Providing An Outlet: A New (and Free) Chatbot May Help Employees Determine If They Were Harassed
An employee has an “inappropriate moment.” Maybe it was a misunderstanding. Or maybe it was worse: he or she was just subjected to harassment or discrimination. Getting the facts of what happened can be challenging. But it’s a problem that must be addressed. Workplace issues like harassment and discrimination are a hot topic for employers this year. Challenges, however, create opportunities for entrepreneurs — and a six-person...
The Boss’s Bookshelf: The Top Five Business Books the CEO Can’t Put Down
Willpower Doesn’t Work: Discover the Keys to Success By Benjamin Hardy We rely on willpower to create change in our lives…but what if we’re thinking about it all wrong? In Willpower Doesn’t Work, Benjamin Hardy explains that willpower is nothing more than a dangerous fad-one that is bound to lead to failure. Instead of “white-knuckling” your way to change, you need to instead alter your surroundings to support your goals....
On Philanthropy: Give Kids a Chance to Give
Many of us adults give considerable thought to how we will pass along our money to the rising generations in our families when we die. Far fewer of us also consider how we will pass along our “value assets” — our family’s unique approach to community, giving back and helping others, while we’re living. The passing along of family values cannot take place all at once, in a few conversations towards the end of life or in a paragraph...
How Far Should You Go to Back a Job Candidate?
Dear HR Pro: My department has a strategic staff position opening, and a friend of mine, “Joe,” recommended his former colleague “Eleanor” for the position. After meeting with her, I was pleased to recommend her, as her qualifications are just right and she’s kept her knowledge up to date while being out of the workforce with family. But … she interviewed very poorly. Do I put my credibility on the line to help her get a second...
Workplace Navigator: I Work at a Nonprofit and I Want My Money
Question: I am a day care teacher for a nonprofit that serves limited-income families. Every two weeks, we receive our pay by paper check and can cash the checks only at the bank used by the nonprofit. However, there is not always enough money in the nonprofit’s account to cover all the checks. Those who delay getting to the bank may have to wait up to an additional week to receive their pay. I still live at home and will soon be...
Tech Q&A: Upgrading a Windows 10 PC That’s Out of Memory
Question: I have a Dell Inspiron 3050 that uses Windows 10 and has an SSD (Solid State Drive, or computer chip memory) rather than a hard drive. Recently, I’ve been getting a message that says a Windows 10 update can’t be installed because I don’t have enough available memory. I transferred all the data I could to an external memory card in order to open up more storage space, but it hasn’t been enough. I’ve also tried to reboot the...
The Protection Predicament: Overdraft Protection Can Be a Blessing — Or a Curse
The overdraft protection law “puts the decision in the hands of the consumer as to whether they want overdraft protection for small-dollar transactions conducted by ATM and debit card,” says Greg McBride, CFA and Bankrate’s senior economic analyst. Ultimately, opting in has two major benefits. It protects those who worry about finding themselves in the embarrassing situation of having their card declined. And it provides a temporary,...
Drop Your Credit Debt
Americans’ debt levels have been growing and interest rates are rising — a combination that could put consumers in a bind if they carry a balance on their cards. “Everyone has this sense that there is a storm brewing,” said Bruce McClary, spokesman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. “All indications that we’ve seen are that people are carrying higher balances from month-to-month and more are behind on their monthly...
Workplace Navigator: You Made a Mistake. Should You Explain?
Question: I teach at a university. I recently missed the deadline for ordering textbooks and materials for a new class I was asked to teach on short notice. In doing so, I created extra work for a lot of colleagues, and news of my infraction was pushed up the managerial ladder as approval was sought for my requests from my department head, dean and others. I am deservedly in the doghouse. I apologized and promised never to do this...
