Archive

Insight into Employee Promotions and Resignations from the Analysis of Networks

Companies are naturally interested in predicting which of their employees are likely to resign, and which are candidates for advancement within the organization.   A paper recently distributed by researchers on arXiv.org, titled Promotion and Resignation in Employee Networks, suggests that techniques borrowed from the emerging field of network science offer clues about whether promotion or resignation […]

The Retirement of Yard-Man

In this time of economic uncertainty and escalating health care costs, many employers are reconsidering promises of retiree medical benefits that were made when costs were not as high.  This issue, particularly as it arises in the context of collective bargaining, has been the subject of lively litigation across the country.  States in the Sixth […]

Looking for Patterns in Performance Evaluations

Most employers expect their managers to complete regular performance evaluations for the staff they supervise, which can be used to track employee progress and provide at least a minimal employment history.  An observer could reasonably ask, however, whether companies derive as much benefit from this process as they assume.  A January 9, 2015 online article […]

How Notions of Intelligence Shape Diversity

A study reported in the January 16, 2015 issue of the journal Science explores why certain industries and academic fields struggle to recruit and maintain a diverse workforce.  Although such questions are complex, it appears that disciplines that regard ability as an innate, unteachable talent tend to attract predominantly Caucasian and male candidates, while fields […]

The Effect of a Conversation on Political Views

The stereotypical corporate anti-discrimination policy prevents managers and staff from doing or saying anything that would hint at the existence of race, sex, age, religion, or any other protected categories in the workplace, and discourages discussion of such sensitive issues.  Such restrictions are never codified explicitly in the text of these policies, but many people […]