Personality tests are becoming popular as the likes of Amazon, Meta and Microsoft hone in on high-performance talent. An expert reveals the few traits that hiring managers are looking for.
Archives for February 23, 2025
Research: To Retain Employees, Promote Them Before the Job Market Heats Up
Labor markets regularly swing from firm-friendly to job seeker–friendly, causing organizations to fluctuate greatly in terms of the number of employees at hand to meet customers’ needs. But is there a way employers can future-proof their workforce, encouraging talent to stay when jobs are plentiful? Drawing on turnover data for over 11,000 managers from 2018 to 2023 (including pre-pandemic, pandemic, and “Great Resignation” labor shifts), researchers found that promoting employees during employer-friendly labor markets reduces the likelihood that these employees will quit later when the job market shifts in their favor. They offer suggestions for companies looking to increase talent retention rates and make their workforce more resilient to market changes.
Can a Year-End Bonus Be Docked If You Took Maternity Leave?
Is it fair for management to dock someone’s annual incentive pay because of a maternity or medical leave?
‘Career Catfishing’: Steps Companies Can Take About The Trend
Gen Z is “career catfishing,” reacting to big corporations and what they perceive as unfulfilling work, but there are steps employers can take to mitigate the trend.
Is Your Workplace Ready for ICE?
Proactive compliance helps avoid costly enforcement actions. Learn best practices for I-9 audits, workplace raid response plans, and safeguarding your business.
This company found a rather unexpected way to boost morale in the office: adopt cats
Employees take turns volunteering to care for two cats and the company says it’s become a major source of stress relief for workers.
Judge Rules Against Labor Unions Seeking to Block Mass Firings
The Trump administration can proceed with its plans to fire thousands of government workers, the judge said, noting that the dispute should go before the agency that handles federal labor disputes.
Justice Dept. to Drop Discrimination Case Against Elon Musk’s SpaceX
The Justice Department had sued SpaceX in 2023, accusing the company of violating federal law by refusing to hire refugees and people granted asylum in the United States.
Knowledge Work Management – Where Can AI Help?
AI will eliminate many forms of existing knowledge work but can it make the knowledge workers who survive the agentic AI revolution fundamentally more productive?
Why Employers Should Consider Mentoring and Reverse Mentoring
Learn the many objectives of workplace mentoring initiatives in the U.K., such as preparing workers for change, and how reverse mentoring might be beneficial.
Federal Court Enjoins Trump Administration’s Broad Attack on DEI
On February 21, a federal district court judge issued a preliminary injunction against several elements of Trump’s executive orders regarding DEI or DEIA. The reach of this preliminary injunction goes beyond the plaintiffs in this suit, encompassing similarly situated federal contractors, grantees of federal funds, and private sector entities.
State Department Updates Criteria for Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Waivers
On February 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State updated visa interview waiver (“drop box”) eligibility criteria for individuals renewing their visa stamps, resulting in sudden drop box appointment cancellations and administrative processing for some who had already submitted documents. The update, which took effect immediately, limiting eligibility for visa
Alabama Governor Signs Binary Sex Bill
On February 13, 2025, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed into law Senate Bill 79 / Act 2025-3, declaring that there are only two sexes, male and female. Originally introduced on February 4, 2025, the legislation amends Alabama Code § 1-1-1, which defines certain words used throughout the Alabama Code. Officially
Federal Court Preliminarily Blocks Key Parts of President Trump’s Orders Restricting DEI at Private Employers
A federal judge in Maryland has preliminarily blocked the Trump administration from enforcing key provisions of the recent executive orders (EO) to eliminate “illegal” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives from the federal government and federal contractors, finding the provisions are unconstitutionally vague and infringe free speech.
Beltway Buzz, February 21, 2025
The Beltway Buzz™ is a weekly update summarizing labor and employment news from inside the Beltway and clarifying how what’s happening in Washington, D.C., could impact your business.