upstartHR

Making HR better. One HR pro at a time.

  • Signs That a Person is Lying-Free Guide

    What are the signs that a person is lying? The person rubs their forehead or neck Perspiring, trembling and blushing Delayed nodding to support an answer they’ve given All of the above If you’ve been in HR for very long, you have probably run across some employee relations or management issues. Inevitably, someone will end…

  • Helicopter Parents at Work

    Helicopter parents at work-fight or submit? I ran across this interesting NPR article the other day about helicopter parents in the workplace. Every time I run across a news story or magazine article about these outrageous behaviors, I have to shake my head. I don’t know where the bright idea comes from for parents to…

  • Retention Management-11 Ways Managers Can Influence Turnover

    Retention management is a responsibility that is pushed from HR to managers to executives and back again. As the ones closest to the action, supervisors can have a positive impact on employee turnover if they take the right steps. “People leave managers, not companies.” Marcus Buckingham in First, Break All the Rules Whatever your turnover…

  • 4 Ways HR Can Prepare for Business Growth

    When you work for a smallish company, you need to be ready for growth. And I’m not talking the 2-3% increases over the course of time. I’m talking about the decisions that lead to explosive growth, seemingly overnight. Don’t be “that HR guy/gal” who finds out after the fact that big changes are coming. Have…

  • How to Create a New Hire Welcome Letter

    Have you ever wondered how to send a new hire welcome letter to get the employment relationship started on the right foot? I started sending a letter to new hires last year, and I’ve tweaked it over time to cover more questions, beef up explanations, and pretty much share as much information as I possibly…

  • Not the usual social media pitch

    Short post today because I’m preparing for a presentation I have to give at lunch to a local SHRM chapter. The title is as bland as they come–Social Media for HR–but it isn’t the usual “rah rah for social media” content you hear. Here’s my opening: If I was a lawyer, this is where I’d…

  • Leadership in Tough Times Can Save More Than Just Morale

    When times are tough, job stress typically increases, from the top echelon of management to the workers on the front lines. Communication can suffer, too, as leaders hold back less-than-positive information to avoid adding to workers\’ worries. As a result, a culture of fear and lack of trust can pervade any business, with employees looking…

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