The Watercooler

The Watercooler Blog is full of workplace tips and trends related to employee retention, engagement, interviewing and more. The Watercooler is frequently refilled, so gather ‘round often.

Should You Allow Employees to Telecommute?

Workplace norms have changed dramatically in recent years. From 2005 to 2012, telecommuting grew by 80 percent, due in large part to technological advancements and the influx of millennials into the workforce. Allowing employees to work from home or another remote location has its pros and cons. Will it work for your company? The Plusses [...] Read More

What to Look for When Checking References

The cost of a poor hire can be as high as three to four times their salary. When you add in intangible costs such as stress and lower morale on the part of co-workers, you can easy see why it’s worthwhile not to skip reference checks as a key part of your hiring process. All [...] Read More

What You Should Be Learning from References

If you are seriously considering a candidate for your open position, do not overlook the importance of checking with their past employers and talking to their references. This should be a prerequisite to making a job offer. The harsh truth is: A significant percentage of applicants lie on their resumes. In one recent survey, 56 [...] Read More

How to Motivate Lazy Employees

What do you do if the employee who showed so much promise during their interview turns into something else entirely? On the job, they are lazy and unmotivated. They may even drag others down with them – and they will most likely have a negative effect on morale, productivity or profitability. Yikes! Granted, there will [...] Read More