Performance Management/Engagement

A centralized data source may allow HR departments to conduct analyses to understand how factors such as leadership, operational efficiency and customer/financial outcomes are interrelated, but convincing an organization's leadership still may be a tough sell.

With the number of teleworkers on the rise, companies are finding new and improved ways to provide mobile workers with the tools they need to stay engaged in their work and connected to the organization's culture.

Cyberbullying isn't a torment endured only by children, as a new study in the United Kingdom finds that picking on colleagues via email and social-networking sites is common in the workplace, too.

A recent employee survey shows that, while their bosses are ethical and professional, they could stand to communicate better in times of crisis, resolve workplace conflicts and be open about their own weaknesses.

Researchers find that workplace desegregation is in even worse shape than it was nearly five decades earlier for certain sectors.

A cultural risk assessment may help HR prevent a merger from going bad -- so long as the right approach is taken.

More than one-quarter of companies surveyed recently have no plans to address workforce readiness in the event of a disaster of Superstorm Sandy's magnitude, and experts say HR leaders need to do more than just tweet or text updates to employees when disaster strikes.

Cultural intelligence is a highly nuanced and critical competency, yet some respondents to a recent study reported that they believe their corporate leadership is sometimes lacking in depth of knowledge and understanding of the stakeholders in various countries.

Total-rewards programs are designed to attract and motivate employees. But it appears many companies -- thanks to poor execution and lack of communication -- aren't seeing much of a return on their investments.

This article accompanies Low Rates of Return.

This article accompanies Virtual Volunteering

I am responding to a June 12 news analysis I recently came across on HREOnline.com ("Rise of the Middle Manager?") discussing the rising importance of identifying and developing high-potential middle managers in the eyes of top business leaders, including CEOs.

Microvolunteerism, designed to let employees help out a little here and a little there via phone or computer, appears to be a win-win for all involved -- so long as it's managed properly.

Getting to "Yes" and then documenting that "Yes" can be an exhausting experience. From provider identification through requests for proposal, evaluation of bids, selection of the ultimate service provider and contract negotiations and settlement, the road can be long and tortuous.

Handling workplace tensions should be a priority for frontline managers, but many employees believe their bosses are not up to the job, according to a survey of 2,700 employees released this month by Healthy Companies Intl. in Arlington, Va. Nearly half -- 41 percent -- of employees responding to the survey think the person to whom they report does not deal well with workplace conflicts.

I am responding to an Aug. 20 news analysis titled Calling All White Men (to Diversity Training).

Want to know what to do to truly make a dent in diversity and workplace-culture improvements?

HR leaders have a key role to play in changing management perspectives when it comes to building a culture of innovation. One way to start is to de-stigmatize failure and start rewarding innovative behaviors instead of outcomes.