I would say most companies I come across have one or more core values focused on high levels of customer service. It’s one of those “must have” elements in how a company continues to exist. Yet we know that “high quality” customer service is subjective, both from the company’s perspective and the customer’s perspective. On... View Article
When is the last time you looked at your employee handbook? When business owners ask for advise around managing employees or workforce issues, we often begin by asking , “Do you have a policy around [insert relevant issue : Time sheets? Vaping? Bringing your bunny to work]?” We frequently look to the handbook as a... View Article
Employers had until the end of February to comment on proposed changes to proposed revisions to Chapter 90 Rules for Seattle’s Minimum Wage Ordinance (SMC 14.19). The revisions were made to put the rules in compliance with Initiative 1433 (WA Minimum Wage) and the Wage Theft Prevention Ordinance. Many of the proposed revisions are not... View Article
A day after Andrew Puzder withdrew his nomination for Secretary of Labor, President Trump named Alex Acosta, current dean of Florida International University’s law school as his pick. Acosta served as a member of the National Labor Relations Board and was assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s civil rights division, having been appointed by... View Article
As small business owners, we often wear many hats, including head of finance, customer service and HR. As CEOs, we are tasked with strategy and leading the execution plan. The “doing” work of a business owner can get separated from the “strategy” work of the CEO. In my experience, when this happens, we get lost. ... View Article
The recent focus on employee retention, from what we’ve seen at Equinox, arises from two trends. First, it’s really tough to find the right people in the current market. Once you find them, it’s essential that you keep them. Second, business owners are seeking people who can take over when they retire and key employees... View Article
Talk of effective leadership abounds in business circles. I know you have come across many books and seminars on the topic and hundreds of quotes as to what makes a great leader — yet it seems something that’s a bit tough to grasp in reality. Part of the challenge in reading about and “implementing” leadership,... View Article
On election night Washington voters approved Initiative 1433, which incrementally increases the state’s current minimum wage of $9.47 to $13.50 by 2020. The first hike to $11 per hour is set to occur on January 1, 2017. In addition, the rule requires every employer to provide sick leave starting 2018 as follows: one hour of... View Article
On December 7, 2016, the Portland City Council approved a tax on certain companies that pay their CEOs 100 times or more what their average employee makes. This surtax is the first in the nation of its kind and its purpose, per the ordinance, is to address income equality. Note that the surtax, added to... View Article