Another Day in the HR Field

Recently, a client asked me if they needed to adjust their drug testing policy so a transgender employee could choose the gender of the person observing them urinate for a test. Obviously, the person wanted the employee to feel comfortable with who was in the room with them. First of all, having another employee watch you urinate can be uncomfortable for anyone, for any reason, but it is a requirement for some drug tests in order to ensure that the testee doesn’t bring in a bag of someone else’s urine to exchange as their own. If the reason is not obvious, it is so they do not test positive when they know they have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol. So, I did some research and thought it would be good to share this information for other employers, managers, small business owners and HR managers who may have similar questions. What are the requirements to be an observer for a direct observed collection? According to the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing ...

I will be co-hosting with the UIS Continuing & Professional Education department a summer HR Workshop Series.  Each week a different topic will be presented covering COVID Workplace topics the first three weeks with the last two weeks focusing on helping employers meet the Workplace Transparency Act compliance training requirement by year-end.  Here is what is in store for the next five weeks for all those who register, grab a lunch, and sit down at their home or office computer. COVID Training Thursday from Noon-1p.m. 7/9 - Noon -1pm HR2033  Encouraging and Maintaining Remote Employee Engagement – COVID 19 sent over 68% of employees home for at least two months and many of them are still there working day in and day out either permanently or until there is an antidote for the virus.  So in the meantime, what is a manager to do when it comes to keeping those employees motivated, productive, and engaged in the workplace? We will di...

This morning I had a chance to talk with Brian Pierce from WMAY as a member of Local First Springfield. We talked about ice cream, management coaching, hiring and retaining employees and more.  Have a listen! Listen to "Rogers HR Consulting - 6/15/18" on Spreaker.

Here is another awesome research paper a student has written specific to the HR needs of small business owners (SBO).  SBO's make up a majority of my clientel because they don't have the budget or the demand for a full time HR professional most of the time.  Owners don't have time to keep up with the changes in HR which is why I am often called in as an HR consultant.  The following is printed by permission by guest author Taylor N. David: Why Human Resources Training Matters to the Small Business Industry by Taylor N. David Abstract This paper explores eleven sources that elaborate on the importance of Human Resources training and education in the small business industry. This paper will examine why small business owners should participate in frequent HR (Human Resources) training and how HR training can benefit their business in the long term. A brief overview on what HR departments do including why HR training is necessary for small business owners will be dis...

Earlier this fall, I started a series on Strategic HR (aka SHRM "the topic not the organization") and while my intentions were to write more on this topic, time got away from me.  However, I did write and initial post that many found helpful which was referencing contributors to the topic of SHRM .  Today's post is a guest post by +Tina Gist who is both an HR professional and a graduate student of HR working on her masters degree and the graduate certificate in HR .  The following goes into much greater detail about several of the most interesting thought leaders in this field.  I personally had the good fortune to meet Dr. Lawler in person at both the Though Leaders Retreat this fall that I wrote about and at the Leadership Conference in DC as we were introduced to the SHRM Foundation board for which he is on.  I have also seen both Micheal Losey and Bill Conaty speak at prior SHRM events .  Enjoy the work from one very talented and knowledgeable stude...

The 1st in a series about Strategic Human Resources Management: Today, I began a new venture as a course developer and instructor of a brand spanking new Strategic Human Resources Management (SHRM) course. Actually the course development part of the project started well over a year ago during my Master of Online Teaching certificate practicum. Today was the official unveiling of week one of the 17 week course. A course which partnered with three others offered by the institution that employs me offers graduates a certificate in Human Resources Management (HRM). Personally, I have always been concerned about using the word "certificate" because it can be misunderstood and construed as competition with the Human Resources Certification Institutes's (HRCI) "certification". However, I can tell you that competition is certainly not the motive here. Honestly, this is something that can help prepare one to take the HRCI certification exams. Although, I still re...