mainstream conversation that employers must address. We work more than ever, take less vacation and have little to no paid maternity or paternity programs. We all have moments when we need to talk to someone, breathe and get the help and support we need. This may seem like a no-brainer if you have a program in place, but please read on.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) Are Not Enough

Employee assistance programs (EAP) offer employees and family…

Civility usually is demonstrated through manners, courtesy, politeness, and a general awareness of the rights, wishes, concerns, and feelings of others. It includes the behavior that helps to preserve the norms for mutual respect at work and, given the current economic and political climate, it's something we could all use more of.

In 2016, 62% of employees were treated rudely at work at least once a month, according to a global, annual poll on workplace incivility by McKinsey & Co. Since…

Sexual harassment has been in the news a lot recently. Some of the top companies are experiencing the repercussions of lawsuits: Google, ESPN, Red Lion Hotels, and Lithia Motors to name a few. This has gotten the attention of CEOs and executives running small business. Most small businesses under 50 employees do not have an HR person on staff, therefore, they have no one for employees to come to if there was an allegation, except the top executives. It is the company's obligation to create a…