MRA Blog

1/14/21

It has been poked fun at all over the place since the pandemic hit. Saturday Night Live, Tik Tok, memes, even online retailers have played with the fact that Americans are drinking and turning to drugs now more than ever. But it isn’t a laughing matter.

1/7/21

While COVID-19 is still causing quite a bit of a fuss, it’s time to reconsider the business of human resources and what you need to focus on in the new year. We talked with some colleagues and here is their top five list of things that didn’t get done last year that need to get done now.

12/10/20

Ho-ho-ho… the holidays are here! For some people, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. For others, the season cannot be over fast enough. For those in the second camp, an Employee Assitance Program can be a great tool to help navigate a person’s way through the holidays.

12/2/20

MRA recently held a virtual event, the 2020 Economic Update: Guidance in an Uncertain Economy. We are not going to lie, given the doozy of a year we’ve had, we were expecting a grim economic prognosis to round out 2020. But surprise! This forecast was upbeat and optimistic. A breath of fresh air to say the least.

11/18/20

What do you do when your co-workers have a hard time keeping their distance or their masks on at the office? Our answer may surprise you because it’s so basic. 

11/11/20

In January of this year, a lot of us thought we knew what the year ahead was going to look like, how things would go, where we should be sitting on the bus. Here's a reminder to rotate. Change your seat. Things look the same if you don’t mix it up.

11/5/20

On the job, we can all do our part to embrace a diverse and inclusive workplace. Here are a few tips to help drive forward the ADA and all the good it has accomplished.

10/29/20

Two big events are happening in the next few days. Here are some tools and resources to keep you in the know.

10/22/20

Emotional intelligence is noticing behavior, being authentic, and having the ability to make difficult conversations productive. It’s about responding rather than reacting. Why cultivate your EI? The reasons are many.

10/14/20

MRA’s annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Conference was held last week and there was a lot of valuable information shared with the 700 plus virtual attendees. Here are some pieces of wisdom from our presenters.

9/30/20

Last week, MRA hosted a members-only event, CompTrends 2020, where we reviewed our highly anticipated Compensation Trends Survey results, a timely topic for many. Check out what attendees learned during the webinar.

9/17/20

We’ve officially hit the six-month mark of COVID. Six months of many of us working from home, six months of stress and anxiety, which is leading to burnout. Resiliency. It’s defined as the readiness to bounce back from adversity. If the pandemic were a professor, we’d all have resiliency PhDs.

9/3/20

MRA co-hosted the 2020 HR Leadership Conference on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, where attendees were inspired and energized by Captain Ron Johnson, who spoke about worthy leadership. Captain Johnson’s timely and compelling presentation struck a chord with conference-goers. Here is his story.

8/27/20

A face mask. The world’s newest fashion accessory. And just like return to work policies, face masks come in every shape and size imaginable. There are disposable masks, homemade ones, fancy masks, and… those that are inappropriate. 

8/19/20

Today, it’s all about Zoom meetings. But it’s not simply Zoom meetings, it’s what they bring (and don’t bring) with them that’s hurting our workforce.

8/12/20

Chances are you have found yourself in a situation where you wanted to talk with a coworker about something from their background that’s different than yours, but you weren’t sure what to say. Here are a few tips that can open the door to stronger working relationships and an inclusive culture.

8/5/20

We’re all well aware that we’ve had some free time on our hands the last few months, thanks to the pandemic. What to do? Consider upping your game and get specialized with PHR or SPHR certification.

7/30/20

This week we are writing to all the HR practitioners out there to remind you that you are crushing it. We know you are giving it literally all you’ve got at work, and at home, keeping it together when somedays you feel like you’re falling apart.

To all our HR friends:

7/23/20

We googled “burnout” and it was as though we googled “the year 2020”. 

We thought it would be insightful (and reassuring) to hear from real HR folks about how they deal with it all, what keeps them going and how do they refuel?

7/15/20

Because sitting down in a room with a group of colleagues isn’t really a thing right now, MRA created Peer Learning Circles. These one-hour virtual sessions speak to one of the many challenges hitting the business world right now.

7/10/20

With cases of COVID on the rise, we find ourselves again asking, “now what?”. It's a good time to think about mid-March when this all began. Let’s take what we’ve learned, (or what we should have learned), and put it to work for us now.

6/26/20

A recent survey by WorldatWork revealed that 54 percent of respondents expressed they were unaware of Juneteenth, even though it’s the oldest national celebration of the end of slavery in the U.S. With this in mind, we looked at what companies are doing to close the gap of the big divide.

6/19/20

Once upon a time, remote work was seen as an exception or perk, that was until COVID-19 showed up. Since then most people have been thrust into working from home. Do your employees have what it takes to thrive at home permanently? Check out these must-have remote worker qualities.

6/12/20

Check out these recent LinkedIn posts from two leaders here at MRA, who give their heartfelt, powerful and different perspectives on current happenings... Poignant reminders that we can’t start to learn if we don’t stop to listen first.

6/5/20

The workplace does not look the same since COVID-19 came to town, and most likely never will. Looking at new ways of doing business, here are four workplace trends that are gaining momentum and four losing their steam.

5/29/20

This week at one of our (virtual) Roundtables, the topic lingered on mental health in the workplace, and what that looks like these days. Not surprisingly, it isn’t pretty. So, what specifically has employees hitting the panic button? Here are the big ones.

5/22/20

Some of the best leaders we know are great listeners. And today, with our work worlds turned upside down due to COVID-19, having the ability to truly listen to people is more important than ever. Check out some of the hows and whys of leading by listening.

5/15/20

Every May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year the timing could not be better. We’ve been Safer at Home for quite a while now, and many of us are feeling rather cooped up. With that in mind, here are some things we can try to do the next time this COVID-19 crisis gets in our heads.

5/8/20

This year, Mother’s Day is going to look different than what we’ve seen in the past. But not all is lost, Mother’s Day can still be special! We asked around and came up with ideas for thoughtful ways to celebrate mom, both at home and from afar.

5/1/20

Peace of mind. It feels sparse these days. But… there are cautiously optimistic conversations happening around businesses reopening. Looking ahead, how can an employer give peace of mind to employees?

4/24/20

Most of us have heard the saying, necessity is the mother of invention. With the world shut down as of late, this moment in time has given us many opportunities to make this old proverb ring true. In the spirit of self-preservation, here is our list of things we’ve learned to do that we didn’t know we could before COVID-19.

4/17/20

During the last few weeks, we’ve seen tons of ideas on how. How we can adjust to working from home. How to navigate these choppy waters. This week let’s talk about how: the kid edition.

4/10/20

Working remotely thanks to COVID-19 still isn't routine, but it is a little less shocking than when we first began. This week we’ve been able to take a step back and even poke fun at ourselves a little bit. We asked some people what they are realizing about their lives at the moment, and here’s what we’ve learned.

4/3/20

We've been reading oodles of stories about companies stepping up and helping out how they can in response to the coronavirus, and we think it’s awesome. Check these out.

3/27/20

The good news is we are all in this together, and we will get through it. The bad news is it’ll be challenging at times. That said, we put together some tips that may help with our temporary new normal.

3/20/20

In times of craziness and uncertainty, like what the world is experiencing right now, we thought it would be helpful to pull some nuggets of positivity from all the chaos.

3/13/20

Earlier this week MRA leadership sat down with members who are CEOs to get a better understanding of what employers are doing around coronavirus at their companies. We all agreed on the main takeaway from the meeting.

3/6/20

Open hiring. If you’re able to answer yes to three questions, you just got an apprenticeship.

2/28/20

As HR pros who work on handbooks daily, we thought it would be fun to live vicariously through Tesla’s “Anti-Handbook Handbook” that was recently leaked. It says so many things we wish we could say.

2/21/20

If you live in or anywhere near the state of Illinois, you are well aware that marijuana became legal this past New Year’s Day. So, will the state be stoned from now on? 

2/14/20

Do your people love coming to work every day? Here are some tips to consider that may help them feel the workplace love.

2/7/20

Now is the perfect time to review the top six ways to stop the spread of wintertime germs in the workplace.

1/31/20

As our nation grieves the recent helicopter crash tragedy, where nine young lives were lost well before their time, it brings the fact back around that we don’t know when our time (or someone’s we cherish) here is done.

1/24/20

A way to woo people to work for you or charm them to stay.

1/17/20

Our latest Hot Topic Survey explores the reasons people leave their jobs, or employee turnover - and the top two reasons for someone hitting the road couldn’t be more different.

1/10/20

“You won’t believe what Natalie just said.” Every workplace has a Natalie. That person who doesn’t seem to grasp the fact that there are things you should never talk about at work. Here’s a list of discussions that are serious no-nos.

12/20/19

Every year there’s a must-have holiday gift. Who could forget Tickle Me Elmo or the coveted Razor Scooter? This holiday season — enter Baby Yoda.

12/13/19

Ah, the holidays. It can be a love/hate relationship. Either way, we could all use some tips to stave off stress during this time of year.

12/6/19

Judd Schemmel, Associate Vice President of American Family Insurance, recently talked to us about the culture transformation within Am Fam, and all of the good they are doing in the communities they serve.

11/22/19

Peter Feigin, President of the Milwaukee Bucks, recently spoke to us about the Buck's culture. The organization's Guiding Principles spell out how they live their lives at work and is what every HR professional wants to say to all new hires because, well, it’s pretty darn perfect.

11/15/19

What would you do with an extra free day every week? Not an hour, or an afternoon, but an entire day! Could a four-day workweek work for you?

11/8/19

With Veteran’s Day just around the corner, here are six ideas for your organization to consider doing to support and honor America’s heroes.

11/1/19

This week, MRA welcomed 90 people to the Creating Workforce Resilience Event: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Creating Workforce Resilience. Read on to learn about how to transform into a more resilient workplace.

10/25/19

Autumn. Quite arguably the most beautiful time of the year in the Midwest. And not only picturesque, it can offer an opportunity for change.

10/18/19

Having a bully for a boss - it’s on the shortlist of rotten work situations. We wish we could give you a magic potion to make it all better, but alas, it doesn’t exist. So, here are a few ideas you can noodle around and maybe give a try.

10/11/19

Did you know this week is Mental Illness Awareness Week? It’s been around since 1991 and focuses on educating and increasing awareness about all kinds of mental illnesses.

10/4/19

Last week, input from 655 organizations from across the U.S. was unveiled after participating in MRA’s 2019 Compensation Trends Survey.

9/27/19

Last weekend the Emmy Awards were on, and as always, the show did not disappoint. Especially Michelle Williams's eloquent speech against the gender pay gap in the workplace... See what she said.

9/20/19

A good buddy is a beautiful thing. A mentor is pretty sweet too. And while similar, they serve different purposes.

9/13/19

You're in a super stressful meeting. But you need to make important decisions in the midst of the mayhem. What to do? Check this out.

9/6/19

Some say the journey is the reward. But as a young professional, your journey can get complicated. And that can feel less than rewarding.  

8/30/19

Next week they're all back to school. Does the kid-free day have you wondering what to do with your time? Maybe it's time for a change. Here are some points to ponder.

8/23/19

According to a Gallup report, 33 percent of Americans are engaged at work. That means 67 percent are not. That’s a big, sad number.

8/16/19

This week we are talking about three kinds of culture-killing leaders and ways to deal with them.

8/9/19

Is the process of getting HR certified a commitment? Without a doubt. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Here are our top five reasons why you should seriously consider going for it.

8/2/19

Roundtables are a place where you can talk freely on a specific topic and debate with interested people about the issues that are on your mind. Sounds awesome, doesn’t it?

7/26/19

No truer words have been spoken when considering the crew of Apollo 11. This week with our minds on the astronauts, here are some tips for people who work as a team in close quarters.

7/19/19

Have you ever appreciated fantastic customer service while going through a particularly rotten experience with the company? Here's a great example. 

7/12/19

National Tattoo Day is July 17. Many people look forward to celebrating their tattoos next week - but what about visible tattoos at work?

6/28/19

Because there’s no better time than the present to take a break from work and focus on yourself, here are five quintessential summertime activities to consider doing with your second half of summer 2019.

6/21/19

Are you all wound-up over Minnesota’s new Wage Theft Law that goes into effect on July 1, 2019? Don't be!

6/14/19

A recently published MRA survey unearthed that 85 percent of companies will pay employees for a full day’s work once a year to volunteer in their communities. So, here are some ideas to get you thinking.

6/7/2019

Today we are talking about some practical pointers designed for your summer help, so this season of sunshine can be enjoyed by all.

5/31/19

What happens when technology fails at work? Check out these five productive things you can do when technology issues crop up.

5/24/19

This inspiring act has us thinking of ways we can pay it forward at work. 

5/17/19

Check out these three easy ways you can care for your mental health when it comes to a work/life balance. Because most of us can do a better job with that!

5/10/19

On this week of Mother’s Day, we would be remiss if we didn’t devote this post to mom. After all, she gave us life and dealt with all the guff we dished out until we flew the nest.

5/3/2019

When it comes to interviewing, thinking outside-the-box is a fabulous idea, just make sure the person you’re considering can truly tell his or her story.

4/26/19

Having information that people want to know doesn’t always mean you should tell them. 

4/19/19

The world watched in disbelief as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France burned earlier this week - and it has got us thinking about the all-too-common problem of tribal knowledge at work.

4/12/19

Because there’s no better time to act and feel confident than at a job interview. Thank you Dress For Success.

4/5/19

Singer-songwriter Kenny Rogers may have said it best, but at some point we all contemplate the notion, If I knew then what I know now…

3/29/19

It's not uncommon to see top leadership changes. Sometimes they are voluntary, other times involuntary. The reasons can vary.

3/22/19

The art of small talk needs to have nothing to do with the question how are you?

3/15/19

What should you really focus on to seal the deal? We recommend these five must-dos at any job interview.

3/8/19

It’s unthinkable – the death of an employee, or an employee’s close family member. No one wants to think about it, let alone talk about it, but sadly we were recently reminded that people can be taken from us in a heartbeat.

2/27/19

This year, viewers who tuned in to the Oscars for some eye candy witnessed things that could quite possibly help make the world a better place.

2/22/19

Dear Snow,

It's been a good relationship, but our time together needs to come to an end.

2/12/19

Valentine’s Day is this Thursday, and it seems that people either love it or loathe it. Here are some workplace dos and don’ts to make sure all goes well on this day of love.

2/8/19

“Should employers test new hires for pot before bringing them on board?” The simple answer is yes. And no. It’s just not a one-size-fits-all kind of question or answer. 

2/1/19

You have this awesome employee who shows up every day ready to take on whatever craziness you have for her. She does it with enthusiasm and a positive attitude, if you could clone her you would.

1/25/19

So, we know what you’re thinking, “I don’t want work knowing about my personal problems!” But that’s the beauty of an EAP. It’s a totally confidential service, your employer won’t even know you used it.

1/18/19

It goes without saying that working in an upbeat environment is much better than spending the day in a toxic place with negative energy. In fact, most people will leave a job to work for less pay in a pleasant atmosphere.

1/10/19

Can you even imagine not having to worry about how much PTO you have left to get through the rest of the year?

12/12/18

It’s the holidays! Should managers give small gifts to their employees to celebrate the season? We say yes! And here’s why.

12/4/18

Ever wonder what people want from their leaders? We have the five basic employee expectations to answer your question.

11/26/18

MRA recently hosted Alan Beaulieu, an internationally known economist, who talked about our changing economy. Here are a few nuggets of information from his talk for you to ponder.

11/8/18

The power of a collective voice, it’s a beautiful thing. Consider Google and the global Walkout for Real Change last November 1

11/5/18

MRA recently hosted a free Business Insights event highlighting what it takes for a local business to earn a place on the Milwaukee Business Journal’s list of Best Places to Work.

10/31/18

The ghosting phenomenon started in the online dating world - it's when someone ends a relationship suddenly by simply cutting off all communication.

10/15/18

Thinking outside the box when it comes to recruiting is a must in today’s tight job market.

10/3/18

Recently we talked with someone who just loved his job. He’d been there more than 10 years, loved the people, loved the work, loved that it was close to home, loved it all.

10/26/18

At the recent MRA event Disrupt: The Rebellious Future of HR in Minneapolis, some awesome information was exchanged, while energizing, informing and empowering local HR pros.