Every great manager knows that recognition is a key factor in motivating and retaining employees, as well as ensuring their well-being. In fact, a lack of recognition quadruples the risk of psychological distress among employees, which accounts for over 40% of employee turnover costs. A strong employee recognition program should be based on a feedback […]

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Even small improvements in the onboarding process can have a significant impact. The sayings “First impressions matter” and “All beginnings are difficult” may sound cliché, but they hold true. The first days and weeks of a new employee are crucial in determining how well they perform and whether they stay with the company long-term. What […]

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How to Request Days Off: A Professional Approach to Time Off

  • Stanley Meek
  • February 13, 2025
  • 10 min read

“Hi, good morning HR. I would like to inform you that I won’t be coming to work. I am not feeling fine (sick).This was an email I received from an employee on a Tuesday morning at exactly 6:45 AM. I found it quite amusing, not just because the request was informal and unprofessional, but because this […]

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Semi-Monthly Pay Periods Explained: Your Complete Guide

  • Stanley Meek
  • February 13, 2025
  • 9 min read

Ever heard of “semi-monthly pay” and not have a clue about what it is? Perhaps even getting paid in such a format and not having a full understanding? Don’t fret, you’re not alone! Most have a little trouble with semi-monthly pay periods. Let’s go in and clarify the mystery, then! Key Points What Are Semi-Monthly […]

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If employees are not doing well, the company is not doing well either. When a large portion of your workforce is bored and unmotivated, mistakes are inevitable. An EAP is a service that a company provides to its employees to improve their mental health and well-being. A well-implemented EAP can enhance production, employee health, and […]

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Have you ever given a clear, reasonable instruction only for an employee to outright refuse? I have. A team member once ignored my request—not because they couldn’t do it, but because they wouldn’t. At first, I was confused. Was it a misunderstanding or outright defiance? This was insubordination, a direct refusal to follow authority. But […]

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Seasonal Employment: Benefits and Conditions for Businesses

  • Stanley Meek
  • February 11, 2025
  • 12 min read

Certain industries experience predictable peaks and slow periods throughout the year. Agriculture, tourism, and construction are prime examples. Hiring and laying off full-time employees to match these fluctuations would be both costly and administratively burdensome—not to mention the legal challenges it could pose. The solution? Seasonal Employment Seasonal employees, especially in hospitality, agriculture, tourism, and […]

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“So, tell me about John,” I asked, leaning back in my chair. The young man sitting across from me shifted nervously. “He’s… uh… a good guy?” I chuckled inwardly. Five years as an HR manager, and I’d heard it all. The vague platitudes, the hesitant pauses, the desperate hope that a simple “good guy” would […]

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Picture this: Monday morning, and tension clings to the office environment. Two of your most valued employees, have a blazing dispute over a direction for a project. There is yelling, accusations, and one can almost visualize sparks fly. As an HR manager with five years’ worth of workplace conflicts under my belt, I have witnessed […]

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Contrary to the popular saying, “It is better to know a little about everything than to know everything about something,” being great at one thing is better than being average at many things. In the field of Human Resources (HR), specialization is key to efficiency, expertise, and business success. Rather than generalizing across multiple HR […]

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