I have been asked a lot of questions about what employers can and can’t disclose about a former employee’s performance and reasons for leaving the company. So, I decided to find out what the law says, as well as what in-house counsel would generally advise an HR department, about disclosures. I consulted with Carole Jurkash, a fellow University of Chicago graduate who went on to get her law degree from Yale Law...

As the economic climate rapidly changes due to social distancing, gig economy and remote working influences, companies are seeking alternative virtual methods not just for hiring but also for onboarding. Right now leading indicators continue to demonstrate it is still an ideal time to look for a new job. So what can you expect under the new norm? Read More

The Coronavirus. Quarantine. Social distancing. A potential global recession. Needless to say, there is a lot to be nervous about right now. It’s a difficult time. Uncertainty reigns. And as a result, your stress may be at an all time high. You might be wondering what implications the pandemic has for your team, your organization, your career, your family, the economy, and the world. This goes doubly for Sensi...

Welcome to the Monthly Work Remix, where I answer career and workplace questions submitted by professionals like you. Every month, I’ll adapt episodes of my brand new podcast, The Work Remix, into a reader-friendly advice column. Click the links below to stream the individual episodes and hear my answers in greater detail. Episode 4 – “Understanding a Multigenerational Team as a Traditional Startu...

Every workplace is filled with interesting personalities — including frustrating ones. If you feel like you’re surrounded by difficult people at the office, take heart. You’re not alone. Studies have found that one in eight people leave a job due to problems with coworkers. Gossiping co-workers can be the most problematic of all. Not only do they distract you and drain your energy, but the negativity...

I’ve seen it many times. After wrapping up one of my presentations, I’m approached by a Baby Boomer or Gen X manager who says, “My young employees just don’t have any common sense! How can I understand them?” Other times I hear more extreme responses like, “My Millennial employees are lazy and entitled. I regret hiring anyone under 35.” I am strongly against generational shami...

WE ALL HAVE THE POWER TO MINDFULLY AND INTENTIONALLY PUT A NAME TO THE THEME FOR OUR 2020. One of the cultural touchstones that make the end of one year and the beginning of the next fun and interesting is the giving out of prizes for “[Whatever] of the Year.” Car and Driver picks the year’s 10 Best Cars, Time names Person of the Year, annual Nobel prizes are handed out, and the Merriam-Webster dictiona...

Gone are the days when working hard was enough to earn recognition or a promotion in the career world. Take control of your career trajectory and design your unique path. In addition to mapping out your career future, be sure to tap the wisdom of those who can empower you to achieve your goals. Keeping your professional ambitions a well-kept secret will not move you forward. Your Boss is Not Your Career Coach Many pro...

The Duke and Duchess Offer Job Search Strategy to We Commoners You may feel that you don’t have much in common with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – those crazy kids, Harry and Meghan, who’ve decided to “step back” from their roles as “senior members” of Britain’s royal family – but it’s entirely possible that we can learn some career lessons from the carryings-...

Procrastination may be one of the most self-sabotaging and all too common behaviors leading to someone’s failure to achieve their career/work-related goals. All too often people wait until they are actually laid off before they start investigating new options, or they put off preparing for an interview for their dream job until the last minute. You might say, “It’s human nature.” Perhaps. Just Google...