GreatWork Blog
Building better workplaces through compliance, culture, connection

Coronavirus and Employer Obligations: Your Questions Answered

Posted by: Caitlyn Egeck on Monday, March 16, 2020

With many Oregon employers wondering what their workplace obligations are in the wake of the Coronavirus Outbreak, abbreviated COVID-19, we developed some FAQS. Please keep in mind that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), along with local public health authorities, should be where employers turn for specific workplace safety guidance.

Are You Suffering From Impostor Syndrome?

Posted by: Alexis James on Monday, March 9, 2020

High achieving, highly successful people often suffer, so impostor syndrome doesn’t equate with low self-esteem or a lack of self-confidence. In fact, some researchers have linked it with perfectionism, and it is disproportionately experienced by women and people of color.

Tags: Reflection

Five Things You May Not Know About The Duck Store

Posted by: Braydee Mahan, The Duck Store on Monday, March 2, 2020

University of Oregon students know The Duck Store as their source for textbooks and other college essentials and Duck fans know us as their source for game day shirts and accessories. With a long history serving the campus community and beyond, we are both those things and more.

Making Pay Transparency Work

Posted by: Lindsay Hill, CCP, GRP, Director, Compensation Services on Monday, February 24, 2020

As laws tighten and awareness of pay equity continues, employers are faced more frequently with the pressure for pay transparency. Pay transparency is the degree to which employers are open about employee compensation in regards to what it is, how it is set and why.

Improvements on the Way for Cascade’s Nonprofit Pay and Benefit Survey

Posted by: McKenna Arnold, Survey and Research Manager on Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Cascade’s traditional Nonprofit Pay and Benefits Survey is being replaced with two separate surveys: Regional Pay Survey and Regional Benefits Survey. What does this mean for you, why is this an improvement and why should your participate now?

Body Odor? Handling Uncomfortable and Awkward Conversations at Work

Posted by: Bethany Wright on Tuesday, February 11, 2020
The first thing is to just remember to be sensitive to the person, as they may not know there is an issue. If an employee who you supervise brought up the issue, inform them that you will address the problem, and they should not try to handle the ...

Five Things You May Not Know About NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation

Posted by: Gayle Gilham, President on Monday, February 3, 2020

With more than 4500 members, this not-for-profit association – whose headquarters are now nestled in Corvallis, Oregon – was founded because dedicated recreation programs and facilities at institutions of higher learning inspire diverse and sustainable communities of wellbeing through the platform of inclusive recreation.

Why Partner with a Compensation Consultant?

Posted by: Lindsay Hill, CCP, GRP, Director, Compensation Services on Monday, January 27, 2020

Do you have compensation challenges and are unsure where to begin? Whether it’s quick compensation consulting or large projects, we are here to help!

2020 Survey Schedule and Pricing Now Available

Posted by: McKenna Arnold, Survey and Research Manager on Monday, January 20, 2020

2020 is here, and with it, a new round of surveys and quality data! Download our survey calendar for the year, including estimates for launch dates, close dates, when reports will be available, and pricing.

Tags: Survey

A Peek Into 2020 and a Training Gift for You and Your Organization

Posted by: Bill Swift on Monday, January 13, 2020

If you have anything to do with your organization’s training and professional development, here’s some stuff to make your new year go a whole lot smoother.

Tags: Training

Five Things You May Not Know About Gilbert House Children’s Museum

Posted by: Gayle Gilham, President on Monday, January 6, 2020

This nonprofit’s mission is to inspire children to learn through creative play. Did you know…

Happy Holidays From Us to You!

Posted by: Angela Bergerson on Monday, December 23, 2019
In observance of the holidays, the Cascade offices will be closed December 24, 25 and 31, and January 1. Our resolution for 2020 is to help great employers like you sleep better at night, knowing that you have a great team of HR experts ready to ...

Oregon Executives Report Business Trends for 2020

Posted by: McKenna Arnold, Survey and Research Manager on Monday, December 16, 2019

The Employer Associations of America’s 2020 National Business Trends Survey shares information on what executives are doing to address the changing business climate. 2020 is right around the corner and now is the time to plan smart!

Tags: Survey

The Business Case for Developing Emotional Intelligence

Posted by: Bill Swift on Monday, December 9, 2019

Does your workplace see empathy and sensitivity as a strength or a weakness? Our experience is that workplaces send clear messages, intentionally or unintentionally, about the importance of developing these skills.

Utilizing Psychometrics in Talent Optimization

Posted by: Alexis James on Monday, December 2, 2019

While the Behavioral Assessment is a fantastic coaching and professional development tool, it can also be used with PI’s Job Assessment to ensure that organizations hire individuals that are a natural fit for the role they need to fill. And with the Cognitive Assessment, a tool that measures how quickly someone learns, PI makes it much more likely that people will be successful (and stay longer!) in their new roles.

Tags: Strengths

Understanding Executive Compensation in the Unique World of Nonprofits

Posted by: Lindsay Hill, CCP, GRP, Director, Compensation Services on Monday, November 25, 2019

Nonprofits face many unique challenges when establishing executive compensation which oftentimes deals with issues like regulatory compliance, board governance, limited budgets and equitable pay across the organization. Nonprofits typically have a Board of Directors who have a financial responsibility when setting executive pay to ensure that it is fair and reasonable. This poses an ongoing challenge for many boards who are trying to be reasonable while either recruiting for top/key talent or retaining qualified and knowledgeable Executive Directors in nonprofits where the area of expertise is oftentimes very specialized.

Time to Dust Off Your Company’s Professional Development Plan

Posted by: Bill Swift on Monday, November 18, 2019

You’ve probably heard the one about the airline pilot who announced to his passengers the good news and bad news about their trip. Bad news – “We are lost.” Good news – “We are making very good time.”

Five Things You May Not Know About Transition Projects

Posted by: Gayle Gilham, President on Monday, November 11, 2019

For 50 years, this Portland area nonprofit has delivered life-saving and life-changing assistance to some of the City’s most vulnerable residents. Did you know…

Fall Activities to Engage Your Employees

Posted by: Bethany Wright on Monday, November 4, 2019
Cooler weather and shorter days can only mean one thing: Fall has arrived! Employees are getting used to layering up and carrying umbrellas to prepare for whatever weather may come. But what does that mean in the office? Sometimes those shorter days ...

Celebrating Your Great Workplaces…

Posted by: Gayle Gilham, President on Monday, October 21, 2019

At Cascade, we believe deliberate recognition is a sign of a great employer. And when a great employer gets recognized for being outstanding, we’d like to take a moment to congratulate them!

Dress Code Blues?

Posted by: Bethany Wright on Monday, October 7, 2019
Why can’t we wear leggings? Why can’t I color all of my hair bright pink? Why can’t we just wear jeans every day? I can’t afford to buy clothes just for work! Does any of that sound familiar? If so, it sounds like you are ...
Tags: Compliance

Five Things You May Not Know About Red Ridge Farms

Posted by: Gayle Gilham, President on Monday, September 30, 2019

From grapes to olives, to their award-winning end products, this 5th generation family farm leads the industry with a trailblazing spirit. Did you know…

Organization Development Certificate Program

Posted by: Jathan Janove, JD on Thursday, September 26, 2019

As President of the Oregon Organization Development Network, as a former labor and employment law attorney, and as current columnist for SHRM, “Putting Humanity Into HR Compliance,” I am especially excited about this opportunity for HR professionals to learn OD fundamentals:

Is Your Salary Market Data Accurate and Valid?

Posted by: Melanie Williams on Monday, September 23, 2019

Where does the salary market data you are using come from? Are the companies that participate in the data comparable to your organization? Who compiled the data and audited it for accuracy? When was the data pulled? All of these and more should be questions asked when using salary market data to inform your organizational pay practices.

Tags: Survey

Now’s The Time To Get Your HR Certification

Posted by: Angela Bergerson on Thursday, September 19, 2019
Have you been putting off getting your HR certification? Now is the time to do it! The HR Certification Institute (HRCI) is offering $75 off all exams through October 18, 2019. Use code APPLYNOW3. HRCI offers credentials for new HR professionals ...
Tags: Training

How Project Mistakes Teach Valuable Lessons – Ah, The Joys of Getting Stuff Done

Posted by: Bill Swift on Monday, September 16, 2019

Near panic, I began listing all the projects I had been in charge of over the years. Our instructor had suggested we review just how common project management is by creating a historical record of our own projects. Pen to paper, I was grinding out a history of, at best, mixed results. One pattern emerged, however: that of getting better over time and learning from mistakes.

Five Things You May Not Know About Buchanan Cellers

Posted by: Gayle Gilham, President on Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Housed in one of McMinnville’s oldest industrial/commercial buildings, and with tangible reminders of the City’s agricultural beginnings, this Cascade member provides a shopping experience that sets you back in time. Did you know…

2019 Nonprofit Pay & Benefits Survey – Key Findings

Posted by: McKenna Arnold, Survey and Research Manager on Monday, August 19, 2019

Cascade Employers Association is pleased to present key findings from the 2019 Nonprofit Pay and Benefits Survey report. Cascade’s Nonprofit Pay and Benefits survey is comprised of over 250 job descriptions and 100 benefit-related questions. This survey provides in-depth market pay and benefit data stemming from nonprofit organizations throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Retroactive Leniency – Is That a Thing?

Posted by: Bethany Wright on Monday, August 12, 2019
Your employee has had several unexcused absences in the last few months and is now being written up for their poor attendance. When you speak to the employee, they inform you that they have a disability and that occasionally they will miss work ...
Tags: Compliance

Five Things You May Not Know About Herb Pharm

Posted by: Gayle Gilham, President on Monday, August 5, 2019

With a mission to create the highest quality herbal extracts available, this southern Oregon company is committed to educating people on how to practice safe, effective herbalism. Did you know…

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