Category Work

Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory: A Sweet World with Sour Labor and Employment Practices

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By Joyce Dos Santos for HR Daily Advisor The close of 2023 treated us to Wonka, a prequel to the beloved childhood classic, shedding light on the origins of the iconic Chocolate Factory. Although Willy Wonka initially began his chocolate empire with good intentions, he inadvertently concocted a recipe for labor and employment violations. As employers aim to sweeten their practices in 2024, gleaning insights from Wonka’s missteps might just be the golden ticket! Misclassification of Workers Now, let’s address the Oompa Loompa in the room: Are they employees or independent contractors? On January 9, 2024, the Department of Labor (DOL) introduced a…

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Why Zoom-Friendly Lights Are Popping Up in Offices

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BY SARAH LYNCH for INC. For years, people looking to put their best foot forward at work might have needed to wear the right suit or have good hygiene. Today, they may also need to have the right Zoom lighting.  When the pandemic abruptly sent millions of Americans home to work remotely, many started spending hours staring at their own face on virtual conference calls. Some didn't like what they saw. A phenomenon dubbed "Zoom dysmorphia" emerged as people started seeking dermatological treatment (and even plastic surgery), specifically referencing how they looked on video calls. Demand for ring lights--or circular lights that can provide a more professional, flattering look on camera--surged, with remote work…

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April Fools’ Day Fun! The Best Pranks from Google, Amazon and Other Brands

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by LINDSAY LOWE for Parade For centuries, April 1 has been a day of pranks, tricks and practical jokes played on family, friends and co-workers. The history of April Fools' Day is longer than you think—the earliest mention of a similar day of hoaxes was in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. How we celebrate April 1 has changed a lot in the intervening centuries. In recent years, the internet and social media have provided a vehicle for more and more elaborate April Fool's pranks. Many well-known brands spend large chunks of their marketing budgets to promote fake products or services. Did you hear about that year Burger King launched a…

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7 Best Productivity Systems to Simplify Your Workflow (+My Favorite Workflows)

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by Jenny Romanchuk for HubSpot I’m a content writer by night and a Head of Partnerships by day, and in my world, being productive is everything. No scheduling or a lack of project management leads to overdue articles, failed partnership opportunities, high pressure, and stress. We’ve all been there, recovering from zero productivity. Productivity systems help develop a sustainable work-life balance and prepare for working sprints when needed. In this post, I’m sharing the seven best productivity systems that have become part of my routine, turning the daily grind into an efficient workday. You’ll find their pros and cons and…

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Which Hogwarts House Do Marketers Belong To? [Infographic]

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by Ayaz Nanji for MarketingProfs Have you ever wondered which Harry Potter house fits you best as a marketer? If so, you're in luck. An infographic (below) from Media Update covers whether you're more Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff. Specifically, it looks at how four key traits of great marketers—bravery, ambition, intelligence, and empathy—correspond to each house. Check out the infographic:

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3 Tips on Launching a Kickass Podcast, from My First Million Producers

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by Bailey Maybray for HubSpot The pandemic birthed a rise in puppies, planting flowers in Animal Crossing, and podcasts — with 1.1m+ shows launched in 2020 alone. But soon, the podcast phenomenon plateaued. New podcasts decreased a year later, and in 2022, fell by 80%. 😬 Would you ride this rollercoaster? Be honest. Source: NiemanLab Does this mean the podcast train has left the station? No more tickets available to savvy hosts and sultry voices? Not at all — your podcast just can’t suck. Listen to the Shows in HubSpot's Podcast Network Now Luckily, podcast geniuses Darren Clarke (executive producer of My First Million) and Kal Elsebai (HubSpot’s senior manager…

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100% in or 0% in

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by The B2B Growth Newsletter My aunt is a beast. She wakes up at 4:30, downs ~6 shots of espresso, and hits a gym class called “F45.” She’s 100% in on this F45. She goes every day. She has all their gear. She posts about them on social media and won’t stop talking about them. She eats, sleeps, and breathes F45. The interesting part? Last year, she was 0% into F45 and 100% into Orange Theory. The year before, she was 100% into some boxing class. At some point, she was 100% into Beach Body. She is either 100% into something,…

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Craft a Compelling Personal Brand for Small Business Success

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BY TIM MADDEN for INC. In a fiercely competitive small business landscape, the key to success extends beyond traditional marketing strategies. If you've overlooked the significance of establishing a personal brand as a small business owner, it's high time to reassess your approach. As small businesses face challenges and uncertainties, building a strong personal brand can provide the edge you need to thrive. While branding advice can sometimes seem vague, here are some practical steps to help you craft a compelling personal brand for your small business: Define your purpose When developing your personal brand in the small business world,…

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Does Google Think Your Website Is Spam?

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by Rebecca Churt for HubSpot Everyone who uses the internet knows the frustration of web spam, where you find a promising page in search results that is useless. And we all know Google hates spammy websites, probably even more than we do.  But as a site owner, how do you know if your site visitors and Google consider your website spammy? And what should you do to ensure it isn't considered *GULP* web spam? If you have concerns about your website being considered spammy, here is helpful information to know when optimizing your website. As you read through these items, ask…

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4-Day Workweek Gains Traction

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By Lin Grensing-Pophal for HR Daily Advisor If there’s one thing the pandemic experience has contributed to, it’s employees’ demand for more flexibility and work/life balance. Hybrid work is becoming more common, but so is another flexible concept: the 4-day workweek. It’s an idea that has been gaining traction globally, and it holds a lot of advantages not just for employees but also for employers. And, it’s an idea that has slowly gained traction over the past several decades. A Continued Push to Shorten the Workweek Henry Ford is generally credited with being one of the first to acknowledge employees’ need…

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