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Overcoming Selection Buzzwords
When doing a job analysis or writing job descriptions, one of the terms that comes up that makes my hair stand on end is “multi-tasking.” While our bodies can perform automated functions simultaneously (e.g., driving and talking), our brains cannot consciously do two...
Is Age Discrimination a Result of Change?
A class-action age discrimination lawsuit has been filed against IBM. Much of the complaints in the action come from a report that purports to outline how the company has systematically replaced older workers with newer ones. IBM is denying the allegations. There...
Reducing Bias Through Structure
Finding examples of racial or gender bias in hiring or job evaluations is not hard. The latest comes from a survey of lawyers. My sense is that the results did not come from a random sample of attorneys, so I would not quote the group differences as gospel. The...
Leadership on the Hot Fly
If you have been keeping track of the US Open, you know that the extreme heat and humidity has affected the players. It has also tested the leadership and decision making skills of the tournament organizers as they try to keep the players safe, the competition fair,...
Who Should Identify and Develop the Non-College Workforce?
On some occasions I have mentioned that companies that need blue-collar workers are in a tough spot. Their jobs are not very sexy to the millennial or Gen Z workforces who prefer tech jobs. Also, because lifetime wages are significantly higher for jobs that require a...
Adapting to Changes in Job Duties
I wrote a couple of months ago about how McDonald’s is changing the cognitive requirements of some of its jobs by adding channels for customers to order food. I argued that such a development should get them thinking about who they hire and how they train new...
Selection When There Are More Jobs Than People
As the economy adds new jobs, some sectors are having a problem finding enough workers for them, including construction. This is regardless of the pay and benefits associated with the jobs. However, the same is true in other blue-collar sectors. This is not a shock to...
Escape Room Selection
Over the weekend I had a chance to go through an escape room (not as scary as it sounds). An escape room is a physical adventure game in which players solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints, and strategy to complete the objectives. This one was setup...
Adapting Selection Systems After the Robots Take Over
I am not sure that any HR futurist can tell us how many jobs will be displaced by automation over the next 5, 10, or 20 years. The answer is clearly more than zero. The latest example of this can be read here. The theme of the article is, “Really, a formula can make...
Ways That We Punish, Rather Than Coach, Poor Performers
During the 4th of July holiday, I was binge watching an Australian cooking competition show with my family. It was pretty mindless and entertaining stuff. The gist of each episode was that contestants competed in a theme-based challenge. One was selected as the best...
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