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.

Tips on Managing Workplace Conflict

Conflict in the workplace is inevitable. In a recent Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) survey, HR managers reported that they spend 24 to 60 percent of their time dealing with employee disputes. The ability to recognize conflict, understand its nature and bring it to swift and just resolution is key to your success as [...] Read More

How to Anticipate Your Employees’ Needs

Employee turnover is inevitable. Your goal is to manage attrition with a focus on retaining high performers and enabling all your workers to achieve their maximum potential. This includes keeping them motivated, engaged, and satisfied, thus boosting chances of growing their careers with your organization. How can you keep your finger on the pulse of [...] Read More

Employees’ Demand for Workplace Flexibility Continues to Grow

Recent research supports a premise that’s long been acknowledged by employees across virtually all industries - probably since the first time a worker kissed his kids goodbye and left the family farm to work outside his home: We need more flexibility and work/life balance. It’s not limited to working parents versus singles or dual-income-with-no-children couples. [...] Read More

Become a Better Boss by Becoming a Better Leader

There’s a distinct difference between a manager and a leader. But you can be both. In fact, leadership is an essential quality as demands for instant results and higher performance standards have become the norm in today’s competitive business environment.So how do you become not just a boss, but a leader?The answer lies in building [...] Read More

Unconventional Ways to Celebrate the Holidays at the Office

The holiday season is upon us. Traditionally, along with the holly berries, tinsel and Chipmunks singing goofy carols comes the office party.But maybe it’s time to start some new traditions – ones that build camaraderie, collaboration and good will. After all, isn’t that what this time of year is all about?Keeping it Real In recent [...] Read More

Interviewing Tips to Find the Right Employee

Making a good hire depends in large part on having positive interview experiences with your preferred candidates. An interview is the initial personal dialogue where both parties get a sense of whether they’re truly compatible. And yes, first impressions do count! Build Questions around Success Traits A success trait is one of three to five [...] Read More

Is it Rude to Wear Headphones in Your Office?

Headphone sales are on the rise, as the trend toward open office design continues. The jury is still out on whether headphones and earbuds at work are beneficial, practical, detrimental to productivity and creativity, or just plain rude. What the Experts Have to Say Recent research has uncovered little proof that listening to music improves [...] Read More