The Macro Problems Caused By Microaggression
Bias isn’t always obvious — but its subtlest forms can hurt productivity and morale
An African-American employee is told that he “doesn’t sound black,” a Jewish employee hears that she “doesn’t look Jewish” and a gay staffer’s supervisor tells him he “doesn’t act gay.”
Those are real-life stories, according to several experts on workplace discrimination.
Independent Contractors and the Threats They Pose
Know the risks before you hire
Knowing the difference between employees and independent contractors becomes imperative when an injured customer or client decides to sue. When it comes to making the decision of hiring an independent contractor, do yourself and your business a favor: Do your research and protect yourself. Or, even better, consult with your lawyer.
Sweet, Sweet Reward
Celebrating team successes is essential to further productivity — and employee satisfaction
Thoughtful leaders build teams and environments where people get stuff done effectively. Celebrating the successful efforts of employees is a great way to encourage future successes. What else do celebrations reinforce?
When Your Doctor Is Your Chef
Some doctors now lead cooking classes for patients
Americans are growing increasingly conscious of their health, as diet-related conditions such as diabetes and heart disease remain stubbornly among the top causes of death in the U.S.
The Games He Plays
Toy Fusion owner Andrew Leung is determined to reopen his shop at a new location
David Sidie first discovered Toy Fusion on El Camino Avenue in Sacramento in 2003. He brought his son with him, and still remembers “the awesomeness of just seeing my son enjoy a piece of history.”
Rolling Out the Red Carpet
Placer County’s low unemployment rate owed to business-friendly climate
Placer County and its individual cities and towns portray themselves as one community that welcomes business. “That’s always been the case,” says Dave Snyder, director of economic development for Placer County. “We don’t look to wrap a new prospective business in a lot of red tape; we go out of the way to roll out the red carpet.”
You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby — Or Have You?
Women still face hurdles in the workplace
The “Women in the Workplace 2015” report, a joint effort of Sheryl Sandberg’s LeanIn.Org and global management consultant McKinsey & Company, also suggests women may be 25 years away from parity with their male colleagues at the senior vice president level and a full century away at the C-level (the top executive level).
Women’s Work
Four local leaders discuss their journeys to the top of male-dominated industries
Effective leaders don’t come from one mold. The women featured below have excelled in nontraditional industries due to their talent, vision, perseverance and the (sometimes unlikely) mentors who guided their trajectory. They shared their stories with us — where they started, their rise to leadership and their thoughts on mentoring the next generation of powerful women.
‘I’ll Never Retire’
Americans break record for working past age 65
Many Americans have more time to do what they want to do. With a rise in average life expectancy, a longer career doesn’t necessarily mean a shorter retirement.
Buzzwords: Parity
The complexities of wage parity are beyond equal pay for equal work
We’ll be hearing a whole lot of buzz about wage parity this year — in part because groundbreaking research conducted by New York University, University of Pennsylvania and the University of Haifa in Israel identifies flat-out gender bias as the elephant in the room affecting wage parity. This new study, titled “Occupational Feminization and Pay,” is the single most comprehensive study on wage parity in the U.S. to date.