Category Human Resources

Should I Offer Ownership to My Key Employees?

By in Business Management, Human Resources

By Kathleen M. Bodenbach, Attorney, Axley LLP One of the most difficult parts of owning a business is finding great employees. Successful business owners know they cannot be everywhere at once and therefore must rely on their key employees. Sometimes retaining key employees becomes vital not only for day-to-day operations but also for the future success of the business. This drives many Wisconsin business owners to ask: Should I let my key employees buy into my business? This is a loaded question. Not only do business owners need to assess whether the individual is a true “partner” and someone to…

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What HR Needs to Know About Pen Testing

By in Human Resources

By Zac Amos, ReHack Penetration testing is just as important to the human resources department as it is to the information technology (IT) sector. Humans often cause data breaches, which is why HR professionals with experience dealing with workers are crucial. Pen testing helps HR and IT departments identify vulnerabilities in the security system and utilize that information to enhance policies and protect current employees. What Is Penetration Testing? Pen tests assess a company’s current security measures and identify areas for improvement. Ethical hackers set up a fake breach by attempting to gain access to internal systems or sending fabricated…

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Here’s Your Practical Guide on How and When to Use NDAs

By in Human Resources Tag

By Tracy J. Murn, Axley Brynelson, LLP As businesses grow, owners may increasingly rely on key employees and HR professionals to manage functions owners don’t directly oversee. Key employees and HR professionals are typically those employees who have access to important, confidential business information. These individuals often gain access to confidential operational details, employee information, and other sensitive data. A common question that arises: When should employers use nondisclosure agreements (NDAs)? While NDAs aren’t required in every situation, they are one of the most effective tools for protecting valuable business information—especially in Wisconsin, where confidentiality agreements are generally enforceable when…

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Seven Ways To Sharpen Sales Coaching with AI

By in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Sales, Training

BY GEORGE BRONTÉN Even with all the technology that has rolled out in the past few years, coaching is still the critical multiplier in complex sales. It’s still the hinge point on which your sales team grows or stagnates. And the good news is: AI can help your coaches do a better job of it. Let’s look at how. 7 Ways to Use AI in Your Coaching Sales coaches who leverage AI today will easily outperform coaches who avoid it. As in so many other things, effective AI use can be a power multiplier. For coaching, you can use it to: Summarize past coaching…

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Rethinking Employee Wellness: Self-Care, Mindfulness, and the Power of Play 

By in Human Resources

By Britt Andreatta, CEO, Brain Aware Training There is a real disconnect in the culture of American companies. A recent Gallup survey of Chief Human Resource Officers reveals that employee wellbeing ranks among the top organizational priorities of the year, however, it has yet to make a difference in the workforce as only 21% of employees agree their organization cares about their overall wellbeing. This is a record low.   Burnout is the Most Pressing Issue   New research shows that 66% of American employees are experiencing some sort of burnout in 2025. Burnout costs businesses $322b annually in lost productivity. In addition, healthcare costs reached $190b, with many seeking emergency room care or…

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State Leave Laws Continue to Expand in 2026: What Multistate Employers Should Know

By in Human Resources

By gcobb  The new year, as always, brings with it new developments in labor and employment law. Likewise, the ever-growing labyrinth of state and local paid leave laws, including paid sick leave and family and medical leave laws, continues to develop in 2026. Some states have expanded their existing leave provisions, while others are enacting wholly new leave programs. As paid leave requirements grow and change, so too do compliance difficulties and litigation risks for multijurisdictional employers. Below is a summary of key developments in state and local leave laws, as well as states to watch as the year progresses.…

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EntertainHR: Sherrone Moore and the Mental Health Obligations of Employers 

By in Human Resources

By Rob Entin, FordHarrison I am an alumnus of the University of Michigan.  My son is a junior there.  My closest friends went to school in Ann Arbor.  So did my father-in-law, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law.  Like all who bleed maize and blue, we believe that we have a responsibility to our university to embody the values of excellence, character, and integrity in everything we do.  So, when the news broke last month of former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore’s termination for having an inappropriate relationship with his assistant and the details of his subsequent arrest, I vacillated between feelings of anger and shame.       This article will not delve into the details of the inappropriateness of Moore’s relationship with his assistant…

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AI and Job Security: Face Fears and Face Facts

By in Human Resources

By Richard Lehr During a recent round of labor negotiations, a union proposed the following language regarding artificial intelligence (AI): “Artificial Intelligence shall not be utilized in any manner that displaces, diminishes, or eliminates existing bargaining unit work. AI shall not replace, displace, or erode job classifications or duties currently performed by bargaining unit employees.” This proposal was rejected without a counteroffer for several reasons, including that the employer (a manufacturing facility) would not agree to a limitation on the impact of AI, as AI continues to evolve and its impact on several sectors is unpredictable. The union’s proposal evolved…

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Why Your AI Upskilling Will Fail (Unless You Fix These 5 Things First)

By in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Training

By Dr. Priyanka Dave Your executive team wants artificial intelligence (AI) adoption yesterday. Your budget for training platforms is approved. Your learning modules are ready to launch. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: none of it will stick, and the problem isn’t your training. Every Chief Learning Officer (CLO) knows this frustration. Employees complete their AI literacy courses, pass their assessments, and then return to their desks, where the old way of working is still faster, easier, and frankly, what their managers expect. Pictured: Dr. Priyanka Dave. Photo courtesy of Dr. Priyanka Dave. Organizations spend almost $100 billion annually on learning and development,…

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Mitigate Legal Risks of AI in Employment Decisions Through Vendor Contracts

By in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Human Resources

By Elizabeth Shirley Artificial intelligence (AI) has become commonplace in recruiting, screening, interviewing, testing, promotion, and employee monitoring. Properly designed and governed, AI can streamline processes and improve consistency. In employment decision-making, however, AI can introduce legal and operational risks for the employer, even when the AI tools are built and operated by third-party vendors. Businesses should understand where and when liabilities may arise and use vendor contracts to mitigate and allocate those risks before deploying AI as part of employment decisions. Legal Risks in Using AI for Employment Decisions A legal risk in using AI as part of employment…

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