Officium, LLC

Keeping It Professional at Work During Election Season

As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, organizations are increasingly challenged with managing political discussions in the workplace. While such conversations can be unavoidable, they carry the potential for conflict and division if not handled with care. Recent studies indicate that 83% of employees engage in political discussions at work. This statistic highlights the importance …

Quick Tip: “Work From Anywhere” Regulations

In the employment world, we’re seeing a trend in states addressing “work from anywhere” policies. Since the pandemic, many companies have been lenient on, or unable to track, the city/state/country that remote employees are working in. Many recent state regulations claim that once employees cross state lines, they are subject to the laws of that state, and …

Creating PTO Policies That Work For Everyone

If they haven’t already, many employees are gearing up to enjoy their well-deserved paid time off (PTO) this summer. However, a concerning trend is emerging within organizations: instead of fully disconnecting, many employees find themselves still tethered to work duties even during their vacations. PTO is highly valued by both employees and employers alike. According …

Harnessing the Talent of Older Workers

In today’s evolving landscape of workforce dynamics, companies are increasingly recognizing the value of older workers. As labor shortages persist across various industries, particularly in roles requiring specialized skills and experience, employers are turning their attention to the Baby Boomer generation, viewing them not just as a demographic nearing retirement, but as a critical talent …

Stop Losing Out On Top Candidates

There’s nothing more disheartening for hiring managers than having a qualified candidate withdraw their application in the middle of the hiring process. From the candidate’s perspective, nothing is more frustrating than an unresponsive or unorganized potential employer. According to the 2024 Monster Work Watch Report, 47% of survey respondents claim that poor communication is the …

New EEOC Guidance on Workplace Harassment

On April 29, 2024, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released updated guidance on harassment in the workplace, marking the first significant update in over two decades. Titled “Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace,” this new guidance integrates feedback from nearly 40,000 public comments and reflects the latest legal standards and best practices …

Quiet Firing: A Toxic Approach to Employee Management

Have you been feeling the cold shoulder or receiving less assignments at work suddenly? These could be signs of quiet firing. ‘Quiet Firing’ is a term used to describe a management practice where employers subtly push employees out of the company instead of directly terminating them. This is often done by reducing their responsibilities, excluding …

Updates to DC and Maryland Employment Laws (As of 6/4/24)

The DC and Maryland legislatures have introduced significant employment law changes. Learn more about the updates below, and contact us with any questions or need for support. District of Columbia Expanded Wage Transparency Laws Starting June 30, 2024, DC wage transparency laws will expand upon its current regulations to cover: Companies are required to display …

Recent Changes to U.S. Employment Laws & Regulations

The following HR compliance updates may impact your policies or operations. ____________________________________________________________________________ FTC BANS MOST NEW NONCOMPETE AGREEMENTS NATIONWIDE The Federal Trade Commission has approved a final rule banning most new non compete clauses in employment contracts. The rule makes all existing noncompete agreements, except those covering senior executives and not-for-profit entities, unenforceable.  Our team …

Fostering Safety for LGBTQIA+ Employees

Cultivating a safe and inclusive work environment for LGBTQIA+ employees is critical for fostering a sense of psychological safety – an essential ingredient for high-performing teams.  Managers and leaders play a pivotal role in ensuring that LGBTQIA+ employees feel valued and respected. Here are a few tips from the Officium team on how you can …