We can all think back to difficult conversations. Most of us have had dozens of them across professional, personal, and family relationships. When thinking about which of these conversations ended successfully, what factors come to mind? For me, the answer is “preparation.” Preparation forces us to critically consider why the conversation will be difficult, how... View Article
No matter the industry or company size, all business leaders and managers will have to have difficult employee conversations at one point or another. Whether it be for performance issues, misconduct, policy violations, or layoffs, difficult conversations come with the territory of running and managing a business. Having the right tools and knowledge is critical... View Article
On July 1, 2020, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (“L&I”) updated the criteria for an exempt employee. These workers may include executive, administrative, and professional employees, as well as outside salespeople and computer professionals. Washington’s overtime exemption rules generally require these “white-collar” employees to meet a three-part test to be exempt: the... View Article
Since remote work has become routine for businesses, managers may be leading dispersed employees who live across the country. What do employers need to do if an employee decides to move out of state? What should employers consider when hiring remote, out-of-state employees? Here are some proactive considerations: Look before you leap Generally, having an... View Article
Hiring is a beast of a process – and when done right, it pays off. However, what does “doing it right” look like? The hiring process specifics will be different for each company, but the core is about structuring the process. Structure helps you identify that the individual has the key characteristics to be successful... View Article
As civil rights protests have swept the nation, more companies are announcing initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion within their walls. But in looking at the data, it is clear just how far we must go before our businesses are truly reflective of the makeup of our society at large. The benefits of diversity,... View Article
“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” are words that have been floating around the business community for many years, but it’s been primarily an effort of big businesses. Small companies typically have infrequent hiring needs and, therefore, feel they can have a limited impact on diverse hiring. In recent months, however, more small businesses are asking how... View Article
The President signed the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (“FFCRA”) on March 18th, 2020, which will take effect on April 2nd, 2020, and ends on December 31st, 2020. Now, businesses are stuck wondering how to implement the requirements and in such a short period of time. The Department of Labor and the IRS are working... View Article
The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is having a sudden and severe impact on our region, state, and the U.S. As a result of COVID-19, many small businesses are suffering. Social distancing and state-mandated bans are causing the cancellation of events and travel plans, workplaces to shut down or limit operations, workers are sent home, and ultimately,... View Article