Focused Articles

Executive Order 14224 Establishes English as the Official Language of the United States- Does it Affect My Workplace?

By Barbara Bagdon posted 2 days ago
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On March 1 , 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order (E O) 14224 designati ng English as the official language of the United States . T his article provide s guidance regarding how this executive order impacts the workplace and how employers should respond . What has changed The stated purpose of EO 14224 is to “promote unity, cultivate a shared American culture for all citizens, ensure consistency in government operations, and create a pathway to civic engagement.” EO 14224 rescinds EO 131 66 issued in 2000 by President Clinton which ...
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Three Strategies for Inclusive Hiring Practices

By Sherry Martin posted 2 days ago
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Today’s competitive talent market and fast-moving business landscape are reshaping how organizations hire. Changing regulations, evolving candidate expectations, and market volatility require greater transparency, fairness, and oversight. Inclusive hiring practices help organizations elevate their brand, strengthen their reputation, and remain competitive. Implementing the following three strategies enables organizations to do more than fill a seat – they build a resilient workforce where diverse perspectives drive innovation and performance. Strategy 1: Set Expectation s Early and Often ...
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EEOC’s Push Against Anti-American National Origin Discrimination: What Employers Need to Know

By Mark Decker posted 2 days ago
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As some of you have heard from our staff, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on national origin , and its protections apply equally to all groups, including individuals from the United States . Preferring foreign workers over US workers because of national origin or visa status is unlawful. The Trump administration's Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has made enforcement of this principle a stated priority . 1 EEOC Enforcement Focus In February 2025, EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas announced that combating anti-American bias is one of her ...
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Cellphones at Work: Striking the Right Balance

By Ruth Rusongoza posted 14 days ago
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Cellphones are no longer just personal devices ; they have become essential workplace tools. Employees use them to clock in and clock out , access digital work platforms, verify their identities through two-factor authentication, and communicate with teams. At the same time, excessive cellphone use can cause distr actions and pose risks to safety, productivity , and confidentiality. Employers Council recommends developing a clear and comprehensive cellphone policy. When doing so, employers should consider key legal factors, including guidance from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that covers employees' ...
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Successful RTO Starts with Workplace Experience

By Wayne D'Antoni posted 22 days ago
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As 2026 starts , many organizations still struggle with office return-to- office (RTO) policies as a strategy to boost collaboration , foster a “team player” environment, and m anag e the burden of unused office space. Recent research has shown that employee engagement levels are dropping, along with employee well-being . A Deloitte study found that roughly 4 in 5 employers believe that worker well-being is critical to organizational success, but only slightly more than 10% have recognize d a solution for their own employees . Various s urveys show ...
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Setting Performance Goals: Key to Successfully Aligning Employees to Organizational Objectives

By Carissa Newcomer posted 29 days ago
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Setting employee performance goals is critical in managing talent, driving productivity, and fostering a positive work environment. Goals provide employees with a clear direction to align their efforts with the organization's mission . Let’s look a bit closer at why carefully setting performance goal s matter s . Clarity and Focus Goals provide employees with a sense of purpose and direction . When expectations are clearly defined, employees understand what is expected of them , reduc ing wasted efforts and potential confusion over priorities ...
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Performing Due Diligence in Managing Employee Performance

By Ubani Ukuku posted 29 days ago
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All instances of performance issues have been documented . The employee has been spoken to several times about the issue . Corrective action and steps have been given . The employee has repeatedly failed to follow through on correcting the problems at hand. All parties have followed the law and policies, but there remains concern about separating from the employee . The organization is hesitant to take any action and keeps delaying it because of due diligence. The problem described above is one employers frequently encounter . The law, policies, and procedures have all been followed ...
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Your 2026 HR Action Item List

By James McDonough posted 02-11-2026
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Keep your new year on track with this list of must-do HR action items for 2026 along with the membership resources to manage them. Review your policies to verify compliance with federal and state laws; some new requirements are in this article . Use the CCH Multistate tool to review laws in other states. Updated sample policies (and complete handbooks) are here . Check the employment law posters in all your locations (in-person and virtual). Our Poster Service is available to assist. Self-check HR processes to verify your organization is on track. Many of our checklists have been recently updated. Plan for important compliance deadlines. ...
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Handling Requests to Not Contest Unemployment Claims in Colorado

By Desiree Sullivan posted 02-04-2026
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An employer may receive a request from an employee when they resign to not contest their unemployment claim. Before agreeing to not contest a claim, employers may want to consider their role and responsibilities in responding to Colorado’s Unemployment Division . In order to make an accurate determination on an employee’s eligibility for benefits, the Unemployment Division will send an e mployer a questionnaire. The e mployer is obligated to provide timely and “ adequate ” response s to the Division to provide enough information to sufficiently support a ...
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Buddy to Boss: Leadership Transitions

By Megan Johnson posted 02-04-2026
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Congratulations on your promotion! You’ve officially entered one of those awkward stages of your professional life, managing your peers. Just a few days ago, you and your team were sharing inside jokes over happy hour. Now, you’re the one approving time-off requests and leading meetings. That celebratory margarita suddenly tastes a little like responsibility , with a hint of extra pressure. Your first team meeting as “the boss” can feel especially uncomfortable. After all, these are the same colleagues who remember your Netflix binge “sick day” and your less-than-glowing commentary about management. ...
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From Hype to Headache? The HR and Legal State of Unlimited PTO

By Edward Encinias posted 02-04-2026
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This article originally ran in the December 2025 issue of Colorado Banker Magazine. The concept of unlimited paid time off has been a topic of discussion in workplace conversations since the early 2000s. What began as a bold alternative to rigid vacation policies—initially championed by startups and tech firms—quickly became a symbol of modern workplace culture. Over the years, it has gained traction, sparked debates, and prompted a steady stream of HR think pieces, all attempting to determine whether the promise of autonomy materializes in practice. While some organizations have adopted it to attract talent and simplify administration, ...
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Accountability Gaps in Multi-State Organizations with California Employees

By Brittanie Young posted 01-21-2026
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Many multi-state employers believe their biggest challenge when operating in California is compliance. In fact, the true challenge isn’t compliance, it’s the lack of clarity around who owns people decisions. Employing people in California fundamentally changes how organizations must think about accountability. When California employees are part of the workforce, decisions that may feel informal or manager-driven in other states often carry greater weight and greater consequences. For many multi-state employers, the issue isn’t whether certain policies exist, but about who owns people decisions in what state, when HR needs to be involved, and how consistency ...
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Documenting Employee Performance Concerns: A Key Practice for Effective Management

By Carissa Newcomer posted 01-07-2026
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Effective management requires addressing employee performance concerns promptly and professionally. Documenting these concerns is crucial not only for tracking progress but also for protecting the organization from potential legal or HR-related issues. Well-documented performance concerns can help both the employee and the employer identify areas for improvement, ensure fairness, and guide future actions. This article outlines why and how to document employee performance concerns, providing managers with tips on handling this process with care and precision. Why Documenting Employee Performance Concerns is Important Clarifies Expectations : Documenting ...
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Listening, Learning, and Continually Improving Your Membership Experience

By Glenn Pelster posted 01-07-2026
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At Employers Council, one of our greatest strengths is our partnership with our members. Your feedback on what’s working well, what could be improved, and what you need next guides our decisions and drives our progress. Over the past year, we’ve taken intentional steps to translate what we heard from you into meaningful enhancements across your membership experience. What we heard was clear: members want easier access to information, more intuitive tools, and clearer pathways to make the most of their benefits. You also want a membership that evolves as your workplace challenges change. In response, we’ve focused on modernizing how you engage with us, strengthening ...
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Without Values, Organizations Can Veer Off Course

By Brandy Walker posted 01-07-2026
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Every organization is navigating the current business landscape. However, you may look around and wonder how some have forged a path while others are still deciding which direction to lead the team. What if you had a map and a compass? Would that help you start navigating in the right direction? While a defined organizational mission is the map, and the vision is like an “X” on the map that tells us where we are trying to go, what good is a map if you don’t know which way it is oriented? Organizational values provide a compass. Benefit of Values Values inform organizational decisions, behaviors, and performance. When we think of values, we often think ...
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The Rise of Quiet Vacationing

By Ruth Rusongoza posted 12-23-2025
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Quiet vacationing is defined as taking time off in secret while making it appear as though you are working. It involves taking time off without formally notifying the employer, often by minimizing work-related activities or using methods or tools that make the worker appear engaged. Instead of fully disconnecting, employees may monitor emails and perform some light work tasks while away from the office. Interestingly, the practice is widespread among Gen Z workers and Corporate Executives. A new survey of 1,200 full-time workers by Resume Builder found that 41% had already taken a "quiet vacation" this year, with that percentage rising to 66% among Gen Z ...
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Avoiding the High Cost of Discrimination: Steps Every Employer Should Take Now

By Valorie Waldon posted 12-17-2025
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Any employer, regardless of size, reputation, or industry, can find itself embroiled in a claim of illegal discrimination. The headlines have been abuzz with news of high-profile organizations receiving substantial jury awards arising from employee complaints alleging discriminatory behavior. Such findings often have significant consequences for their financial health, reputation, and brand, both internally and externally. The reality is that no organization is exempt. The decision to sue is highly personal and often emotional. Lawsuits frequently stem from an employee’s perception that they were not treated fairly. Employees determine whether they believe ...
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Employee Well-Being as a Strategic Priority

By Ruth Rusongoza posted 12-10-2025
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Have you ever felt fatigued at work and wondered whether the stress was justified? When employees experience undue stress, their well-being and job performance are negatively impacted. Employee well-being is not a luxury, but a vital component of a productive and healthy workplace. Employee well-being refers to the overall state of an individual’s physical, mental, emotional and social health in the workplace and is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity . Organizations face challenges like economic uncertainty, competitive pressures, and rising healthcare costs. Employees, however, face challenges like mental health concerns and burnout in today’s ...
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Mindfulness and Well-being for the Holidays

By Megan Johnson posted 12-03-2025
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The holiday season brings a unique paradox to the workplace. While it’s meant to be a time of joy and celebration, it often becomes one of the most stressful periods of the year. For managers, the pressure intensifies as you balance year-end deadlines, team dynamics, budget constraints, and your own personal obligations. Practicing mindfulness during this season isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential for maintaining your well-being and leading effectively. Understanding Holiday Stress The convergence of professional and personal demands during the holidays creates a perfect storm of stress. You’re managing team workloads while people take time off, closing ...
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Three Ways Emotional Intelligence Can Help Prevent Workplace Burnout

By Mark Castillo posted 12-03-2025
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Employee burnout has become a significant workplace challenge, characterized by stress, disengagement, and exhaustion. Burnout often leads to reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, and a host of other problems for employers, as detailed in this Employers Council article. A powerful tool for addressing this challenge is emotional intelligence (EQ), the ability to understand, manage, and use emotions effectively with oneself and others. By developing and improving their emotional intelligence, leaders and employees can help prevent burnout, contributing to a healthier, more productive workforce. Here are three EQ elements that can help prevent workplace ...
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