The HR Specialist

12/22/2025

A recently filed EEOC lawsuit against JCPenney highlights how employers must account for absences under an attendance point system. While such systems cut down on employees whose absence causes scheduling problems, managers and supervisors must be trained on how to handle call-offs that may be covered under the FMLA, ADA and PWFA.

12/22/2025

Workplace conversations about inclusion often rise and fall with the calendar. Recognition months prompt reflection, learning and good intentions, but those efforts don’t always translate into day-to-day behavior. HR teams sit at the center of that gap, with the opportunity to turn moments of awareness into practical habits that shape how employees experience work year-round.

12/19/2025

The panic about AI stealing jobs might be overblown. According to a report from Wakefield Research, a market research firm, 41% of U.S. executives believe AI will remove barriers and reduce the complexity of hiring and managing global teams in 2026—fundamentally changing how and where companies compete for talent. Only 22% think AI will replace too many jobs too quickly.

12/15/2025

Make it a policy to post your company’s holiday schedule every year. You should also clearly state your policy on paid versus unpaid holidays in your handbook.

12/05/2025

Burnout continues to surge across U.S. workplaces, with new data from Eagle Hill Consulting showing that 55% of employees are currently experiencing it. For HR professionals, the findings highlight an urgent need to guide managers, stabilize teams and address the structural issues fueling employee exhaustion.

12/01/2025

Sometimes business is booming. Other times, not so much. We appear to be heading into a downturn, and that means you may have to make some hard decisions, including terminations of some long-time employees. Is there a way to do so compassionately? According to lawyers at Littler participating in a recent webinar, the answer is yes.