Abel HR Blog

Is the Annual Review Going the Way of the Dodo?

In the last year, buzz has emerged suggesting that there is no place in business for the performance review. We’ve read the articles, we’ve reviewed the data, we’ve even chatted about it internally, and we’re on the fence, so we figured we’d present the facts and let you decide whether you can drop them from […]

Saying Goodbye is Hard; Make it Easier with a Plan

In addition to the fact that baby boomers are retiring in droves—with estimates from Deutsche Bank suggesting that 10,000 Americans reach the standard retirement eligibility age of 65 each day—the real issue is that the folks who are leaving aren’t exactly the lowest ones on the totem pole! Instead, companies must brace for some of […]

HR is as Happy as the Least Happy Employee

Is a happy employee superior to a melancholy one? Well, if all the studies are to be believed—and there are many on the topic—the answer is a resounding yes. A happier employee is more engaged, and thus has a greater sense of purpose, energy to accomplish goals, confidence in his or her ability to do […]

Your Employees are the People in the Neighborhood

Giving back to the community is an important aspect of being a business owner. In addition to encouraging your employees to support local causes, you can also give back in a significant way by supporting your employees who volunteer in the area, such as volunteer firefighters, first aid squad members and others. Did you know […]

How is the Cannabis Landscape Affecting HR?

Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia have taken steps to decriminalize the use of marijuana. While 10 states—Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington—and our nation’s capital have adopted laws legalizing recreational cannabis use, the other states have only loosened the laws to allow for the use of medicinal marijuana […]

5 Benefits of Hiring for Cultural Fit Versus Skill

When we post a help wanted ad, we typically put the skills that we want the potential hire to have front and center. This is especially true for highly skilled or niche jobs for which specific training is required in order for the person to perform effectively. However, would your company benefit more if you […]

Effectively Return an Injured Employee Back to Work

In the immediate aftermath of an accident at work, there is a flurry of activity. The employee needs medical care, the supervisor needs to issue a report, the company needs to file a second report, and you need to begin the often arduous task of filing for workers’ compensation. Then there’s the process of investigating […]

Now is the Time to Think to 2020

You’ve barely had a beach day and we’re already telling you that you need to start planning for next year, but we all know that when it comes to making a change in your business, it’s going to take a lot of time to ramp up and get the job done. If you have spent […]

Enriching the Employee Experience Has Great Results

Beyond keeping folks in interesting job roles and paying them a good wage, there are other things that you can do to add value to their work experience. These so-called enrichment experiences are designed to drive engagement and support a happier workforce, both of which studies suggest help bolster productivity and thus boost your company’s […]

Facts and Fictions of the Family Leave Act

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is one of those words that HR folks like to drop into conversation, but few (including potentially that HR rep) actually understand. Now, the Department of Labor has done a nice job of summarizing some various aspects (with a fact sheet and a compliance guide), but let’s talk […]