HR and Interviewing for a Startup
Timothy Holden of Pivotal Solutions posted a nice to-the-point piece on when exactly startups should start considering HR, particularly outsourced...
Commentary: The Young and Unemployed Falling Behind
Many business leaders, especially those in particular industries, may have recognized that there is no longer that baby-faced intern marching down...
Leadership, Mindfulness, and Relaxation
David Shindler, in a post for Critical Thinkers, elaborates on mindfulness for busy people. In his piece he discusses consideration of the past,...
What to Do When an Employee Quits
Koleen Singerline, of Hire Education Blog, has produced a check-list for a manager to keep in mind when an employee leaves their company. Beyond...
On Work/Life Balance
The ever-lasting debate between work and life came about in a recent post over at Ask a Manager. In this particular situation, a woman declined a...
Considering Employee Responsibility
Business leaders and managers look at an employee’s responsibilities as contributions towards a singular aim. It may be helpful to consider these...
The Good in HR
When HR is done well it sets up and protects the pieces of business necessary for success. It's really the first part of a business strategy....
Special Event: Panel Discussion with Oregon Business Leaders – Register Now!
Join us on October 9th at the Benson Hotel for a panel discussion with featured Oregon business leaders. Arrive a little early and enjoy networking...
Anne Donovan Featured in BizFlix Video
Xenium's President, Anne Donovan, was recently interviewed by BizFlix where she provided a testimony of their video production service. Check out...
Innovation and Organizational Culture
Developing the right innovation can be hard, but finding a way to merge it with the right organizational culture can be even trickier. Sharlyn...
Podcast: Critical HR Decision-making as a CFO
Jon Spencer, Principal, CFO & COO of Solutions YES, joins the Human Resources for Small Business podcast to discuss HR decision-making in a key...
Rejecting an Applicant Online
I am writing this as a college graduate who had to deal with joblessness for some time in this economy. Today, hiring representatives are regularly...
Trends in Employee Benefits
The SHRM has released a report on employee benefits trends in recent years. Some details were predictable (i.e. “financial and compensation benefits...
Poor Performance and Analysis
Sheri Mazurek wrote a brief piece at the Free Manamgement Library urging leaders to not jump to conclusions about their processes and systems...
New Position as of 9/12/12 – Human Resource Business Partner
Human Resource Business Partner Xenium is an HR consulting and employer services company committed to developing great employers. Xenium has proven...
Why Do People Leave?
According to Erika Andersen, contributor at Forbes, high performers “leave an organization when they’re badly managed and the organization is...
Trend: Family Responsibility Discrimination
At times a supervisor may not see or understand an employee's responsibility to their family. A business leader must be mindful of these facts of...
Book Review: Fierce Conversations
Each book the Xenium Book Club reads has an educational and professional purpose. Up to this point, we have examined how to build trust within...
On Criminal Background Checks
According to a survey by the SHRM, many employers care about an applicant's criminal history even more than expected. While the discovery of an...
Consider Your Expectations
In a post over at Ask a Manager a woman describes her difficulty in coping with her husband's intense work schedule at a small business. She writes...
Numbers on Credit Background Checks
Due to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, employers are permitted to acquire a consumer report surrounding the credit history of an applicant or current...
Podcast: Romantic Relationships in the Workplace
Lacey Halpern, Human Resource Account Representative of Xenium HR joins the Human Resources for Small Business podcast for a conversation on the...
Building Connections With Your Employees
The retention of talent is an issue many companies are facing. This can be due to overwork, lack of supportive culture, or the growing number of...
Holding Employees Accountable
One of the most important traits of a successful manager is his or her ability to hold their employees accountable and to encourage them to...
Leaders Learning From Others
Ben Eubanks of upstartHR recently shared a piece of advice he had received from his former manager. This wisdom? "Become the smartest person in the...
Shared Positive Experiences Enhance Culture
With the Olympics having ended earlier this month, research looking back on the impact of the experience is emerging. And some of this research...
Doing Good Without Getting Punished
From Barran Liebman on August 23, 2012: "After reading the Sixth Circuit's decision in Kroll v. White Lake Ambulance Authority, Case No. 10-2348...
How to Make Your Wellness Plan Work
The needs for successful wellness programs vary tremendously depending on the industry and position, but some simple methods remain true for every...
Worst Reasons for Taking a Job?
In my weekly Quora digest, I saw a topic we might all be interested in. The title? "Career Advice: What are the worst reasons for taking a job?" To...
Key Traditional Interview Questions
There are a number of traditional questions an interviewer is expected to ask and which an interviewee should be expected to answer. Unfortunately,...
New Opportunity at Xenium – Part-time Onsite HR Position in Hillsboro, OR
Xenium has a great, new opportunity in the HR field that is part-time and flexible. The main focus in this position will be HR process...
Thinking About the Panel Interview
The panel interview can be an incredibly helpful tool to use to receive a better understanding of a candidate. Multiple perceptions are revealed...
NLRB Interferes with Employers Workplace Investigations
From Barran Liebman on August 7, 2012: "In the latest effort to expand labor law rights, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled that simply...
Employers Contributing to Employee Success
The employer needs to drive both older and newer employees to guarantee the success of their business. Such motivation ideally should not only work...
Form I-9 to Expire on August 31, 2012
From Roy Maurer at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) on 8/14/12 "The current Employment Eligibility Verification Form, commonly...
Help Xenium Support the KGW School Supply Drive During August
Once again, during August, Xenium is hosting a supply barrel to collect school supplies for the Portland Public School district and Schoolhouse...
Commentary: How to Be a Great Manager
In a blog post by Zeke Camusio, of The Outsourcing Company, he writes that “managing people is the most difficult thing I’ve done in my life.” He then offers some of the lessons about managing employees he learned during years of owning and operating small businesses.
HR Helps the Bottom Line
In an article in the Houston Chronicle, Ruth Mayhew of Demand Media writes that for small businesses HR can “add to the bottom line through...
Podcast: Going 'Lean' as a Non-Manufacturing Company – Part 2
Richard Coley, CEO of CFS Consulting Group, joins the Human Resources for Small Business podcast for a conversation on “Going Lean as...
The Growing Role of Supplemental Insurance Policies
Lisa Zamosky, of Reuters, elaborates, on the rising popularity of supplementary insurance (“overall sales rose 11 percent between 2011 and 2012” as...
Understanding Under-Performing Employees
In “Confronting Poor Performers: 6 Tips for Managers,” for Business Management Daily, the author expands on how business leaders can approach...
Upcoming Special Event: Developing a Culture of Honesty and Integrity
Culture is a key driver in determining the success or failure of an organization. As such, it is critical that culture be built on a foundation of...
Book Review: Lead by Greatness
Lead by Greatness: How Character Can Power Your Success by David Lapin, rabbi and CEO of Lapin International, identifies corporations which foster...
From Simplicity to Complexity
Mark Bennett, Product Strategy Director for Oracle Fusion Network at Work and Profile Management, wrote a post over at Talented Apps entitled,...
Disciplinary Action Checklist
Disciplinary action in the workplace can be described as a necessary evil when we are unable to prevent harassment, bullying, and other issues. In...
Xenium Sponsors Technology Association of Oregon Golf Tournament at Langdon Farms
In July, Xenium sponsored the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) golf tournament at Langdon Farms. The Xenium hole sponsorship was all fun and...
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The ADA and Extending Courtesy
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines ways in which businesses must better accommodate disabled employees and customers and provides...
Podcast: Going 'Lean' as a Non-Manufacturing Company – Part 1
Richard Coley, CEO of CFS Consulting Group, joins the Human Resources for Small Business podcast for a conversation on “Going Lean as ...
Employee Recognition Programs are a Recession-Friendly Alternative to Raises
Though the economy is finally starting to stabilize, many small to medium sized businesses are still struggling to implement employee recognition...
"Thank You": Non-Monetary Bonuses
Companies are looking to to better develop employee recognition, ultimately leading to retention of talent. Such efforts often include non-monetary...