Are you making use of all the development resources available to your organization? Based on the questions we get from our members, the answer is probably “no.” Today, we’re going to give you a new direction for workforce training just for our local Massachusetts member companies.

Rob Duncan is the Director of the Workforce Training Fund Programs at Commonwealth Corporation, and Jen Moff is Vice President of Learning and Development at AIM HR Solutions. They join Pete Wright this week to help us all understand how to take advantage of Massachusetts grants and how you can level up your corporate training initiatives as a result.

Links & Notes

• Commonwealth Corporation - Workforce Training Fund Program

AIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277, online, or via email at [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

This week, Pete Wright digs into the complex and sometimes contradictory world of workplace wellness programs with guest Jen Moff, VP of Learning Development at AIM HR Solutions.

Pete and Jen examine a controversial study from an Oxford researcher who found that, with the exception of volunteer work, most workplace wellness initiatives provide little to no benefit for employees' wellbeing. The study suggests companies should instead focus on core practices like schedules, pay, and performance reviews.

Who are these programs really serving? How can companies authentically embody the values behind their wellness offerings? And is it possible to build an impactful program that employees will actually engage with?

The study, and this episode, challenges assumptions about the role and efficacy of workplace wellness programs. It also offers more questions than answers, but a frank discussion is key for any HR professional grappling with these complex issues themselves.

Links & Notes

• Workplace Wellness Programs Have Little Benefit, Study Finds • New York Times

AIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277, online, or via email at [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

What do you know about coaching? If you’ve never taken part in a coaching relationship, you just might be carrying around some assumptions based more on myth than reality, and today, we’re going to help you see the light. It’s an often-misunderstood practice that can help high-potential employees mature in your organization and seasoned pros through big career transitions.

To help us better understand the real power of coaching, Pete Wright is sitting down with Jen Moff VP, Learning and Development at AIM HR Solutions, and Scott Loomer, Director of HR Services at AIM. So lace up — and let’s get in the game.

Links & Notes

• Resources from AIM HR Solutions

AIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277, online, or via email at [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

Ever wonder what the most common questions HR professionals grapple with are? In this episode Pete sits down with AIM HR Solutions team members, Tom Jones and Terry Cook, who bring their expertise to the forefront on pressing HR issues. The discussion is centered around the popular topics we often hear about on our helpline. 

We navigate topics like understanding Massachusetts's PFMLA and its implications for employers, including how to handle leave requests and navigate adverse actions. Discover effective strategies for managing layoffs while exploring alternatives like the Work Share program. Plus, unravel the complexities of drug testing in the workplace, especially in the era of legalized marijuana.  

AIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277, online, or via email at [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

In the rich tapestry of today's workforce, the threads of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are not just woven in; they're becoming the very fabric of organizational culture. It's a bold experiment that promises to reshape the corporate landscape, but what does it really take to dye these threads into the cloth of our companies? 

Imagine a workplace where the mosaic of its people's backgrounds isn't just celebrated on special occasions but is the cornerstone of every policy, every team, every decision. We're venturing beyond the buzzwords and diving into the marrow of what DEI truly means for the heartbeat of a company. 

In the wake of seismic shifts such as the latest Supreme Court decisions, we'll probe into the tectonic impacts on recruitment, internships, and mentorships—confront the myths and misconceptions that cloud the DEI landscape—as we bring the truth into sharp relief.

And who better to guide us on this exploration than Karen Wallace, Executive Vice President of Economic Inclusion at AIM? Karen stands at the vanguard of championing inclusive growth and understanding the economic imperatives of DEI and she sits down to share her perspectives with Pete Wright this week.

Links & Notes

• AIM Business Connect
• Connect with Karen on LinkedIn
• Email Karen

AIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277, online, or via email at [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

What should HR professionals be thinking about from a compliance/best practice standpoint for 2024? 

In the fast-paced world of HR, juggling today's challenges while anticipating tomorrow's trends is crucial. 

This week, we cut through the noise, offering a blend of expert predictions and actionable insights. Kyle Pardo and Tom Jones join Pete Wright to tackle everything from the intricacies of current compliance issues, such as FLSA and leave laws, to the emerging trends of AI, skills-based hiring, and the transformative power of mindful leadership. 

What should HR pros be thinking about for 2024? It's all about getting equipped with the foresight to navigate the complexities of the HR landscape. Stay informed, stay prepared, and shape the future of your HR practice with us. 

Links & Notes

• Report: Employers don’t practice what they preach on skills-based hiring

AIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277, online, or via email at [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

Turn on those podcast notifications beacuse Human Solutions is about ready to launch Season 5!

This week, we aim to explore the legal implications of AI in human resources. Our guest is employment lawyer Bryn Goodman, partner at Fox Rothschild, and she brings our focus to recent regulations and what HR teams need to know as our industries enter the AI era.

Pete and Bryn dive into the key laws and guidance around AI that HR teams need to follow. The EEOC, FTC, and other federal agencies released a joint statement putting companies on notice about their AI use. States like New York, California, and Illinois have also passed laws regulating the use of automated decision-making tools in hiring and employment. 

Questions we answer in this episode:

• Who bears responsibility if an AI tool violates employment laws?
• What disclosures and audits are required for AI hiring tools?
• How can HR teams use AI responsibly despite limited transparency? 

Key Takeaways:

• Federal agencies are holding employers responsible for discriminatory outcomes from AI systems.
• HR teams should demand transparency from AI vendors and scrutinize the systems they use.
• Notice, consent, and responsible oversight are crucial when adopting AI tools.

This episode provides a look at the emerging legal landscape for AI in HR. Pete and Bryn outline the compliance steps HR teams should take today to integrate AI ethically and minimize risks. Their discussion makes it clear that while AI tools offer opportunities, they require diligent governance within HR.

AIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277, online, or via email at [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

One year ago, as we recorded this conversation, a chatbot named ChatGPT debuted and shook our technological assumptions. Developed by OpenAI, the artificial intelligence tool ignited debate on the future of work, creativity, and what it means to be human. But the story of AI stretches far beyond any single innovation.

As companies race to harness AI, what legal realities must they confront? How do these powerful tools reshape the employer-employee relationship? And in automating tasks once reserved for humans, what deeper human values are at stake?

Today, we explore this unfolding narrative, guided by employment lawyer Bryn Goodman, partner at Fox Rothschild, and our own Terry Cook. Together, they’re going to help us separate AI fact from fiction with insights gleaned from businesses on the frontlines of adoption. Make no mistake: there are human impacts—both promising and perilous—of entrusting technology with more of our working lives. However uncertain the path ahead, one thing is clear: the tools changing work are here. How leaders engage them now will shape the future. So let's rethink some assumptions assumptions, weigh risks, and see if we can move thoughtfully into the AI era.

Links & Notes

• EEOC: Assessing Adverse Impact in Software, Algorithms, and Artificial Intelligence Used in Employment Selection Procedures Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

AIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277, online, or via email at [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

In this week's episode of Human Solutions, host Pete Wright explores the pressing issue of financial wellness in the workplace with Kirsten Hunter Peterson from AIM partner Fidelity Investments. "Finances can be really stressful," she says, "We want you to feel good about your money."

With inflation on the rise and record levels of household debt, financial challenges weigh heavily on employees' minds. This stress can take a toll on productivity, focus, happiness, and retention at work. As Kirsten explains, an employee's financial health impacts not just their personal well-being but also the health of the business.

Across the episode, Pete and Kirsten dive into several facets of the financial wellness puzzle. They discuss the scope of financial stress facing workers today, from everyday costs to long-term goals. We learn why employees look to their employer for help, and how HR teams can partner with experts to provide useful resources without becoming financial gurus themselves.

Kirsten shares encouraging signs that more companies are prioritizing holistic wellness programs for their people. But she cautions that one size does not fit all. The best solutions meet employees where they are, with personalized education delivered how and when they need it.

Listen for Kirsten's top tips for HR professionals looking to improve financial wellness for their employees; take stock of key challenges facing your particular employee population, partner with reputable providers offering a variety of resources, and drive engagement through content that resonates with your people.

At a time of growing uncertainty, this episode explores tangible ways employers can help their workforce feel empowered, supported, and financially secure.

Links & Notes

• Fidelity Workplace | Financial Wellness an Engaging Employee Experience
• Fidelity 401k Small Business Retirement Benefits
• Talking to small business owners about workplace retirement

AIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277, online, or via email at [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

We’re talking all about reinventing employee evaluations in the aftershocks of a global shift to remote work thanks to COVID-19. 

Forget what you thought you knew about performance reviews; we're tearing down the old blueprints and questioning everything from the role of corporate culture to the nitty-gritty of rating scales. Tune in to reshape and invigorate your approach to measuring performance in a workplace that's constantly in flux and the importance of keeping your employees in the know.

Our own review experts, Kyle Pardo and Terry Cook, join Pete Wright to shake out the review anxiety and re-invigorate feedback to level up the organization!

AIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277, online, or via email at [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours.