♻️ HR Tool Stack Cleanse, Employee Appreciation Kit, RTO Stirs Bullying - Jan 23, 2025

On today’s agenda:

♻️ HR tool cleanse

🎉 Employee awards bundle

😠 RTO brings back bullying

⚖️ Multimillion dollar HR liability

THE HR SPOTLIGHT

♻️ Stack Detox: The HR Tool Cleanse Challenge

Feeling like your HR tech stack is more clutter than clarity? You’re not imagining it — most organizations today run 2–7+ paid HR tools, yet only 39% report useful integration between them. That fragmentation eats time, creates data silos, and slows strategy execution.

🧩 The State of Play: Too Many Tools, Too Little Clarity

Many teams struggle with redundant systems that overlap in function, integration headaches, and underutilized tech, with most companies using only 40-60% of the features they paid for. On top of that, adoption resistance from employees and managers eventually leads to change fatigue.

Sounds familiar? That’s exactly why we’re launching the HR Tool Stack Cleanse Challenge — it’s time to turn tool chaos into strategic strength.

🎯 The Challenge: Your 4‑Step Roadmap

1) Map Your Stack  — List every tool, its cost, and what it actually does.
2) Score Value vs. Use  — Ask: “Is this used weekly? Does it save HR time?”
3) Kill Duplicates  — If two tools do the same thing, pick the winner.
4) Integrate & Govern  — Push for tools that sync well and simplify data flow.

Ready to do the cleanse? Start by auditing one category this week — recruiting, performance, or payroll. Small but intentional tasks can spark big momentum.

📍How to Audit Your HR Stack »

WEEKLY STEAL

🎉 Celebrate National Compliment Day with Meaningful Recognition

😠 RTO Brings Bullying Back — HCA Mag

• What’s unfolding: Workplace bullying claims are rising as return-to-office mandates expose interpersonal tensions and poor social dynamics.

• Why it matters: HR should reinforce psychological safety, refresh conduct policies, and proactively address in-person behavior before claims escalate.

• What’s unfolding: U.S. companies hiring H-1B workers are facing public criticism and online hostility tied to immigration debates.

• Why it matters: HR must support affected employees, clearly communicate fair hiring practices, and protect employer brand credibility.

• What’s unfolding: CFOs now rank workforce strain as a top business risk, driven by retention pressure, morale issues, and skills gaps.

• Why it matters: HR is central to risk management and should partner closely with finance on workforce planning and engagement strategies.

WEEKLY GOODY

COMPLIANCE CORNER

• What’s unfolding:  A former cruise-line HR chief is pursuing a multimillion-dollar injury claim, disputing how her employer assessed disability and evidence.

• HR implications: HR leaders should revisit injury documentation, accommodations, and return-to-work processes to reduce legal exposure before disputes escalate.

• What’s unfolding: The DOL clarified how to calculate FMLA leave for employees with variable or nonstandard schedules.

• HR implications: HR teams should review FMLA tracking now to ensure leave is calculated based on actual scheduled hours and avoid compliance errors.

🚨 EEOC Pulls Back Harassment Guidance — Newsday

• What’s unfolding: The EEOC has rescinded recent harassment guidance that expanded federal workplace protections.

• HR implications: HR must stay alert to state and local laws and ensure anti-harassment policies remain strong despite shifting federal guidance.

BREAKROOM

📬 Missed Wednesday’s issue on ‘Preventing Q1 Resignations’? Read it »